Time to Train - Extension of the right to request training delayed

Time to Train - Extension of the right to request training delayed - Study or training requests will not be extended to all employees in April 2011

The Government announced, on Feb 16th 2011, that the right to make a request in relation to study or training will not be extended from 6 April 2011 to employees in organisations with fewer than 250 employees / employees of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). 

The statutory "Time to Train" right has been available to employees in organisations with 250 or more employees since it was introduced on 6 April 2010, under the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has decided to delay extending the right to employees in smaller businesses to allow for "further thorough discussion, scrutiny and evaluation". It is not known when the extension will be implemented, as it is "taking further time to examine the potential impact of the Regulations on smaller firms".

Qualifying employees can make a request to their employer for the purpose of enabling them to undertake study or training. This is not limited to requests for time off for training, but could include, for example, a request for the employer to fund courses and training or to provide in-house training. Employers are not obliged to agree to requests but must give them serious consideration through a prescribed procedure set out in the legislation. To qualify for the right, an employee must have been employed continuously by the employer for at least 26 weeks. 

In announcing the delay, BIS stated that the importance of providing support for training had to be balanced against "the need to minimise the burden of regulation for smaller companies".

However, Minister for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, John Hayes, said: "It is vital to the economy and individuals that everyone has access to the training they need. That is why we are investing in apprenticeships, protecting adult and community learning, and freeing colleges to respond to local needs."

"But it is vital that the right balance is struck between support for training thus we have delayed implementation to allow further, thorough discussion, scrutiny and evaluation."

The Findcourses.co.uk team keeps up-to-date on all regulations with regards to Time to Train, with the aim of keeping both employers and employees in the know of their rights to training, learning and development. We will be posting more information as and when we receieve it.

> Read our guide to Time to Train for employers and employees