For the first time
employees will have the right to request time for study or
training after legal changes come into effect today.
Time to Train will give workers in businesses which employ more
than 250 people the legal right to request time off to take up
relevant training.
The right will be made available to all employees from April
2011. This phased approach will give smaller organisations and
businesses more time to prepare for the introduction of the new right.
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 Business Link. Guidance for employees has
been made available on the DirectGov website.
Notes to Editors.
1. The guidance for employers on the right to time to train is
available on the Business Link website:
www.businesslink.gov.uk/timetotrain .
2. The guidance for employees on the right to time to train is
available on the DirectGov website:
www.direct.gov.uk/timetotrain .
3. The right to time to train was brought in when the
Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act received Royal
Assent on 12 November 2009. Press notice available to read here:
http://nds.coi.gov.uk/clientmicrosite/content/Detail.aspx?ReleaseID=408558&NewsAreaID=2&ClientID=431
4. The right to time to train will apply across Great Britain –
England, Wales and Scotland.
Department for Business, Innovation & Skills
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is
building a dynamic and competitive UK economy by: creating the
conditions for business success; promoting innovation, enterprise
and science; and giving everyone the skills and opportunities to
succeed. To achieve this it will foster world-class universities
and promote an open global economy. BIS - Investing in our future.
Contacts:
BIS Press Office
NDS.BIS@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Joanna Fletcher
Phone: 020 7215 5951
Joanna.Fletcher@bis.gsi.gov.uk