well I’ve found out that my company can offer to put you through the CE training/test and you sign a finance agreement to work it off or pay them the fees if you leave, so I’d like to ask you guys/gals your opinions please, has anyone else been put through by there company and had a happily ever after, so to speak ? I’m going to ask the TM tomorrow in greater detail what this entails. This may be my only option for the foreseeable future as a family emergency I had to use some of the funds I had put aside for this. Sorry for the sob story!
My lot are paying for two drivers to get their CE training but you are tied to the company, I’d rather pay for it myself then I can move if I don’t like what I’m doing.
I’d have a few questions before deciding.
How long do you have to agree to remain with them if you sign up - if you are agreeing to repay the training costs does the amount to repay decrease the longer you stay?
If they do it like a finance deal and you repay it through a wage deduction, could you possibly get a loan through a bank at a better rate?
Assuming you pass, do they then put your rate up to reflect the C&E you can now drive for them?
If you are planning on staying with the firm anyway, and you are happy enough with the answers, I wouldn’t see a problem with doing it that way (that’s how I did category C with my current employer, did C&E myself) if it gets you to your goal of a C&E licence quicker than otherwise.
Radar19:
My lot are paying for two drivers to get their CE training but you are tied to the company, I’d rather pay for it myself then I can move if I don’t like what I’m doing.
You can leave, but you’d have to pay for some of all of the training costs, so would be no different to paying for yourself, except if you stay you don’t have to find a wedge of money to pay to upgrade your licence.
Disclaimer. The devil is in the detail of the deal, read carefully and understand it first before you leap in.
Radar19:
My lot are paying for two drivers to get their CE training but you are tied to the company, I’d rather pay for it myself then I can move if I don’t like what I’m doing.
You can leave, but you’d have to pay for some of all of the training costs, so would be no different to paying for yourself, except if you stay you don’t have to find a wedge of money to pay to upgrade your licence.
Disclaimer. The devil is in the detail of the deal, read carefully and understand it first before you leap in.
True but I’m also at the mercy of who ever the company chose to the do the training. I don’t get a say in it so I could be stuck with a crappy trainner using knacked old gear whereas if I pay for it myself I get to chose where I go.
Radar19:
My lot are paying for two drivers to get their CE training but you are tied to the company, I’d rather pay for it myself then I can move if I don’t like what I’m doing.
You can leave, but you’d have to pay for some of all of the training costs, so would be no different to paying for yourself, except if you stay you don’t have to find a wedge of money to pay to upgrade your licence.
Disclaimer. The devil is in the detail of the deal, read carefully and understand it first before you leap in.
True but I’m also at the mercy of who ever the company chose to the do the training. I don’t get a say in it so I could be stuck with a crappy trainner using knacked old gear whereas if I pay for it myself I get to chose where I go.
Like I said the devil is in the detail,
find out what training company they’re using first, go and do a reccy to see what kit they use, even have a chat with them.
Ask yourself some questions.
Do you want to do C+E?
How much will cost you to do C+E from C?
What else could you do with that money?
How long will it take for you to save up for C+E?
How much extra could you earn where you are if you were a C+E driver?
How much could you earn elsewhere if you has C+E?
Is this worth the cost of paying back your present company for the training?
How much will you lose in earnings waiting to save up as opposed doing quickly with your company?
Plus the things Gingerpose said about the conditions of the deal.
I am in that process now, I have paid but the company are refunding it, I was told I only need 14 hours but said what the hell give me the full 20 hours, I just keep forgetting to put the reciet in
They want me to sign a sliding agreement scale over a couple of years, no problem to me as if I was to leave it would be less I pay the longer I stay, also it’s only a couple of weeks wage anyway.
Dan Bear 87:
well I’ve found out that my company can offer to put you through the CE training/test and you sign a finance agreement to work it off or pay them the fees if you leave, so I’d like to ask you guys/gals your opinions please, has anyone else been put through by there company and had a happily ever after, so to speak ? I’m going to ask the TM tomorrow in greater detail what this entails. This may be my only option for the foreseeable future as a family emergency I had to use some of the funds I had put aside for this. Sorry for the sob story!
I appreciate your comments
Regards
D’B
Where I worked the Company offered current employees to be put you through the Training and Test at Company expense,BUT you agreed if you passed to stay with them for a defined period eg;-2 years
If you decided to leave after 12 months it was normal to pay back half or all the cost that the Company had paid out (no interest),or if you decide driving is not for you and revert back to your old job in the Company,it was normal to be asked to be a standby Driver when needed ie:- Xmas time or holiday relief
I would imagine you’ve been at the company long enough to know what driving c&e for them entails. To that end its up to you if you fancy giving it a go, if they want to front up the cash all well & good, it saves you the bother. Wether you pay them the cash back over time or agree to stay for a certain period is irrelevant, they are paying up front and if you’re considering leaving why bother doing it in the first place. As for the vehicle, it won’t say on your licence if you passed in a rattle trap or a 15 plate Volvo, a pass is a pass.
How long is the tie in with the company ?
Does the amount to pay back if you leave reduce as time progresses or is it all to be paid back ?
What training school will they be using ? - is it listed in the members recommended schools on here ?
If you can’t afford to do it and your only option is to do it this way. Research what the other drivers think of the company and work involved. Two years isn’t long. Too many people want it all ways. Just imagine it’s your company and you pay to put someone and they Bugger off. How would you feel
Only do this if you love the work you do for your company and see no reason you’d want to leave for ‘X’ amount of time.
My first company put me through the Class 2 but tied me in for three years. Leave in first year, £1,500, leave in second year, £1,000, leave in third year, £500. As it happens, they tried to discipline me for something that wasn’t my fault. I told them it wasn’t anything personal, but I couldn’t work for a firm that accused me of being a liar. They went ahead anyway, but I’m a man of my word
They chased me for about a year with letters from them and their solicitors, but it disappeared eventually. Don’t quote me on this, but I have a funny feeling that even if they have your signature on the dotted line, it would have trouble standing up in court on the basis that it is wrong to make somebody pay for training that they require in order to fulfil the duties of their job. I know of successful court orders in these circumstances, but have heard of them being thrown out also.
Lesson to be learnt here, again, is don’t do it unless you trust the company.
If you do sign an agreement then read it very carefully because you do not want them needing the money back if they terminate your employment for any reason
Dan Bear 87:
well I’ve found out that my company can offer to put you through the CE training/test and you sign a finance agreement to work it off or pay them the fees if you leave, so I’d like to ask you guys/gals your opinions please, has anyone else been put through by there company and had a happily ever after, so to speak ? I’m going to ask the TM tomorrow in greater detail what this entails. This may be my only option for the foreseeable future as a family emergency I had to use some of the funds I had put aside for this. Sorry for the sob story!
I appreciate your comments
Regards
D’B
I just talked to a Driver thems Company also has a HGV-Driver Training Sheme.
Not sure if its allowed to see who it doing it.
But seems PCL-Transport does. Wherever a Base is. (think Manchester,Hatfield,…)
I find it quite strange…
This thread is about the company paying for your CE training and the reply’s are of caution.
Do drivers not feel secure in their jobs? (That’s a genuine question)
Apart from scraps as a kid, I have only really ever worked for one employer and would be happy to continue this till retirement.
The amount of “If you want to leave” comments is unreal.
? I’m going to ask the TM tomorrow in greater detail what this entails. This may be my only option for the foreseeable future as a family emergency I had to use some of the funds I had put aside for this. Sorry for the sob story!
