16-17 year olds "Right to time off for study or training"

Keeping abreast of the latest changes to employment legislation is not easy, particularly if you are a smaller company.

Laws can change so quickly that it's no wonder employers are left confused.

That's why South Lanarkshire Economic Development felt it appropriate to raise the issue of new legislation that came into being on September 1st last year.

The 'right to time off for study or training' legislation for 16 and 17 year olds is contained in Part III of the Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998, which amends the Employment Rights Act 1996.

It requires employers to allow certain young employees - those who have not achieved a certain standard in their education or training - paid time off to study or train for a relevant qualification.

The young people eligible for this right to time off must be:

aged 16 or 17

not receiving full-time secondary or further education · have not achieved a certain standard of education or training, or

can be 18 who are in the process of completing study or training they have already begun

There are no exemptions to the rules all firms must adhere to the new legislation, including small businesses.

Companies should also note that there is no qualifying period for the young employees, they can take up their "right to time off" straight away.

Annmarie Weir of South Lanarkshire's Vocational Training Network, said: "These new rules will benefit both the employee and the employer The young person will be able to go into higher education or training while still earning a wage. They will also, hopefully come away with new educational or vocational qualifications which will improve their employment options. Meanwhile, the employer will have a worker with new or improved skills and increased motivation for the job."

Trainees must work to a set standard of achievement'. Set out in the Right to Time Off for Study or Training (Scotland) Regulations 1999 (SI 199 No 1058), the standards set out how much time a trainee can get off for study or training and what qualifications he or she should seek to get.

Annmarie continued: "The young person will be able to work towards their 'standard of achievement' at their own pace.

'Training doesn't just have to take place at a college or in school. It can be done in the workplace on the job, elsewhere on site, with a training provider, with another employer or through a combination of them all. This really is a very flexible way of allowing a young person access to study"

To obtain copies of Right to Time Off for Study or Training (Scotland) Regulations 1999 (SI 199 No 1058) and the Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998 (Pant III Right to Time of for Study or Training), contact the Stationery Office Parliamentary hotline on 0345 023474

further information on eligibility, qualifications and study/training opportunities can be obtained from your local Careers Office information on training and qualifications, such as SVQs, can be obtained from the Vocational Training Network on 01355 241644 and your local enterprise trust

for further information on SVQs, contact the Scottish Qualifications Authority, Hanover House, 24 Douglas Street, Glasgow (tel: 0141 248 7900 website: http://www.sqa org.uk) a list of national training organisations can be obtained from SCONTO, 28 Castle Street, Edinburgh EH2 3HT (tel: 0131 226 7726)

local enterprise network contacts

Return to Magazine Index

Site Map