Can an employer demand I pay for training?

debbie_debt

Hi,

I'm after some quick advice please.

I've gone for a new job as a residential care worker in a children's home. I got the job, but at pre-interview stage I was informed that I would need to pay for my own Level 3 Diploma as a condition of the job. This is a mandatory qualification (in law) for the role and needs to be completed within 2 years of starting. I can't accept the job without agreeing to pay for the training. My question is - is this legal? Can my employer demand I pay for a qualification if I don't already have it? Any links to guidance would be particularly useful please!

I know a lot of other providers in this sector give the training for free after a 6 month probation period, as long as you agree to stay with the company for a period of time after qualifying.

Thanks in advance!
Debbie

74jax

It's not 'law'. It is mandatory to you accepting the job however.


Either accept and complete or don't accept. It's entirely your choice.

debbie_debt

Sorry, I don't think I was too clear then! I meant the qualification is mandatory in law (part of the Children's Home's Regulations 2015), but I wanted to know if its legal to force employees to pay for it, rather than the organisation paying. Thanks.

74jax

debbie_debt wrote: »

Sorry, I don't think I was too clear then! I meant the qualification is mandatory in law (part of the Children's Home's Regulations 2015), but I wanted to know if its legal to force employees to pay for it, rather than the organisation paying. Thanks.

But you aren't being forced? You can say no?

Dangermac

debbie_debt wrote: »

Hi,

I'm after some quick advice please.

I've gone for a new job as a residential care worker in a children's home. I got the job, but at pre-interview stage I was informed that I would need to pay for my own Level 3 Diploma as a condition of the job. This is a mandatory qualification (in law) for the role and needs to be completed within 2 years of starting. I can't accept the job without agreeing to pay for the training. My question is - is this legal? Can my employer demand I pay for a qualification if I don't already have it? Any links to guidance would be particularly useful please!

I know a lot of other providers in this sector give the training for free after a 6 month probation period, as long as you agree to stay with the company for a period of time after qualifying.

Thanks in advance!
Debbie

Surely, many jobs require qualifications (driving, legal, medical etc).


Surely, an employer would not be expected to pay for qualifications which are a mandatory requirement of the job.


If that were the case, I will be applying for rocket scientist roles.


DM

spadoosh

debbie_debt wrote: »

I know a lot of other providers in this sector give the training for free after a 6 month probation period, as long as you agree to stay with the company for a period of time after qualifying.

Hows this different from what you are being offered?

Lets assume they leave during that qualifying time, theyll be charged. So same boat as you.

Im guessing the rates of pay between those who offer to cover the cost of training with various caveats will be lower than the company you have applied for, if this is correct thats the reason they expect you to pay for training.

TELLIT01

The simple answer is "Yes they can". Your job offer is subject to you accepting that condition. You can turn the job down if you don't like the conditions attached.
It may be that previously they did have a policy of recovering money for training but were having difficulty getting the money back. I have also read of companies retaining the certification documents if an employee leaves because they have paid for the training. At least this way, any certification docs will be your property.

getmore4less

What are you going to be getting paid.

This might come under the non deductibles for NMW like paying for uniforms.

ReadingTim

Quick advice: yes, it's perfectly legal. Don't like it? Then get a job with one of the companies that provide it for free then.

debbie_debt

Thanks for getting back to me everyone! I really appreciate the clarification. Didn't want to agree to something they shouldn't have been asking of me.

getmore4less

Some things a company may want you to pay cannot take you below NMW.

I would clarify is compulsory training fall into that category if paying will take you below NMW.

One example often used is uniforms.