This General Accounting Office (GAO) report on employment competencies for youth in programs funded under title II-A of the Job Training Partnership Act describes the extent and nature of youth employment competency training systems implemented as of June 30, 1985, and assesses the adequacy of competency attainment data available to States to evaluate the effectiveness of local programs. It contains recommendations to the Secretary of Labor and to the Congress. Results indicate that most local programs have some youth competency system, but these are locally determined and can vary substantially. Competency areas differ, attainment criteria differ, and data for a competency standard are lacking. Therefore States need performance standards that are adjusted to account for differences in competency systems. Incentive awards could discourage, not encourage, provision of the training many youths need. If a competency standard is established, GAO believes it should measure local programs' success in increasing the employability of youth--which requires data on the extent to which all youth in competency training attained competencies. Appendixes cover evaluation techniques, demographic data, program descriptions, and comments from the Department of Labor and Office of Management and Budget. (PS)