My work want me to do unpaid course

rs1800

rs1800

rs1800

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12 Aug 2009
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568
Please can you tell me what you think:

Basically my company are not bad overall and I quite enjoy it there on a fixed sallary. They are reasonably generous with parties, pensions, working conditions etc however last year they wanted me to do a college course (16th edition) and set it up as a 1 eve a week course (12 weeks i think). It was expected that I would do it as it was a benefit to me and my CV (although I don't need it for my job) and the company was paying for the course. It didnt think about it too much and just did it.

Anyway they have now said I will be doing a C&G wiring cource for 12 evenings again and have assumed I will do it again willingly. Thing is I dont need this for my job (it would be useful background knowledge only) and really dont want to use up 12 evening of my time unpaid doing it. If I tell them that though, I know my boss (Who is very go-getting and motivated) will think I am being (cant think of word) - unambitious, not go-getting, not wanting to further my education etc and it will look bad.

Do you think I should just do it for the sake of my future job potential? Say I dont want to do it? Will do it but I want to be paid extra or time off in lieu?

Cheers
 
What is the course? 16-17 regs? Are the company paying for the course? If so I'd attend, its a free chance to (like you say) further yourself?
 
Would you get a qualification from the course?

I would do it anyway if the company was paying for it and there was a remote chance that it could come in useful at some point in the future.
 
1 evening a week for 3 months won't kill you. What else would you be doing on that evening?
It's a good company, nice place to work and they're paying for a course that will educate you, give you more in-depth knowledge of your job and give you a C.V boost? Seems like a no-brainer to go for it, really.
 
So they are offering to fund the course in full and at the end of it you get a qualification that could be an entry requirment on a future job application. All you have to give up is a few hours on an evening for 12 weeks.

Lets look at your options:

1) Say no. You're unlikley to be given further opportunity and will have in effect done your future career prospects no good what so ever.

2) You say yes but want money/time etc. They're already paying for the course, see above.

3) You say yes. You apply for promotion/a job with another company, they may require a C&G xxx as is often the case, or they may take the fact that you were motivated enough to do it as a positive over someone else who hasn't or told his boss to stick it/wouldn't self fund.

Your choice but for a few hours one evening over 12 weeks it's not a massive ask now is it ? Unless you have something significantly more important to do eg caring for sick puppy's or orphaned children. Hell make it sick children with orphaned puppy's and you're onto a winner on your CV anyway :)
 
Just say you would like to do the course but have regular personally commitments in the evenings that do not allow you to give up all those evenings. If he asks what say it’s personal. They cannot force you to work outside work hours for free.
 
All the reasons you have said is why I feel guilty and perhaps I should just do it then.

I am on sales team of a company selling electrical products. I never actually have to connect them and never want to become a sparky (no offence, I'm just an office worker) so a wiring course will never really be of use to me.
 
Do it, as already posted above, the pros far outweigh the cons.

EDIT: Update having seen the post above. It may not be something that you directly need, but as with most areas, knowing something about the products you are involved in can make you a much better sales rep.
 
I think Avalon has summed it up pretty well.

It's the sort of opportunity that if it was offered to me I would probably jump at it, as it can be an indication that the company is considering you for "better things", it's always a good idea to have more qualifications under your belt, and it could help you in the future both in your current job and in gaining new/better employment (I would also take it as a sign that they are happy with what you are doing and that is a good thing given the state of the job market).
 
OK OK

I'm convinced, I was looking at it the wrong way.

I am more motivated to do it now, Thanks for steering me back on a +ve path !!!
 
If you have no future plans to become a spark, why bother doing a 17th ED refresher course that your NOT going to need? It WONT teach you ANYTHINK about the products that you are selling, nothing has changed regarding ZONES and IP ratings? Seems pretty pointless to me. Would you not benift more going on a electrical wholesale course?

But like i have said in my first post. It may mean that you get that better paid job else-where, so its swings and roundabouts my friend !
 
As most people have said, free education is always good. However if you really don't want to do it then tell them. they don't want to spend this money willy nilly on people who have no interest, they could send someone else instead.
 
They are sending all the team on it and most don't want to do it but like me don't want to say no.

Its some sort of C&G practical wiring course this time but thanks to the replies I have changed my opinion and will give it a go to further my knowledge. If nothing else Ill be able to change a plug socket in my house lol! (and yes I know I still wont legally be allowed!)
 
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