The UK Government is funding free occupational health training for line managers in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across England between January and March 2026. The initiative aims to equip SMEs with the skills to better support employee health, retain skilled staff, and boost productivity. It forms part of the Government’s Plan for Change, which seeks to create an accessible labour market, break down barriers to opportunity, and drive economic growth.
The training will benefit approximately 5,000 line managers and is designed to help prevent long-term sickness absence, an issue affecting more than 2.8 million people in the UK. The Keep Britain Working Review highlights that 800,000 more working-age adults are out of work due to sickness than in 2019, with the costs of ill-health significant for small businesses. Losing an employee to ill-health can cost over £11,000, while each sickness absence day can result in around £120 in lost profit.
Led by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), the training will provide line managers with practical skills to identify early signs that an employee may need support, including persistent fatigue, behavioural changes, or increased absence. Managers will be trained to have supportive conversations, make workplace adjustments, and guide employees toward available occupational health services. The course also promotes early intervention under the Equality Act 2010 and encourages better management of both physical and mental health conditions in the workplace.
Minister for Employment Dame Diana Johnson emphasized that the training will help small businesses retain skilled staff while improving employee wellbeing, creating benefits for employees, businesses, and the broader economy. Currently, only 21% of SMEs provide line manager training on health and wellbeing, compared with 76% of larger employers. Evidence shows that SMEs offering such training report high effectiveness, with 79% indicating it helps prevent employee ill-health.
The Federation of Small Businesses welcomed the funding, noting that training on occupational health has often been out of reach for smaller firms due to budget constraints. The programme will fund up to £800,000 of IOSH Managing Occupational Health and Wellbeing training, enhancing understanding of occupational health services, building manager confidence, and promoting practical strategies to support staff.
The training aligns with wider government support for SMEs, including measures to reduce costs, improve training access, tackle late payments, and provide financial relief for energy and other business expenses. Registration for the voluntary programme will open on 2 January 2026, following pre-registration until 31 December, with Reed Learning and International Workplace delivering the sessions across England.
