Giving young workers time off for study or training

Current legislation gives young people aged 16 to 17 the right to time off for study or training. This allows young workers to upgrade their qualifications to NVQ level 2, which in turn will improve their skills and help your business to be more competitive.

What does the legislation mean for employers?

Any of your employees aged 16 to 17 yet to achieve the standard of an NVQ level 2, can take reasonable paid time off work to continue their studies. They can study in the workplace, through open learning or distance learning. However, it is most likely to be at college or with a recognised training provider. They may be able to claim support to cover the costs of training through the Learning & Skills Council at External link: www.lsc.gov.uk

Health & Safety

When employing a young person it is possible that you will be their first employer and it is reasonable to expect that their awareness of health & safety issues in the workplace will be limited or non-existent. Therefore it is vital that you introduce the importance of health & safety at work to them from the start of their employment.

Risk Assessments

When recruiting a 16 or 17 year old you are required by law to carry out a risk assessment of the job and their workplace. This is done to identify any problem areas that could harm a young person.

Pay

When considering what to pay a new employee we would encourage you to pay them the going rate for the job irrespective of their age. You should take into account their experience and trainee level.

National Minimum Wage

This is the minimum amount you are required to pay an employee by law depending on age and whether or not the employee is on a recognised training programme such as an Apprenticeship.

Links to further information

• Visit the time off for study or training website External link: www.dfes.gov.uk/tfst
• Contact your local Connexions Centre
• Health & Safety Executive (HSE) External link: www.hse.gov.uk
• Practical advice for businesses from Business Link External link: www.businesslink.gov.uk
• Information from Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) about employing young workers External link: www.rospa.org.uk
• Minimum wage information at External link: www.dti.gov.uk/er/nmw or call 0845 6000 678
• Department for Trade & Industry External link: www.dti.gov.uk
• Inland Revenue External link: www.hmrc.gov.uk
• Equal Pay – information from ACAS External link: www.acas.org.uk