Feel misled in new job, not sure what to do

[Wedontcare40]

I applied for a job at a company which offers paid qualifications, it's one of their main selling points.
In the interview I said I'd be really interested in doing this qualification and they said 'Yep that's definitely something we can do for you, we have a few people doing it currently."

Fast forward a month in, I have got settled into the role and I asked them about when I could potentially start it. They just said "oh it all depends on government funding, but if the chance to do it ever comes up we'll definitely consider you for it."

I was shocked, I feel like it was implied to me that I'd definitely be able to do it. It may never come up, it may be years, how would I know? I could pay for it myself but not sure I can really afford it, I applied to this company because they told me I can do it. I've told people I'll be doing it and feel stupid now.

It's not just that, it's just making me wonder what else they've misled me on.

The qualification is a stepping stone into specialist/senior positions, majority of them ask for it.

When you say you were told you could do it, do you have this in writing? Was it on the job ad?

It is on the job ad, it says 'opportunity for X qualification funded' and their website says that staff have access to these qualifications.

Have you passed your probation? It might be that you can bring it up when you have been there longer

Unfortunately thats really ambiguous. Opportunity doesn't mean definitely.

Not yet, but they should make that clear to me if it's the case not just infer things and leave me second guessing.

True, but in the interview he said "yes, that's definitely something we can arrange for you.'

They have pulled a fast one.
Start looking elsewhere.
Cover this period as a short term contract thing.

They are dishonest.

If you wish, email HR and ask for clarification, stating clearly what was originally said during the interview and what you have now been told.

Start looking today.

How did the conversation end? Have you spoken to your line manager about how you believed the course was a given?

It's a very small company and the HR is basically 1 person who does everything, he's the one whos told me this, I am disappointed but who's to say another company won't do it too.

There wasn't really much to say, they just kept saying, oh it all depends on funding. I'm worried other companies will do it.

'Opportunity' doesn't mean- everyone is guaranteed to do the qualification.
The interviewer didn't lie, they do have staff doing the qualification. The minor details, funding, who they choose etc etc is really not something you'd talk in depth about during an interview. The person might not have even known how it was funded.

Every place I've worked at, we have a study budget and it can't be assumed everyone can do the same training. Sorry, I think this is partly on you making assumptions, but partly the may not have been clear.

Well maybe they should've been clearer during interview that it's not guaranteed, and i mightve taken a job elsewhere.

The company may already have spent its training budget for this year, in which case you would have to wait until the next financial year.

I would imagine that they will want you to be with the company for a certain length of time before they will fund the training/apply for funding.

That's fine, I just need clarity rather than 'maybe at some point" I need to know if it'll be after a certain time rather than vague comments.

Clarify with your line manager rather than HR. How long is your probation period?

I’d be there long enough to prove myself and ask for a meeting, be direct I that if there’s no clear timeline for you starting the qualification then you will be looking elsewhere. You want to have been there long enough and shown your usefulness, enough that they would rather pay for it than lose you.

My friend does this through another company and they were told clearly "you can start it after your 6 month probation ends", at least she knows where she stands.

With respect, if it was so vital to your acceptance of the role then you should have had specific conditions written into your offer before accepting and not signed the contract until you were happy. Lesson learned.

This

You've got to pass your probation before they will fund/give you a funded place on a course so you've got sometime to work this out.

Gather the facts to make a decision, dont rely on some wishy washy conversation that trailed off without conclusion.

Polite, professional email to HR/ training manager cc LM seeking clarification - you were under the impression that this qualification was part of the package for the role, as this was indicated by the advert & confirmed by MrX at interview, and this was a significant contributor to you accepting the role.

Please can they confirm whether this will be possible in the 12 months following passing probation, or if not, an expected date.
You understand current courses are offered dependent on gov funding, if this offer from the gov changes, will X company consider funding the training?

Get a response in writing.
Make decision accordingly.

Next job, make crystal clear in writing that your acceptance is on the understanding you will be doing X qual in the 12m following probation.

Thank you

If it's conditional on funding, is it an apprenticeship or a similar qualification that might be dependent on the funding changes coming in with the new Lifelong Learning Entitlement? There have been significant changes to apprenticeship qualification funding recently, especially in the postgraduate space, and so money that previously existing for funding qualifications no longer does so. I'd ask which funding the qualification is contingent on, then look into whether it is one of the streams affected by the changes to skills funding, and therefore whether you might need to talk to your employer about alternative sources of funding or qualifications that are covered.

If it was conditional of probation, very normal, they should have said that.

Subject to funding is vague and bullshitty.

Ask for clarification.
But I'd be looking elsewhere and you can be more specific in your language next time.

Most companies are honest about options for sponsorship for studies, take this as a bad sign.

The wording of the advert suggests that the company will fund the opportunity, not that the government will fund it. I'd follow @PremierInnShafter's advice on drafting a polite and professional email setting out your expectations based on the advert and the information provided at interview, informing them that it was a deciding factor in accepting the job and for a commitment to you starting the qualification at an agreed point in the future.