Hello - wondering whether in TFL contracts there is a clause around training bonds and what it is. E.g. if you receive any training from TFL, do you have to work a certain amount of time to pay it off, and if you leave before then - is the remaining amount deducted from the employee's salary or a payment plan set up if salary is too low for recovery of full amount? Thanks!

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TfL Ref: FOI-1560-1920

Thank you for your email received by Transport for London (TfL) on 23 August 2019.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.  I can confirm we hold some of the information you require. You asked:

Do TFL employees have training bonds? If so, what is your policy? wondering whether in TFL contracts there is a clause around training bonds and what it is. E.g. if you receive any training from TFL, do you have to work a certain amount of time to pay it off, and if you leave before then - is the remaining amount deducted from the employee's salary or a payment plan set up if salary is too low for recovery of full amount?

TfL does not have any clauses around training bonds within contracts.  Any training that is not internal is reviewed within the Learning Adviser team as being business relevant and funded where possible for a central training budget with no conditions attached.

Where we have funded  a further education application under our Professional Sponsorship process we have an agreement that the employee signs to confirm that should they leave our employment within 2 years of completion of the years study, then they will repay back either the fees in full or a portion of the fees.  I have provided further detail below:

Non Completion of Course     -           Where an employee either fail to complete or fail the course, a repayment of 100% of cost is due to TfL

Employee leaves TfL             -           If course costs are below £2,500.00   then no action is taken to recover any costs at all.

                                                                       

Employee leaves TfL             -           If course costs are over £2,500.00 then we apply the following graduated recovery;

                                                            Leaves within 6 months of completing a course of study – 100% repayment due

                                                            Leaves within 12 months of completing a course of study – 70% repayment due

                                                            Leaves within 18 months of completing a course of study – 60% repayment due

                                                            Leaves within 2 years of completing a course of study – 50% repayment due

The term ‘Completing a programme/course’ refers to an employee successfully completing the period of Professional Sponsorship detailed in their Professional Sponsorship application form, including passing any applicable exams – this is not necessarily the successful completion of the overall qualification for which the employee is studying.

For example, if an employee applies for Professional Sponsorship for a period commencing January 2008 to June 2008, the term ‘Completing a programme/course’ would refer to the employee successfully completing this period, including the last day of all relevant exams, including re-sits.

If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for some reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.

Yours sincerely

Eva Hextall

FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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