Workplace dialogue on training and skills

The Government is working with the TUC and CBI to take forward a commitment to develop best practice concerning workplace dialogue on training and skills.

This commitment was made last year in t he DTI report, Success at Work: protecting vulnerable workers, supporting good employers

In addition to other policy issues, this policy statement contained the conclusions of the Government's review of the commitment in the Warwick Agreement to 'look at the possible inclusion of skills in the statutory bargaining procedure'.

The Government's conclusion was that 'the latest data shows a trend towards more workplace dialogue about skills and training, though there is little evidence that they are subject to collective bargaining', in effect ruling out, for the time being, including training as a collective bargaining issue in the statutory recognition procedure. However, the report did include a commitment to 'work with stakeholders ....to develop best practice in this area' and a joint initiative between the CBI, TUC, DfES and DTI is now under way.

Guidance to Encourage Workplace Dialogue on Training and Skills

A Joint Initiative by the CBI, TUC, DfES and DTI

In May 2007, the CBI, TUC, the Department for Education and Skills and the Department of Trade and Industry launched a joint project to produce best practice guidance, helping employers, employees and trade unions develop workplace dialogue on training and skills. The four parties aim to publish the guidance in autumn 2007, after assembling evidence from a range of other organisations and experts.

This project is important because an effective training and skills strategy is central to lasting business success and workforce development. An effective strategy rarely works in practice without fully engaging the workforce and its representatives in its design and delivery.

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