Really Useful Information

Time to Train

From April 2010, people who work for organisations with 250 or more staff will be given the legal right to request time off work to study or train.

The new "time to train" statutory right, which will be introduced on April 6, will then be extended to all organisations from April 6, 2011, regardless of the number of staff.

Open to those who have worked continuously for at least 26 weeks (but not agency workers, 16 to 18­year-olds or those who already have a statutory right to paid time off to pursue study or training), "time to train" gives staff the right to request training  leading to a qualification

• Training to help develop skills relevant to the job or business. While there is no time limit for the study or training, the important requirement is that the training will help improve business performance and your effectiveness in your employer's operation.
• The training could be in an area directly related to the type of work the person is currently doing or something that will help the person progress within the organisation or in a different area.

Of course requests have to be reasonable and the employer does not have to fund the cost of the training.

For more information visit www.direct.gov.uk