BristolUK

This is one of those things I find it hard to get my head around. There seem quite a few occupations where you pay for the training/qualification instead of getting training on the job.

I believe something similar happens with crossing guards and flag 'men' or whatever those people who hold the stop/go signs (or flags) for roadworks are called. I'm sure I've seen some security work advertised that needed the candidate to have paid for some qualification too.

Phlebotomist is another one. Own expense in Canada, on the job training UK.

JamesM

That is a good point. It costs Timmies just 15 cents a cup for a cup of coffee and that is typically with operating costs.

You must be on the expensive stuff over there!

Danny B

It's only in the last 9 years or so that the RCMP have started to pay cadets a training wage. Before 2008 it was 6 months in Regina with no pay
Must have been hard for married men with families back home to pay bills with no income.

At least now they get $500 a week, which is not a great deal more than minimum wage.

Snowy560

What about married (or unmarried) women trainees? Wasn't it hard for them too?

S

caretaker

For a long time married men weren't allowed to apply for the force, and marriage wasn't permitted until after a year's service, (I may be proven wrong but when I was young this was the common belief). The well-liked and respected old S/Sgt we used to have couldn't join because he wanted to get married, so he became a Regina City policeman, then when the RCMP changed their rule he joined and made a career out of it. At one time recruits had to be minimum 6' tall and learn to jump hurdles on horseback with the reins in their teeth, to demonstrate confidence before graduating. I knew a man who went through that but then was released for riding his horse through a nurse's residence, demonstrating unsuitability. :-)

Almost Canadian

Most occupations require the person to have certain credentials (obtained at their own expense) before being offered the job. Why should public servants be different? I appreciate that your examples are not necessarily public servants.

Howefamily

I am thinking, with police in mind, that you are right. And its the same with paramedics. We are so used to the format in the UK that it seems all wrong here but actually its the same as any career really. You pay your university, graduate and then find a job, hopefully in your chosen field.

Danny B

Danny B

I found this old 'basic qualifications' ad for the RCMP a while back.

Almost Canadian

I don't have a particular issue with taxpayers funding such training. But I do believe that if, having obtained the training at the taxpayer's expense, they then decide to work in the private sector, or leave the country, they should expect to have to pay the cost of their training back to the taxpayers that funded it.

BristolUK

I don't know about most. Some certainly. And some of each.

I suppose to be an accountant one needs some accountancy qualification but if a secretary or receptionist then one doesn't need a qualification, other than typing, familiarity with computer.

Other training would be on the job.

Fork lift licence could be an advantage for warehouse work but if it's not essential then on the job training is given for other stuff.

Is a flagman working for a private contractor trained at his own expense while one working for the highways department (or whatever) gets it on the job? Or is the deciding factor not public or private, but occupation?

I have no idea but I doubt it's the simple private and public aspect that you are strongly hinting at with the "why should public servants be different" question.

Almost Canadian

I was referring to the specific occupations listed by others (that's why I typed the last sentence to my response to you).

I also accept that, once one has obtained a job, the real learning begins.

bats

I don't think that there's enough consistency to say that it's more expensive, salaries lower etc

I was paid more in Ontario for part time work than I was for a full time level 8 job in the NHS. My husband is being paid less than he was in the UK.

I don't get the whining about public service jobs either. If you want such a job apply for one.

scrubbedexpat091

BC requires 40 hour training program for security guards. Pay for the job generally low though, just above min wage and sometimes min wage. $300-$400 for the training generally. I have seen some of the large companies offer free training if hired though.

Phlebotomist/Medical lab assistant training isn't long in BC, but not many public schools offer it, I believe only 1 in the lower mainland of BC offers it, and they have a 2 year long wait list, it's about $3,000 at VCC, the private training schools charge 10k-12k for the same program.

They also have cashier training and bank teller training now at some schools.

Banking & Retail - University of the Fraser Valley (UFV)

scrubbedexpat091

I've spent 10 years doing just that...lol.

I wouldn't mind working in public sector those jobs just well are quite difficult to get, seems to be more options if your capable/able to be police or border guard though, but they won't let me do that sort of job.