Training for young workers debated by parliament

Younger workers may be able to receive more training under new legislation being debated by parliament, it has emerged.

The new Education and Skills Bill may mean businesses will be required to allow employees time off work for training and education purposes.

This follows recent research from the Learning and Skills Council, which discovered that many employees want more training but believe employers will be unwilling to provide it.

However, the Forum of Private Business (FPB) is opposed to the idea, stating smaller firms may lose out under the new law.

'For those that need encouraging, more information about the options available to them - and better communication and support - would be far more effective,' FPB's National Chairman, Len Collinson, said.

Mr Collinson added that most employers are very willing to improve the training and skills of their workforce.

Compulsory education until the age of 18 is also contested by the organisation, with FPB member Elisabeth Wirrer of London-based Roy Truman Sound Services remarking: 'A more positive step would be to improve apprenticeships instead.'