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date: 14 May 2008
embargo: Immediate release
TUC welcomes new right to request time off for training
Responding to proposals announced today (Wednesday) for a new right to request time off work for training and the expansion of apprenticeships, Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Roger McKenzie said:
'A new right to request training is very welcome. Employers agree nine out of ten requests for flexible working, and if they respond as positively on training it could help millions improve their skills and boost productivity.
'This will pose a real challenge to those employers who neglect training, and give unions an important role in helping individuals to shape their requests to learn new skills.
'The new commitment to increase apprenticeships is also extremely welcome, though employers will need to raise their game if it is to be fully realised.'
Chair of the TUC unionlearn board Billy Hayes said:
'As Chair of unionlearn I welcome this important announcement which will give more than 20 million workers the right to request all kinds of training - from basic skills to professional training. This new right will encourage good employers and challenge the worst to provide more training opportunities for all their workers.
'It could do a lot to tackle the one in three employers who still offer no training at all and move the UK up the skills league tables. Unionlearn will be working hard to help union learning reps accompany and advise their members about this new right, such as how to frame requests and what to ask for.
'This will not only help workers gain new skills for work but also for their own personal development, which can be just as valuable to employers and society in the longer term.'
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- unionlearn is the TUC's skills and learning organisation.
- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk
- Register for the TUC's press extranet: a service exclusive to journalists wanting to access pre-embargo releases and reports from the TUC. Visit www.tuc.org.uk/pressextranet
- A series of TUC rights leaflets are available on our website and from the know your rights line 0870 600 4 882. Lines are open every day from 9am-9pm. Calls are charged at the national rate.
Contacts:
Media enquiries: Roger McKenzie, T: 0121 262 6383; M: 07879 497 291;
E: rmckenzie@tuc.org.uk; Alan Weaver, T: 0121 262 6383; M: 07771 778 694;
Press release (400 words) issued 14 May 2008
