FSB urges training recognition

The Federation of Small Businesses has responded to the government's call for employees to be given the right to request training by calling for greater recognition for on-the-job training offered by many small firms.

The organisation claimed that in its survey of just under 20,000 small businesses, 76% said they already offered formal training.

"The government could certainly do a lot more to make it easier for small employers to get the on-the-job training they already offer accredited," said Colin Willman, FSB education and skills chairman.

"At the moment the process is too expensive and too bureaucratic for many small businesses to cope with. The vast majority of businesses do not have an HR department to handle these issues."