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Training you can ask for

Under your 'time to train' right, you can request:

• training leading to a qualification
• training to help you develop skills relevant to your job, workplace or business
  

There is no time limit for the length of time that the study or training may take.

The most important requirement is that the training you want will help improve business performance and your effectiveness in your employer's business.

The training could be:

• in an area directly related to the type of work you are currently doing
• something that will help you progress within the business
• something that will help you progress in a different area

For example, you could decide that you need to improve your English because it is your second language. If doing this will help your performance in your employer's business, you could make a request for an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) course.

You can request training delivered in a number of ways. For example, training which is:

• undertaken on your employer's premises or elsewhere, including at your home, for example e-learning
• delivered whilst you are working or separately, for example on-the-job training
• provided or supervised by your employer or by someone else, for example a course run by a college or other training provider
• with or without someone supervising you
• within or outside the UK
  
  

• Training and learning for work (education and learning section)

• e-learning (education and learning section)

Requesting more than one type of training

You can make a request for more than one type of training in the same request. For example, you may have some basic literacy needs and following training for those, you also want to request a course in another area. Both types of training could be included in the one request and your employer should consider both.

If you request more than one type of training you should be confident that your request is reasonable. For example, it may be more difficult for your employer to accept a request if the amount of time you propose to spend training is substantial. A reasonable and carefully considered request is more likely to be accepted.

Paying for the training

Your employer does not have to meet the costs of the training (eg tuition fees). However, if they recognise the benefit of the training to their business they may decide to pay for it.

When you discuss your request with your employer you should make it clear if you are asking your employer to pay for the training. Your employer can then discuss this with you and consider it at the same time as discussing your request.

Salary during training

In many cases employers may pay you for the training time, but the new right does not require them to.

Your employer might propose that your study or training is unpaid or that you work flexibly to make up the time you spend training. In some cases your employer may ask you to change your employment contract to reflect any new arrangements.

There are different rules where training time is treated as working time for National Minimum Wage and Working Time Regulations purposes. Your employer will need to consider these when deciding how your training time should be taken.

• The National Minimum Wage

• Working hours