Statutory and Mandatory Training - What’s the Difference?

Training is something we’ve all been through. Whether it’s training to learn how to do the job or training to win in a competition, the concept of training is very easy to understand. However, did you know that some training is mandatory and some are statutory?

Do you know what statutory and mandatory mean? Is there really a difference between statutory and mandatory training? Well, all of these questions will be answered in this blog.

Not only will you learn how the two types of training differ, but you will also get some clear examples so that you are never confused by the two terms again.

So, let’s dive right into it.

In this blog, you will learn:

What is Statutory and Mandatory?

If we go by the dictionary’s definition of the terms, then according to the Collins Dictionary:

“Statutory” refers to rules or laws which have been formally written down.
“Mandatory” refers to actions or procedures that people must do because it is a rule or a law.

And according to Oxford Dictionary:

Statutory means – required, permitted, or enacted by statute’
Mandatory means – required by law or mandate; compulsory’

But these definitions don’t provide an easy-to-understand distinction between the two terms. So, for a better understanding, let’s discuss each of the training in detail.

What is Training?

The process of being conditioned and learning how to do something is called training. Training occurs when you teach someone how to do something. Training occurs when you prepare yourself for something by practising the task or by changing your behaviour.

What are the Types of Training?

Training has several different types and varies widely depending on the circumstances. Here are a few examples of different types of training:

Soft Skills Training
Hard Skills Training
Technology Training
Legal Training
Team Training
Managerial Training
Safety Training

As you can see, training comes in all shapes and sizes. But not all training is Statutory, nor is it Mandatory.

What is Statutory Training?

Statutory training is the type of training that’s required by law. Statutory training is often referred to as essential training or compulsory training. This means if you want to work in a particular field, then you must get the statutory training required to work in that particular field. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 are the most common sources of statutory training. Statutory training ensures that employees have the knowledge necessary to maintain a safe and healthy working environment for not only themselves but also their coworkers.

What are Examples of Statutory Training?

As statutory training is required by law, the specific training you will need will vary depending on your job sector. Here are a few examples of common statutory training courses:

Control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH) Training
Reporting of injuries, diseases, and dangerous occurrences (RIDDOR) Training
Fire safety awareness training
Basic risk assessment training.
Manual handling training
Local health and safety policy awareness training.

What is Mandatory Training?

Unlike statutory training, mandatory training is set by organisations rather than legislative bodies. Mandatory training is the training that organisations determine to be necessary for their employees so that the company can reduce risks and comply with laws and regulations. Mandatory training also helps employees carry out their jobs effectively. Organisations may deem some training as mandatory training can also be statutory

What are Examples of Mandatory Training?

Examples of mandatory training include:

Health and safety
First aid
Diversity, equality, and inclusion
Security
Customer care
Complaints handling
Conflict resolution
Record keeping
Raising concerns

What is the Difference Between Statutory and Mandatory Training?

Statutory Training	Mandatory Training
Statutory training is required by law	Mandatory training is deemed necessary by organisations
Set by legislative bodies	Set by organisations to reduce risk and comply with laws and regulations
Employees learn to comply with the law	Employees learn to carry out their duties effectively
Sector specific	Job specific

Why is Statutory and Mandatory Training Important?

Statutory and mandatory training ensure that employees have the necessary skills and knowledge to carry out their day-to-day jobs in a safe manner, thus reducing risks for themselves and their peers. Statutory and mandatory training also benefits the company as it minimises the risks and allows them to stay compliant with local laws and regulations.

Where can I get Statutory and Mandatory Training?

Statutory and mandatory training is sometimes provided within the organisation, but more often than not, organisations look for external solutions. Recently, online courses have become a very popular means of training teams.

You can find several online course providers who will be able to provide you with statutory and mandatory training courses. These courses will allow you to train not only yourself but your team as well. Training Express is one of those course providers. We provide you with everything you need to train your employees effortlessly. No matter the size of your team, we got you covered.

Food Hygiene and Safety Level 3

All catering professionals must be trained in food hygiene and safety with a solid understanding of the risks and hazards involved in preparing and serving food.

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Food Hygiene and Safety Level 3

All catering professionals must be trained in food hygiene and safety with a solid understanding of the risks and hazards involved in preparing and serving food.

Enrol Now

Training Express provides you with:

Dedicated Business Dashboard
Simple Reporting & User Management
Instant Certification & Validation
Dedicated Accounts Manager
Bespoke Courses

All of this combined, give you everything you need to train your employees effectively and keep your business compliant with the law.

FAQ

Is Statutory Training Mandatory?

Yes, statutory training is mandatory and is required by law.

What Training is a Must for UK Employees?

What training you are required to undergo will vary from industry to industry; however, here are a few trainings that most UK employees go through:

Summary

It’s understandable why people get confused by statutory and mandatory training. Both have many similarities, and the compulsory nature of the two makes things even more confusing.

You can easily track which training is statutory and mandatory by keeping this one thing in mind— if the training is required by law, then it is statutory training. For example, food hygiene training for food workers. If the training is very much necessary for you to carry out your day-to-day tasks effectively, then it is mandatory training. Also, remember that mandatory training can also be statutory and required by law.

No matter how the training is categorised, all employees should get the appropriate training they need to comply with laws and regulations as well as carry out their responsibilities effectively.