Training
Apprenticeships
Most people undertaking apprenticeships are legally classed as employees. You should receive a contract which makes it clear whether or not you are an employee. This should also include the hours you are expected to work, giving enough time for studying outside of work hours.
In terms of pay, this is dependent on the employer. Apprentices aged 16-18 are not covered by the National Minimum Wage, and neither are those between 19 and 25 if you are in your first year. However, your employer must pay you a minimum of £80 per week.
If your apprenticeship is explicitly unwaged, you are still entitled to £40 per week from the government.
If you are classed as an employee, you can get help in negotiating pay from your union.
On the job training
If you wish to undergo training, your employer has the right to refuse to let you undertake that training if (s)he believes it is not appropriate for your job.
However, you are able to undertake this training if it is available outside of your working hours.
On the other hand, if your employer wants you to undergo training, it is extremely hard for you to refuse. In legal terms if, for example, your employer wants you to undergo training in a computer package you never use, this can be legitimised by your employer because it does not preclude the possibility of you having to use it sometime in the future.
Most training related to health and safety is likely to be mandatory. In this case, your employer will have a legal obligation to make you undertake this training, whether you want to or not.
If you have to undertake training outside of work hours, you will usually be paid or get lieu time for it. However, this is subject to your contract of employment, which should say one way or another.
If you are unsure of your position, your union should be able to help.
Sabbaticals and Career Breaks
These are usually at the discretion of your employer. Some large companies allow long breaks, particularly in order to retain women after they take maternity leave.
Otherwise, long-term time off, for example to write a book or undergo non-work-based training, is rarely allowed. However, you may be able to make a business case for why you should be given such a long time off.
Even if it is granted, it is very unlikely that you will be paid, and may not retain the same rights as a working employee. However if your employer chose you to become redundant specifically because you were on a career break, you may be eligible to file for unfair redundancy at an employment tribunal.