Difference between "Works Faster" and "Train Faster"

[Ashina]

Works faster means that the building is working Faster.
one example is for the Hun Light Cavalry.
their Stables work 20% Faster means that every 1 Second = 1.2 Second of Work.
so if the Light Cavalry Training time is 30 Second, the Hun can create them in 30 : 1.2 = 25 Seconds.
Paired up with Franks Chivalry tech it will become 60% Faster, which mean 1 second = 1.6 Second per Hussars.
and that will make the 30 Second into 18.75 Second per Light Cavalry.

Trains faster means that the unit training time is cut by the percentages, one such example is in AoM and AoE3, where Musketeer is trained in 30 Second and with the Standing army tech it will reduce the training time by 25%, so it will train in 30 x 0.75 = 22.5 Seconds.

So to the question.
is Conscription makes Building "Works Faster", or unit "Trains Faster"?

[Wafflesaurus Supreme]

Conscription makes units train faster.

"Work" faster also affects technology research times.

[Jagulars]

Things that get faster by reduction (meaning the smaller the values, the faster the things happen) are tech research time, unit train time, unit reload time (attack speed is a misleading term. Even sword-swingers have to "reload") and some other irrelevant variables in this context such as frame duration in graphics.

Things that get faster by increase are movement speed, rotation speed, productivity (the mayan civ bonus), faith recharge rate, garrison heal rate and work rate which means trebuchet packing speed, villager gathering speed, or building production speed. Note that if you increase work rate for buildings, the techs and units produced in those buildings happen faster but if you increase the time required for individual units, unit classes or techs, they happen slower. This may cause confusion.

Conclusion: The latter is straightforward. Increase of 20% means 20% faster rate but for the former, if the text claims an increase of infantry creation speed by 20%, then actually 20% is cut from the time span of required unit train time.

[Fanta Morgana]

By the way, do Persians age up faster as well, as their town centers work faster?

[NokGobstompa]

Yes, Persian age up goes faster. Remember that the bonus starts in Fuedal age, so the Dark age up-time is the same.

Saves 13 secs going from Feudal to Castle, and 28 going from Castle to Imperial.