To: The UK Government and Relevant Authorities

Subject: Mandate for Employer-Provided Job Training for Basic Rate Taxpayers

We, the undersigned, call upon the UK Government to mandate that all necessary training required to perform one's job should be fully funded by the employer for individuals earning below the £37,700 tax bracket per annum. This petition highlights the need for a fair and just approach to professional development, focusing on industries such as the Security Industry Authority (SIA) sector, where mandatory upskilling and certifications are a significant financial burden on employees.

Background: In the United Kingdom, employees within the basic rate tax bracket often struggle to meet the financial demands of required professional training. The SIA mandates that security personnel undergo regular upskilling every three years. This includes not only the core upskilling certification but also additional qualifications such as Emergency First Aid and Mental Health Awareness. These additional qualifications, while valuable, are not directly verified by the SIA, leading to unnecessary financial and time burdens on employees who are already on a modest income.

Issues at Hand:

1. Financial Burden: Employees earning below £37,700 per annum are already under financial strain. The cost of mandatory training, including upskilling certifications and additional qualifications, can be prohibitive and deter individuals from continuing their employment or seeking advancement in their careers.
2. Unverified Qualifications: The SIA does not directly verify qualifications such as Emergency First Aid and Mental Health Awareness during the upskilling process. This oversight means that employees are investing time and money into certifications that, while beneficial, are not strictly necessary for the maintenance of their SIA license.
3. Employer Responsibility: Employers benefit from a well-trained workforce. By shouldering the responsibility of funding necessary training, employers can ensure that their employees are compliant with industry standards without the employees bearing the financial burden. This approach fosters a more committed and proficient workforce.
4. Proposed Solution: We propose that the UK Government implements a mandate requiring employers to fully fund all necessary job-related training for employees earning below £37,700 per annum.

This should include:

• The cost of SIA upskilling/top-up certification.
• Additional qualifications that, while recommended, are not verified during the upskilling process but are mandated for employment.
• Any other training deemed essential for the employee's role.

Benefits of the Proposal:

• Enhanced Workforce Skills: Ensuring that all employees have access to necessary training will enhance the overall skill level of the workforce, leading to better job performance and customer service.
• Reduced Financial Strain: By removing the financial burden of mandatory training from employees, we can support those on lower incomes, ensuring they are not penalized for being in essential but lower-paid roles.
• Increased Employment Retention: When employers invest in their employees' professional development, it fosters loyalty and reduces turnover, benefiting both employers and employees.
• Promotion of Fairness: This mandate will promote fairness and equality in the workplace, ensuring that all employees, regardless of their income level, have equal opportunities for professional growth and compliance with industry standards.

Conclusion: It is essential that the UK Government recognizes the undue burden placed on employees earning below £37,700 per annum and mandates that employers provide all necessary training for their roles. This change will lead to a more skilled, equitable, and motivated workforce, ultimately benefiting the entire economy.

We urge the Government to take immediate action to implement this mandate and support the professional development of all workers within the basic rate tax bracket.

Create a program called PROTECT:

• Professional
• Readiness
• Orientation &
• Training for
• Employment in
• Critical
• Tasks

This program will provide materials for employer's and employee's on where to get the relevant training to do not only their current job but also ways to advance their own careers eventually pulling those more studious employee's out of the basic tax rate bracket & providing employer's who are committed to the growth of their employee's who foster a safe and reinforced work ethic a more refined and well trained workforce leading to not only higher morale but also increased productivity, improved mental and physical health and also a boost to the UK Economy.