Should I apply for training through work if I'm thinking of leaving?

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I've been in my current role for almost 3 years. They're a great employer and I've had lots of opportunities, but I'm currently applying for other jobs outside the organisation as there are no real opportunities for promotion in my current role.

Today my line manager sent me details of a course in the autumn which sounds really interesting. He is keen for me to take the course and for it to be paid for by work. However I'm feeling guilty about saying yes when I might not still be with the company by then. The course doesn't offer refunds and there is nobody else within the company who would be interested in taking my place.

On the other hand, if I don't get any of the three jobs that I've applied for and am still there I would really like to do the course.

Obviously my line manager doesn't know I'm looking for another job, so he'd think it was really odd if I turned down this opportunity.

What would you do?

Just check your work aren’t going to charge you for it if you leave within a certain time period. Otherwise go for it if you want to do it.

Ask if you can have time to think about it and do some research on the course. This gives you time to hear back from the jobs you have applied for.

I wouldn't want to agree to do the course if I was applying for other jobs. I had been offered to do a course starting now in my work however held off and told them I'd think about it as I knew I was waiting to hear back from other jobs .

I have a new job starting lager this month .🎉

Starting later this month. Bloody predictive text.

Check that you wouldn’t have to reimburse the training costs if they don’t get the benefit of paying for you to train.

I know a couple of people -different professions-who have been caught out by this.

I would be honest with you manager. He obviously thinks you're worth investing in if the company will train you FOC. So he might be able to magic up something that would entice you to stay.

Thanks for the responses. Congratulations on your new job @2pinkginsplease .

I think the cost this course is under the threshold for having to pay back a percentage if you leave within a certain amount of time. But I can check the policy on this. I have previously completed training where there was a financial penalty if I left within a year.

Unfortunately there is unlikely to be anything within the company that would entice me to stay. They're a brilliant company and I love the people, but the company is quite small and I am the only person working in my field. I want to progress and I can only really do that in an organisation with more people in the same field.