Asking employer to fund HNC/HND

[turtlewaxer]

What would be the correct way to ask an employer to fund or partially fund/support a distance learning HNC and then possibly HND?

I work as an Electrician for quite a large Oil and gas service company, occasionally having to go offshore. With the arrival of kids this is starting to get more difficult and I am looking to make the switch to a more office based job.

I haven’t mentioned this to my line manager/general manager as I don’t think they would be too impressed - although ultimately I don’t think they will want to lose me which is what might happen.

It’s not so much about the funding - 4k per course - it’s more that I will need to practise what I’m learning or i will just end up forgetting everything.

Should I speak to Head of engineering, HR or my manager first?

[aka_kerrly]

turtlewaxer said:

What would be the correct way to ask an employer to fund or partially fund/support a distance learning HNC and then possibly HND?

I’m learning or i will just end up forgetting everything.

Should I speak to Head of engineering, HR or my manager first?

It's definitely worth speaking to your current employer about career options , I don't believe any manager should have an issue with staff keen to upskill. Sadly you may hear about "budgets" but on the whole it should be encouraged.

For reference I made a career change from financial services to engineering by starting in a manufacturing engineering firm. The company has a " talent developer" (real job title) who is in charge of the apprenticeship scheme plus adult learning so there is a system in place where staff who have demonstrated the necessary skills/desire can start at level3 Nvq/HNC engineering courses (which in 2 years gets you a £7-12k payrise) all the way up to Masters(£60k+)

The only catch for the funding is you have to repay if you fail the course or leave the business within 2 years for hnc/HND and 3 years for more advance courses.

If you can squeeze a course in, get a recognised qualification and then find a substantially better job, repaying £4k to go and earn for example £10K+ or much better work/life balance its is worthwhile!

[parabolica]

turtlewaxer said:

What would be the correct way to ask an employer to fund or partially fund/support a distance learning HNC and then possibly HND?

I work as an Electrician for quite a large Oil and gas service company, occasionally having to go offshore. With the arrival of kids this is starting to get more difficult and I am looking to make the switch to a more office based job.

I haven’t mentioned this to my line manager/general manager as I don’t think they would be too impressed - although ultimately I don’t think they will want to lose me which is what might happen.

It’s not so much about the funding - 4k per course - it’s more that I will need to practise what I’m learning or i will just end up forgetting everything.

Should I speak to Head of engineering, HR or my manager first?

If it's one of the big companies chances are they already have some kind of educational sponsorship program in place for this exact thing - I know a lot of them do. Either check with your HR or the employee handbook.

[Percy Cushion]

I expect that if the employer did agree to fund this there will be conditions stipulated which state that this must be paid back if you leave with X months.