There is no legal requirement to train staff on equal opportunities and discrimination. Employers do, however, have a responsibility to effectively implement their Equal Opportunities Policy. Part of this is ensuring staff members understand the Equal Opportunities Policy’s provisions and providing training is a good way of doing this.
It’s especially prudent to train people responsible for recruitment and for managing employees (eg people who handle grievances and disciplinary matters). These are the people most likely to inadvertently discriminate and to be the subject of discrimination allegations.