Time Off for Study or Training
You are not obliged to offer training- though it has been proven that the benefits of well trained staff include improved work performance, staff retention rates and flexibility in the workplace.
However, the Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998 provides some young people with the right to paid time off for study or training.
Should a young person aged under 18 (and in some cases between 18-24) have less than 5 GCSEs A-C, or equivalent, they are entitled by law to reasonable “Time off for Study or Training”.
Who is eligible?
- Employees aged 16 or 17
- Not in full time secondary or further education
- Who have not achieved a qualification at NVQ level 2
- 18 year olds will be entitled to complete study or training they have already begun
Level 2 means
- 5 GCSEs grades A-C or
- An NVQ level 2 or
- An intermediate GNVQ, or a BTEC First, or another specified qualification
“Time off” could mean day release to college, block release, workplace training, training with a training provider or open or distance learning. There are no fixed rules, but account needs to be taken of the requirements of the study or training, the circumstances of the business of the employer and the effect the employee’s time off would have on the running of the business.
You can find further information on the Department for Children Schools and Families website at http://www.dfes.gov.uk/tfst/
For further information and advice about the right to time off for study or training, contact the Vacancy Services Team.
Tel FREEPHONE 0800 028 4723 9am to 5pm Monday- Friday
Email: vst@connexions-gmerseyside.co.uk
