>> In Work or Training >> Guide to Rights & Responsibilities >> TFST

The Right to Time Off for Study or Training means employers must allow young employees, who have not yet reached a certain standard in their education/training, reasonable, paid, time off to study or train for a qualification that will help them to reach that standard.

The training or study must be useful for your job and can take place in the workplace, at college, with a training provider or elsewhere.

You must:

• be aged 16 or 17
  
• not be in full-time, secondary or further education
  
• not yet have got 5 GCSEs at grades A*-C or BTEC First, OCR Level 2 or VQ Level 2
  

You can then:

• be paid for time off to study during working hours
  
• study or train for a qualification related to your job
  
• take advantage of the 'right to complete' study or training if you are aged 18

Some important information:

• Time off is your employment right, it is not a scheme
  
• There is no qualifying period
  
• Small firms must also offer you the chance to study if you are eligible
  
• Money for education and training costs is usually available

Anyone 18 and over:
From 6 April 2011, everyone will have the right to ask for time off to study or train if you are:

• an employee who has worked for their employer for 26 weeks without a break in employment
• not a member of the Armed Forces
• not an agency worker
  

You can get advice from:

TFST (Time off For Study or Training) on the Connexions Direct website
www.connexions-direct.com

Time to Train
www.direct.gov.uk/employment

Pay & Employment Rights Service website
www.pers.org.uk