Training Contract Tie-In Advice

PhalanxPhalanx Member Posts: 331 ■■■□□□□□□□
Hi all,

So today I was offered the role of becoming the company's Data Protection Officer. I've had a big interest in GDPR law since it started working its way into UK law, and as it comes live in May, the company wondered if I wanted to take the mantle for them.

Here's the query: They offered to pay for everything for my training and certification - A cost of approximately £6,000 - with the proviso that I sign a contract saying that I will tie-in to the company for 24 months. My query is, having never been offered this kind of contract before, is this a good period for the amount being spent on my training and certification? The two courses they are planning for me end with a certification of GDPR Practitioner and Certified Data Protection Officer. I know the CDPO has good pull with companies looking for data privacy specialists, at least in the EU (I'm UK-based).

Is 2 years a decent timeframe for a tie-in?
Client & Security: Microsoft 365 Modern Desktop Administrator Associate | MCSE: Mobility
Server & Networking: MCSA: Windows Server 2016 | MTA: Networking Fundamentals
Data Privacy & Project/Service Management: PECB GDPR DPO/Practitioner | ITIL 2011: Foundation | CompTIA Project+
Currently Studying: Microsoft 365 Enterprise Administrator Expert

Comments

  • TechGromitTechGromit Member Posts: 2,156 ■■■■■■■■■□
    Is there a salary bump is you accept this? What is th penalty if you break the agreement?
    Still searching for the corner in a round room.
  • PhalanxPhalanx Member Posts: 331 ■■■□□□□□□□
    Basically, I've just finished my 6 month probation with flying colours. They've given me a salary bump of over £5,500 with no tie to the training contract. This is a standalone agreement. If I break it, I have to pay back the remaining amount. It goes down at 1/24th each month, so if I leave after a year, I have to pay half the cost, etc.
    Client & Security: Microsoft 365 Modern Desktop Administrator Associate | MCSE: Mobility
    Server & Networking: MCSA: Windows Server 2016 | MTA: Networking Fundamentals
    Data Privacy & Project/Service Management: PECB GDPR DPO/Practitioner | ITIL 2011: Foundation | CompTIA Project+
    Currently Studying: Microsoft 365 Enterprise Administrator Expert
  • cyberguyprcyberguypr Mod Posts: 6,928 Mod
    I did something similar early in my career. I signed understanding that if I had to leave before the agreed time came up, I would have to repay. As long as you understand this and accept the risk, I see no problem.
  • yoba222yoba222 Member Posts: 1,237 ■■■■■■■■□□
    In the US the tie-in duration is usually one year after the last reimbursement payment. This would be the case for someone paying for classes of a college/university degree.

    You mention a 2-year tie in, but this is also 2 certifications, not one. This seems fair to me to both you and your company. Congrats on the offer!
    A+, Network+, CCNA, LFCS,
    Security+, eJPT, CySA+, PenTest+,
    Cisco CyberOps, GCIH, VHL,
    In progress: OSCP
  • EnderWigginEnderWiggin Member Posts: 551 ■■■■□□□□□□
    Do they start the twenty-four month counter as soon as you sign up, or does it start after you finish the final cert? That'd play a factor for me.
  • PhalanxPhalanx Member Posts: 331 ■■■□□□□□□□
    It's right away, as the date on it is today. Thank you guys for the heads up and information, I'm going to sign. :)
    Client & Security: Microsoft 365 Modern Desktop Administrator Associate | MCSE: Mobility
    Server & Networking: MCSA: Windows Server 2016 | MTA: Networking Fundamentals
    Data Privacy & Project/Service Management: PECB GDPR DPO/Practitioner | ITIL 2011: Foundation | CompTIA Project+
    Currently Studying: Microsoft 365 Enterprise Administrator Expert
  • ErtazErtaz Member Posts: 934 ■■■■■□□□□□
    Phalanx wrote: »
    It's right away, as the date on it is today. Thank you guys for the heads up and information, I'm going to sign. :)

    I think you've made a good call. Those certs will be worth way more than your training costs in the long run. If you ever had the desire to hop the pond there are a *lot* of US companies that house EU citizen data scrambling to deal with GDPR.
  • PhalanxPhalanx Member Posts: 331 ■■■□□□□□□□
    Ertaz wrote: »
    I think you've made a good call. Those certs will be worth way more than your training costs in the long run. If you ever had the desire to hop the pond there are a *lot* of US companies that house EU citizen data scrambling to deal with GDPR.

    Good to know! Thank you! :)
    Client & Security: Microsoft 365 Modern Desktop Administrator Associate | MCSE: Mobility
    Server & Networking: MCSA: Windows Server 2016 | MTA: Networking Fundamentals
    Data Privacy & Project/Service Management: PECB GDPR DPO/Practitioner | ITIL 2011: Foundation | CompTIA Project+
    Currently Studying: Microsoft 365 Enterprise Administrator Expert
  • TechGromitTechGromit Member Posts: 2,156 ■■■■■■■■■□
    cyberguypr wrote: »
    I did something similar early in my career. I signed understanding that if I had to leave before the agreed time came up, I would have to repay. As long as you understand this and accept the risk, I see no problem.

    I agree, even if you had to pay the full amount back and got a better job because of the certification, they fronted you the money to get the certification. There's no down side her I can see. If possible I would also put aside the cost of the training, so if an opportunity does materialize, you have nothing stopping you from making the move.
    Still searching for the corner in a round room.
  • McxRisleyMcxRisley Member Posts: 494 ■■■■■□□□□□
    I agree that accepting this offer is a good move, I have accepted a similar offer a few times before. Worst case scenario, you leave for a better job and have to pay them back BUT even in this scenario you still win because you just got a free loan for training essentially.
    I'm not allowed to say what my previous occupation was, but let's just say it rhymes with architect.
  • blargoeblargoe Member Posts: 4,174 ■■■■■■■■■□
    I think the arrangement is very reasonable. Honestly, if you leave for greener pastures, I imaging the increase in salary would surpass what you would have to repay (though you would have to cough up the $$$ in the short term). I'm a big advocate of taking advantage of any offers like this if it makes sense for what you want to do with your career.
    IT guy since 12/00

    Recent: 11/2019 - RHCSA (RHEL 7); 2/2019 - Updated VCP to 6.5 (just a few days before VMware discontinued the re-cert policy...)
    Working on: RHCE/Ansible
    Future: Probably continued Red Hat Immersion, Possibly VCAP Design, or maybe a completely different path. Depends on job demands...
  • ITSec14ITSec14 Member Posts: 398 ■■■□□□□□□□
    Here's a question...do they prorate the amount you have to pay back if you leave before the 24 months is up? Or is it the full amount regardless if you quit in 1 month or in the 23rd month?
  • PhalanxPhalanx Member Posts: 331 ■■■□□□□□□□
    They prorate, hence the "1/24th".
    Client & Security: Microsoft 365 Modern Desktop Administrator Associate | MCSE: Mobility
    Server & Networking: MCSA: Windows Server 2016 | MTA: Networking Fundamentals
    Data Privacy & Project/Service Management: PECB GDPR DPO/Practitioner | ITIL 2011: Foundation | CompTIA Project+
    Currently Studying: Microsoft 365 Enterprise Administrator Expert
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