What is Mandatory Training?
18/02/2026
Health & safety training equips managers to spot risks
Mandatory training ensures employees have the knowledge and skills required to perform their job role competently and safely.
The purpose of this workplace training is to help organisations limit risk and maintain safe working practices for their staff. Across all industries, employees are expected to complete mandatory training. Organisations must ensure legal compliance, minimise risk, and maintain high standards of safety.
For example, you wouldn't put someone in charge of handling sensitive customer information without first enrolling them on a data protection course. Failing to do so could lead to underperformance and the potential misuse of customers' sensitive data.
As well as enabling employees to perform their roles correctly, completing mandatory training also reduces risks to their health and safety. This is vitally important for both individuals and employers alike. Completing a fire safety course is a clear example of mandatory training that protects both the individual and the employer.
In schools and universities, completing equality and diversity training is increasingly becoming mandatory. At the University of Chester, the proportion of staff who had completed mandatory equality and diversity training rose from about 79.5% in January 2024 to 96.5% in December 2024 (a ~17% jump in completion rates over the course of that year).
Examples of the types of mandatory training by organisations
-
NHS Hospital Trust
- Fire Safety Awareness
- Manual Handling
- Equality & Diveristy
University
- Fire Safety
- GDPR
- Information Security
-
School
- Safeguarding Children
- Health and Safety (Site induction)
- Food Hygien (for staff handling meals)
-
Social Care
- Moving & Handling
- Infection Control
- Health and Safety
Mandatory training can be classified as compulsory training that is deemed essential for the business to offer its services safe and efficient.
Is mandatory training a legal requirement in the UK?
Mandatory training is not legally required; it is determined by the company as necessary for you to competently perform your job role. The confusion often arises because some mandatory courses can also be considered statutory training.
For example, fire safety training, which we mentioned earlier. Not only is this training necessary for many job roles where a fire safety risk exists, but it also qualifies as statutory training.
Statutory training is legally required. UK law mandates that this type of training be completed to ensure workplace safety and compliance — in contrast to employer-determined mandatory training.
| Statutory Training | Mandatory Training |
|---|---|
| Fire Safety | |
| Equality & Diversity | |
| Health & Safety Awareness | |
it is a legal requirement for employers to provide you health and safety training to employees
Who needs mandatory training?
If an organisation deems a particular set of courses mandatory, you should ideally complete them. Completing assigned mandatory training is always in the individual's best interest.
Health & safety training equips managers to spot risks
For example, imagine starting a job as a care assistant. You are new to the role, and working with people in the care sector can be challenging at times. To help you perform your role confidently, the organisation recommends mandatory moving and handling awareness training.
While there is no legal requirement for employers to provide mental health and wellbeing training, such courses help staff recognise signs of mental stress and respond appropriately, whether to a colleague or a patient, highlighting the clear benefits of completing them.
- Promote wellbeing and safe working practices
- Reduce the risk of harm to service users and staff
- Support compliance with general health and safety duties
Failing to complete a course such as this is not illegal, but not only will it hinder your ability to perform the job at an optimum level, it may breach organisational policy.
An untrained worker is a risk to themselves, to the public and to their colleagues
What are the consequences to organisation of failing to train their staff?
Organisations that fail to train their staff on mandatory courses may be breaking the law. Under the Health and Safety Act, it is their duty to provide necessary health and safety training.
For example, if an individual works in a canteen, one of their mandatory workplace courses may be in food hygiene. While this course is mandatory, it also falls under legislation requiring all food handlers to be trained in food hygiene by law.
Another mandatory course could be in communication skills. There is no legal requirement for this type of course; however, the company insists that it is part of the role and must be completed as part of staff procedures.
Employees can face disciplinary action and even termination of employment if mandatory training isn't completed
How often mandatory training must be completed
The frequency of mandatory training is determined by the company and depends on your specific job role.
For example, if you work in an office and occasionally perform manual handling tasks, such as moving a box here or there but your main role involves contacting customers and collecting marketing data, the company may recommend completing a conflict management or challenging behaviour course more frequently than manual handling training.
Even completing a refresher course can help you perform your daily tasks more effectively.
though there is no legal requirement, laws and regulations can change, completing training annually is recommended
Can mandatory training be done online?
We are now fortunate to be able to deliver training to employees, at scale, thanks to the online training. It enables staff to complete the training at their place of work or at home, on the necessary courses to support their job role and meet compliance requirements set out by UK regulations.
With a plethora of online training now available, mandatory courses like these, cover topics in depth, and provide a thorough online learning experience, accompanied by an assessment, and certificate is granted on thier success.
What does require closer attention, is ensuring the courses are both adequate and compliant with relevant regulations.
What happens if mandatory training isn't completed?
As mentioned previously, not completing mandatory training will not necessarily result in breaking the law, as it is training set by the organisation. However, choosing not to complete it may put you at a disadvantage, as the training is designed to help you fulfil your role, meet organisational guidelines, and protect your health and safety.
At times, you may be required to complete mandatory health and safety training.
While this training may be labelled as mandatory, if your job role involves associated risks to your health, there will be regulations set out by UK legislation requiring employers, by law, to provide certain training. Failure to do so can impact the company. This is why many health and safety courses fall under an organisation's mandatory training programme, as they are required by default.
Statistics show that mandatory training is not simply about ticking a box. Businesses lose money by ignoring effective training and risk awareness. More importantly, injuries and fatalities can be reduced with the right form of training.
A workplace that chooses to ignore staff training by underinvesting can develop a lackadaisical training culture. Mandatory requirements help ensure that essential knowledge is delivered effectively and taken seriously.
Does my employer have to pay for mandatory training?
In many cases, it is a legal requirement for companies to provide mandatory workplace training to their employees. As staff typically complete their training during work hours, employees are effectively paid to undertake the necessary training.
Refusing mandatory training can put your job at risk. It's always in the best interest of individual to complete training set by the company. Not only can it be knowledge that is transferable, but you are also helping an organisation be compliant. Not only can the knowledge gained be transferable, but you are also helping the organisation remain compliant.
Employees can face disciplinary action and even termination of employment if mandatory training isn't completed
What's the difference between statutory and mandatory training?
Statutory training is defined as training that employees are required to complete, and employers are required to provide, due to legislation.
| Statutory Training | Mandatory Training |
|---|---|
| Required due to legislation | Required due to company policy |
| Legal duty on the employer | Organisational requirement |
| Failure may result in legal consequences | Failure may result in internal disciplinary ac |
Quick comparison table
Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, employers must provide adequate training to their employees. This typically includes training in areas such as fire safety, manual handling, and general health and safety awareness. If this training is not provided, the employer may be at risk of breaching the law.
Type of Statutory training- Health and safety training (under the health and safety at work etc 1974)
- Fire safety training (required to mean duties under fire safety legislation.
From a staff perspective, mandatory training helps establish a consistent standard across the organisation. When everyone completes the same essential mandatory workplace training, it promotes consistency, strengthens communication, and ensures that all team members understand their responsibilities. This reduces risk, supports compliance, and contributes to a safer, more professional working environment.
