Skills shortages and the new right to request time to train

More than half of employers say that union-led learning activity has led to an improvement of the qualifications of their workforce. As a result nine out of ten want to continue to support union projects; with two-thirds saying that their organisation had benefited and eight in ten saying the individual had benefited.

The findings, from a new report by Leeds University, which includes a survey of 415 employers, also show that union-led learning projects improved morale in the workplace and relations between management and staff. More than 70 per cent said that it increased demand for learning among those with poor basic skills and 28 per cent said it increased demand among those with high-level skills.

Unionlearn’s greatest asset is its army of union learning reps (ULRs). Since 1999, more than 23,000 reps have been trained to act as advocates, encouraging and advising their colleagues on the advantages of improving their skills. But one of the biggest hurdles to workplace learning has been the securing of time off for staff to take part in courses.

That is why unionlearn is supporting the new right for employees to request time off work for training. The right is popular with workers; a unionlearn poll found that over two fifths say they would be likely to use it. This included a third of employees who say that they currently receive no training. A TUC analysis of Labour Force Survey data, shows that those in most in need of help to improve their skills are the least likely to get it; fewer than 1 in 10 without a qualification are offered regular training. The government has estimated that up to a million workers may get new training opportunities, in the next three years, as a result of the new right. Employees can ask for time off for training leading to qualifications or to develop skills relevant to their job. This could include, for example, courses such as English for Speakers of Other Languages. Under the law, employers will be able to turn down such a request only when there is a sound business reason.

Why is it so important? The National Strategic Skills Audit by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills found that while there is an unprecedented increase in the number of people with qualifications, the number of people reported as ‘not fully proficient’ at their jobs has increased by 400,000 from 1.3 million in 2005 to 1.7 million in 2009. And, it found, there are still serious skills shortages, particularly in high-level and technical skills and leadership. At the other end of the spectrum, there are far too many people without the basic skills needed as a first step career progression

So if you or your colleagues believe they have a case for more training, tell them: all they have to do is ask. Unionlearn will help them put the question.

Tom Wilson is director of unionlearn, the TUC’s learning and training organisation.

May 2010