(1) During an employee's absence from work while on protective leave, being an employee who, starting with the commencement of her or his employment with the employer-

(a) is on probation in that employment, or

(b) is undergoing training in relation to that employment, or

(c) is employed under a contract of apprenticeship,

the probation, training or apprenticeship shall stand suspended during such absence and shall be completed by the employee on her or his return to work after such absence.

(2) The Minister may by regulations prescribe a period or periods of training in relation to which subsection (1) shall not apply.