WIREDGOV

GUIDANCE is today being published to inform employers about the new right for employees to request time for training.

The guidance for employers is being made available through Business Link and is being published 12 weeks before the right comes in on 6 April 2010.

Guidance is also being published today on the DirectGov website to inform employees about how they make a request under this new right.

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

The introduction of the right will be phased and will be made available to employees in organisations with 250 or more employees from April 2010 before being extended to all employees from April 2011. This will give smaller organisations and businesses more time to prepare for the introduction of the new right.

Notes to Editors

The guidance for employers on the right to time to train is available on the Business Link website: www.businesslink.gov.uk/timetotrain.The guidance for employees on the right to time to train is available on the DirectGov website: www.direct.gov.uk/timetotrain.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

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