Confirming extension of time for next step of time off for training request

Use this letter to confirm an extension of time with regard to a stage of the right to train request procedure.  Most procedural time limits under the right to request time off for training can be extended by agreement. If a time extension is agreed, you must make a dated written record of the extension.

Who has a statutory right to make a request to train?

Eligible employees who work in businesses that employ 250 or more employees have a statutory right to request time off for the purposes of study or training.  

Employees’ requests can be to undertake accredited training programmes leading to a qualification, or for unaccredited training to help them develop specific skills relevant to their job or your business. The provisions are flexible as to the type and manner of training.  For example, it can be undertaken at your premises or elsewhere, while performing the employee’s job duties or separately, can be provided or supervised by you or externally by a third party such as a local college, can be undertaken without supervision (e.g. e-learning), can be accredited or unaccredited and it need not be intended to lead to the award of a recognised qualification.  There is also no limit on the amount of time or training that an employee may request, and they may include more than one course of training in one request.

To make a statutory time to train request, an employee must:

• have worked for you for a continuous period of at least 26 weeks at the date of request
• subject to limited exceptions, not have made another application for time to train during the previous twelve months.

Some groups do not have the right to request time to train including agency workers, children of compulsory school age and young people aged 16 to 18 years old who are already under a duty to participate in education or training.

Use our Time to Train Application Form to ensure that the employee includes the required information when making their request.

Time extension

Where you agree an extension of time with the employee to one of the procedural stages under the statutory scheme, use our Confirming Extension of Time for Next Step of Time Off for Training Request. Most procedural time limits under the statutory scheme can be extended by agreement between the parties. If a time extension is agreed, you must then make a dated written record of the extension.