Time to Train
Launch date: 18 June 2008
Closing date: 10 September 2008
Expected date of response: Late 2008
This consultation is now closed
Summary
Investing in talent is one of the most powerful things we can do to improve business productivity and performance, and ensure that our nations' employers - and our economy as a whole - can compete with the best in the world. Investing in talent is equally important if we are to build a society where everyone has the opportunity to rise as far as their talents will take them, to improve their lives and those of their families.
In the last decade, we have made real progress in driving up the nation's skills, supported by significant investment from Government and from employers - who invest some £38bn in training for their employees each year. But despite that progress, too many adults still struggle with low or out-of-date skills; one third of employers do not train their staff; and 8m employees in England go without training every year. We must tackle these skills challenges head-on if we want to secure a prosperous future for our economy, and a just one for our society.
Successful employers see up-skilling and re-skilling of the workforce as one of the most powerful things they can do to drive their businesses forward. We need to create a culture in which every employer takes that view; and one in which individuals see improving their skills as one of the most powerful things they can do to help them realise their career aspirations and improve their lives.
This consultation seeks views on proposals to give employees in England a right to a serious conversation with their employer about their skills development. This new right would help encourage and support adults to develop their skills and rise as far as their talent will take them. And, by helping to raise their employees' awareness and aspirations in relation to skills, the proposed right would support and encourage employers to invest in the skills of their employees as a driver of future business performance.
We would like to invite everyone with an interest in how time to train is taken forward - employers, individuals and representative bodies - to send us your comments. The specific questions we want to explore and debate are listed in the consultation document and the response form. We look forward to hearing your views on the proposals.
