Time to train: request time at work to learn new skills :Cross Stitch – Employment

Find out about the right employees have to request time to undertake study or training (also known as ‘time to train’). If you qualify for the right and want to make a request, you should follow the steps explained in these pages.

If you are an employee and you work in an organisation with 250 or more employees you have the statutory (legal) right to request time for study or training. This right is known as ‘time to train’.

You do not have to use the right for every training request. If you already have a system with your employer for making training requests you can continue to use that.

To make a statutory request for ‘time to train’ you must:

• be an employee
• have worked for your employer continuously for at least 26 weeks before you apply

You will not be able to make a request for ‘time to train’ if you are:

• an agency worker
• a member of the armed forces
• compulsory school age (‘school age’ in Scotland)
• a young person who already has a statutory right to paid time off to undertake study or training
• 16-18 years old and already expected to take part in education or training

If you are not happy with your employer’s decision, there is an appeal process you can follow. If you are still not happy after that, there are further steps you can take. However, it is always best to try to resolve problems with your employer informally.