Workers to be given right to request training

The Government has today outlined plans to give workers in England the right to request time off for training relevant to their employment.

An estimated 300,000 extra people could receive training if the new legislation is implemented as expected by 2010.

It is thought the new entitlement will apply to all employees who have worked for their employer for 26 weeks, with requests likely to be treated in a similar way to those for flexible working.

The new legal right would not force employers to grant requests, providing they could justify the refusal on business grounds and discussed the issue with the individual.

Launching the consultation into how the new right will work, John Denham, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills claimed that employers who do not train staff ‘run real risks with their businesses.’

‘Investment in skills is key to ensuring we come through with a stronger economy and making sure individuals can make the most of their abilities,’ he said.

‘We need to find new ways to bring the drive for skills into every workplace and to every worker which is why we are consulting on a new right for workers to request time to train.’

Currently one third of employers do not provide training for their staff, leaving eight million employees without any training every year.