GRI 404 Training and education

This disclosure provides insight into the scale of an organization’s investment in training, and the degree to which the investment is made across the entire employee base.

In the context of this Standard, ‘training’ refers to:

• all types of vocational training and instruction;

• paid educational leave provided by an organization for its employees;

• training or education pursued externally and paid for in whole or in part by an organization;

• training on specific topics.

Training does not include on-site coaching by supervisors.

Employee training programs that aim to upgrade skills can include:

• internal training courses;

• funding support for external training or education;

• the provision of sabbatical periods with guaranteed return to employment.

Transition assistance programs provided to support employees who are retiring or who have been

terminated can include:

• pre-retirement planning for intended retirees;

• retraining for those intending to continue working;

• severance pay, which can take into account employee age and years of service;

• job placement services;

• assistance (such as training, counselling) on transitioning to a non-working life.