A recent FSB survey pointed out that out of 20,000 small businesses, nearly four out of five (76.4%) already offer formal training. It wants to make it easier for smaller business owners to get their current work-based training formally recognised.

John Denham, the secretary of state for Innovation, Universities and Skills, is calling for employees to be given the right to request time to train and has launched a consultation on the subject.

However, Richard Bloxam, head of marketing communication at Proskills, claims that this would be unworkable for the print industry and that the current framework is flexible and structured to provide for small businesses.

He said: "Proskills recognises that informal work-based training is important and essential. However, things get more complicated when it comes to funding and recognition."

"It would be hugely expensive for small companies to employ individual assessors and it would be difficult to ensure that the training is an acceptable quality."

Colin Willman, chairman of FSB Education and Skills, said: "We support the government's efforts to get more people into training, but employers should have the final say based on the needs of the business."

For more see next week's analysis in PrintWeek.

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