UK: Training and development

Updating author: Jo Broadbent, Hogan Lovells International LLP

Original author: Darren Newman

See the legal services provided by the updating author of International > United Kingdom, including any discounts/offers for subscribers.

Summary

• There is no legal requirement for employers to provide employees with vocational training and the provision of vocational training is generally at employers' discretion. However, employers must provide employees with health and safety training. (See General)
• Employees who have at least 26 weeks' continuous employment at an organisation with 250 or more employees have the right to make a "request" in relation to study or training. Employers are not obliged to grant such requests, but may refuse them only on certain grounds. (See Requests in relation to study or training)
• Employees who act as trade union officials or "learning representatives", health and safety representatives or occupational pension scheme trustees are entitled to a reasonable amount of paid time off for training-related purposes. (See Time off for training)
• Apprenticeships have traditionally been based on "contracts of apprenticeship" with distinctive features, but are now predominantly "modern" apprenticeships based on "apprenticeship agreements", whereby there is essentially a normal employment relationship between the employer and apprentice. (See Apprenticeships)