Rights to training

06-04-2010

From the 6th April 2010 employees in businesses with more than 250 staff have a legal right to request time off to take up relevant training under the Time to Train legislation. This right will be extended to employees of all businesses by April 2011.

Skills Minister Kevin Brennan said: “We need to empower people to speak about training opportunities and the benefits they can bring to a business’ success. Many companies and organisations are very good at training their staff, but we need to make sure that all businesses are advising employees on what is on offer.

“This is where a regulation like Time to Train will be able to help people. It will give them the confidence to ask about training and skills, allowing them to take control of their own careers.”

The legal right will allow employees to request time to undertake relevant study or training that employers are required to consider seriously. The training should improve the employee’s effectiveness in their job and contribute to improved business performance and productivity. Employers are not obliged to approve every request - they can be turned down if there is a good business reason to do so.

The legislation was included in the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act, which received Royal Assent in November 2009.

Guidance for employers on the new right was published in January and is available through www.businesslink.gov.uk/timetotrain and guidance for employees has been made available at www.direct.gov.uk/timetotrain