Government issues guidance on right to request training

18 January 2010

As from 6 April 2010, employees will have the right to request time for training.

The government has published guidance for employers on the regulation.

The right to request time to train was included in the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act, which received Royal Assent in November 2009.

The implementation of the new regulation is to be phased in over the next year.

It will apply to organisations with 250 or more employees as from April 2010 before being extended to all employees from April 2011.

Kevin Brennan, the Skills Minister, said: “Now, more than ever, we need learning and training opportunities in place that empower people to gain the skills and training they need to get on.

“Many businesses and organisations are really good at training their staff and already recognise the benefits of having a highly skilled and motivated workforce. While two-thirds of businesses do train their staff, we need to encourage employers and employees who do not to speak about training opportunities.”

The guidance for employers can be found at www.businesslink.gov.uk/timetotrain