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Original poster

New job offer but I have to pay for training?

41 replies

feelingsickaboutit · 28/12/2018 18:02

I have had a job interview for a nice new job. Great salary and perks etc but ... my new employer requires me to complete a 12 week course that equals to level 7 qualification and costs £450. I have to meet the costs upfront and they pay me money back for each completed module. To me this sounds fishy ... I heard of employers deducting cost of training if you left the job early but never heard of paying upfront and then the employer paying back. Also ... level 7 in 12 weeks? Sounds to good to be true but so want it to be. I don't have £450 to gamble on this. What do you think?

OP posts:
achoocashew · 28/12/2018 18:17

What kind of job/training is this? Sound odd but may be standard in a certain industry, hard to tell if we don't know what the job is.....

flowery · 28/12/2018 18:53

”I have to meet the costs upfront and they pay me money back for each completed module.”

That’s not really you paying for it is it? Why do you think it’s “fishy”? Do you not trust them to reimburse you? As long as it’s clearly confirmed in writing you’ll be fine.

Bombardier25966 · 28/12/2018 18:58

Level 7 is Masters level. What is the qualification, is it with an external provider or do they have links with the employer?

Silkei · 28/12/2018 18:58

Are you guaranteed a paying job? Or is it a scam to get money out of you for the course? Most employers would just pay for your training.

Original poster
feelingsickaboutit · 29/12/2018 06:04

The company does not have an office in UK just yet. I was met in a rented office space with lots of other people who were interviewing for positions. I just fear it's a ploy to sign people up for useless training to take the money and run.

OP posts:
katykins85 · 29/12/2018 06:10

Your last post makes it sounds dodgy as!! I'd be looking for something else

Maryjoyce · 29/12/2018 06:38

Don’t do it it’s a scam

HotInWinter · 29/12/2018 07:11

12 weeks to get a MSc equivalent???
I'd run a mile.
What happens if you Google the company name, or a line from the advert. Does lots of similar stuff come up?

PeaQiwiComHequo · 29/12/2018 07:47

who is certifying the qualification as being level 7? ie when I did a qualification via a small training provider I had never heard of, it was accredited by City & Guilds.

How many hours of study per week over this 12 weeks? Unless you are officially an apprentice, you are entitled to at least minimum wage whilst studying for the qualification if it is mandatory for the job. No deductions for training can take you below minimum wage for the hours spent so if you spend £450 on a course and only do 3 weeks of it at 30 hours a week then leave, what they pay you after the £450 deduction must be at least £704.70

I used to employ people on zero hour contracts who had to complete 8 hours of training before working. Their normal pay was about 120% of minimum wage but if they left without doing at least 8 hours of actual work following the training they were bumped down to minimum wage for the time served but we weren't allowed to go any lower than that.

greendale17 · 31/12/2018 21:08

£450 and 12 weeks for a Masters level qualification? Don’t make me laugh

Abouttomakeanerror · 31/12/2018 21:11

I've done a level 5 vocational qualification while working. I couldn't have done it in 12 weeks. And I didn't pay for it.

daisychain01 · 31/12/2018 21:58

Based on your update they don't sound trustworthy, or reputable as an employer.

I wouldn't accept those terms and conditions. If they want you to do training, they should pay, simple as.

notangelinajolie · 31/12/2018 22:03

12 weeks for a Master's Degree? £450?

Sign me up Xmas Hmm

Think about it! If it sounds too good to be true then it probably 100% in this case is true.

MrsLuther · 31/12/2018 22:04

🤦🏽‍♀️

Wise up op

Quickerthanavicar · 31/12/2018 22:06

It's as dodgy as fuck.

jessstan2 · 31/12/2018 22:08

It's not unusual. Courses cost a lot of money and there is no refund if someone drops out. Firms must spend much on people who aren't going to stick around.

I presume you don't have to pay it all up front. Does the fee include the exams?

Think positively, feeling sick. If the job doesn't suit you know you can leave knowing you cost them nothing.

Good luck, let us know how you get on. I hope you enjoy it.

ADastardlyThing · 31/12/2018 22:11

It's very likely to be a scam, sorry op. Trying to find where I read about it recently, might have been on another forum, some of the detail is pretty familiar.

Ylvamoon · 31/12/2018 22:19

I 'd walk away. I would never pay for training up front in the hope of getting it back. I have had up to level 4 training in the past. Paid for by the company AFTER I was with them for 8 weeks (back in the days when average probation was 3 months ... not 6.)

EmpressJewel · 01/01/2019 11:14

The OP didn't say it was a Masters in 12 weeks. She said it was a level 7 course which is equivalent to a masters level.

I once did a level 7 short course and I had to attend study days and complete an assignment. I didn't get a masters, but the course I completed is at the same level.

wizzywig · 01/01/2019 11:16

I read it as £450 for a few credits that are level 7. Not an entire degree

WhatsUpHun · 01/01/2019 11:18

well done for questioning it, sounds VERY dodgy!!

AwdBovril · 01/01/2019 11:19

I have paid for my own training through work before. But, I was already working for the company. Plus, I paid for it via a salary deduction spread evenly over the course of a year. I got the entire course fee back when I remained with the company a further year after I completed the course & passed my final exam.

Your scenario sounds quite dodgy. I'd avoid. Or, at the very least, ask some very detailed questions about why you can't pay for it via salary deductions.

Anotherdayanotherdollar · 01/01/2019 11:20

Level 7 is a masters?? I thought it was ordinary degree, with level 8 being a bachelors degree...

Sounds dodgy all the same

Bombardier25966 · 01/01/2019 11:27

@Anotherdayanotherdollar A Bachelors degree is level 6.

www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels

lucky88 · 01/01/2019 12:46

Sound very much like a scam!!
Find out as much as you can about who is behind this & report them if you can.