Time to Train Regulations will not be extended this April to employees of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs).
The Regulations, which offer employees the right to request time for training, have been available to employees of large organisations (those with 250 or more employees) since April 2010.
Time to Train operates on a similar basis to the right to request flexible working. Employees are entitled to request time to undertake work relevant training, which employers must formally consider. Employers are entitled to refuse the request if one of a number of acceptable business reasons applies.
The Regulations were due to be extended to employees of SMEs in April this year, but the Government has today confirmed that it is “taking further time to examine the potential impact of the Regulations on smaller firms”.
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 and the need to minimise the burden of regulation for smaller companies. We have delayed implementation to allow further, thorough discussion, scrutiny and evaluation.”
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