How to apply for development learning/qualifications

Developmental learning/qualifications can be defined as:

Any learning/qualification which, although completion may assist the employee develop personally and/or professionally, is not required to allow the employee to perform effectively in their current role.

This includes:

  • Learning/qualifications which will assist an individual to gain the knowledge, skills or attitude required of a role other than their current role.

  • Learning/qualifications which allow an individual to develop personally and/or professionally and, although it may improve their performance in the current role, it is not required to allow them to perform the current role to the required standard.

The amount of financial support offered to individuals for developmental learning/qualifications is at the discretion of the Line Manager.

Line Managers will ensure that the employee is advised whether the learning/training is classed as "Approved" or "Developmental" before the learning/training commences and will ensure fairness and equality of opportunity in making these decisions.

The amount of time off to attend training offered to individuals for Developmental learning/qualifications is also at the discretion of the line manager, subject to the following:

The Employee Rights Act 1996, section 63D provides that, from April 2010, employees have the right to request "time to train". Employees can make requests for time to undertake any training which they believe will improve both their effectiveness at work and team/division/service performance. There is no limit on the amount of time, study or training that an employee can request, however employees do not have the right to be paid for the time spent training when requests of this nature are made.

Applying for learning/qualifications

To request time off to attend training in line with the legislation, employees must:

  • Submit the request in writing to their line manager, stating that it is an "application under section 63D of the Employment rights Act 1996"

  • Provide the following information:

    • the subject matter of the proposed training or study

    • where and when the proposed training or study would take place

    • who would provide or supervise it

    • what qualification it would lead to (if any)

    • how the employee thinks the proposed training or study would improve their effectiveness at work and team/division/service performance

    • the date of the application

    • the date and method – eg email or letter - that their last application (if any) was submitted.