Sorry, you only have 14 years experience...

[nomadd]

I must tell my clients that according to you, they shouldnt let me be trained up on their latest software then! And they include several multinational banks and UK utility companies.

Again, a very silly, unthoughtful reply. I never suggested you shouldn't accept free training if it was offered, just that you'd be very lucky to get it as a contractor. In my 21 years as a contractor, the most I've ever received was 1 days training in Glaxo's proprietary word processor - I kid you not. It wasn't a skill that transferred well to future roles...

If you are a contractor getting free training from your clients then that is exceptional, in my experience. I'd be very interested to hear from other contractors on here as to how much free training they are getting from their current clients. Should make interesting reading...

[RichardCranium]

When a previous ClientCo switched to an obscure bit of project management software, the permies were given training but the contractors told they would have to work it out for themselves.

Realising that wasn't going to work, I asked if I could go on the course if I didn't charge for those two days but they paid for the training. As it was, a permie phoned in sick the day before the course and I got a call to say I could go.

So, in 15 years of contracting I have had 2 days of free training that cost ClientCo nothing and cost me 2 day's money.

[Babbage]

I got ISEB foundation paid for as long as I didnt bill for the days of the course and I got a 3 day cryptography course on the same basis at another company.
I felt lucky until I looked at my daily rate...

Mike

[Stan.goodvibes]

the most I've ever received was 1 days training in Glaxo's proprietary word processor

I was at Glaxo Stockley Park '95-96. I got a couple of days training paid for by Glaxo on OOP programming with the newly released VB4.

I disagree on the learning on the job thing. I have learnt all my skills while being on site, and have gone from Excel/Access VBA to VB.net and now SQL Server and SSRS,SSAS, and SSIS without ever having to put myself through training, in fact last Clientco put me through the 3 BI courses *and* paid my daily fee while I was on them!

I tend to see what the software the client using and then spend all my spare time at work trawling blogs and tech sites about that software until I know it well enough to put on my CV.

I only put my core competencies on my CV. You have to trust the agent to get you in the door for an interview so you can spout off all the required acronyms to convince the client you have ALL the skills

[chef]

I've emailed them to point out their minor mistake, let's see if I get a reply.

Thanks for the information, I have passed this on to the resourcer that posted the role to highlight their error.

IT Director
The JM Group

hmmm

[BolshieBastard]

I got ISEB foundation paid for as long as I didnt bill for the days of the course and I got a 3 day cryptography course on the same basis at another company.
I felt lucky until I looked at my daily rate...

Mike

My last international banking client would have given a hefty discount on ISEB training. OK not free in this instance but still, something for virtually nothing by the client.

I'd already got the qualification so couldnt take this offer up.

[Tingles]

3 days PMP training and I billed for the time on the course too.

[malvolio]

3 days PMP training and I billed for the time on the course too.

OK, so there went your IR35 defence. Well done...

You are hired to supply skills. If you don't have them and have to acquire them at the client's expense, you can't claim you were hired for them. Ergo, in Hector's eyes, you are a temporary employee...

[Fred Bloggs]

OK, so there went your IR35 defence. Well done...

You are hired to supply skills. If you don't have them and have to acquire them at the client's expense, you can't claim you were hired for them. Ergo, in Hector's eyes, you are a temporary employee...

Badoom, tishhhhhh................

[thunderlizard]

Not if he got somebody to cover for him while he was off training. Last time I was on a full-time training course half the people there were fresh grad consultants charging their time to their clients.

As Basho once said,

Drafted on water,
it shifts like a falling leaf,
IR35.