Hope these unfortunate people are in an area where there are plenty of alternative job opportunities so that they can find better employment.

a) fine as long as they are reimbursed and it is a reasonable purchase. b) seeing as they have been employed for many years, they would be competent and therefore this is a bit of a joke - it would seem as though they are trying to force the person to leave. However, if there is a legal requirement for this training, or if it is for development, or if it is not related to their current role then I think it is reasonable. Either way though, I wouldn't be happy working for this employer....

The first one - employees purchasing their own tools was quite usual in the old days for trades such as engineers, electricians, carpenters, etc. We had quite a few employees who had their own tool boxes and tools until we outlawed them and made them use our all company purchased tools. We did meet with qutie a lot of opposition at first but we persevered. I believe some trades still use their own tools even though they are employed, electricians particularly spring to mind. If the Company makes it mandatory for an employee to have a qualification then the company should pay. It depends very much on whether this is a mandatory qualification to enable the person to carry on their profession or whether this is a qualification that the Company chooses. If the organisation decides that everyone will become Six Sigma trained then clearly the onus is on the Company to pay. However, the company may employ a Occupational Nurse. That nurse has to be part of the NMC and keep up their registration or they cannot practice. Does the Company have to pay for this? An electrician will need to be qualified to the latest IET Wiring Regulations or they cannot work as an electrician - should the Company pay for this? It's not as black and white as your question at first appears.

+1

Sounds like those sending out tender documents are only fulfilling their duties. Has your company tried speaking with them? I have found in the past that demonstrating competence can help, although with something like this I suspect they will want to see the qualifications. However, in this case I think the company should be footing the bill....

I am in full agreement with Westonphil - there are bigger issues here than paying for tools and qualifications such as not having any in the first place! I don't think it is unreasonable for them to pay for their own qualifications in this instance. They are the beneficiaries at the end of the day. Even when a company pays for qualifications, there is normally a tie in period where the expenses have to be paid back if you leave within a certain amount of time. As for purchasing their own tools, as I said earlier, this is not unusual for electricians and it is interesting that I mentioned electricians before you did which shows it is "the norm" for them to have their own equipment.

Ok, if you employed the guy in the first place you deemed him as competent. Now he is your employee, it is your responsibility to keep him trained and provide him with "suitable" test equipment, and maintain it. As far as tools go, this is a little grey area, however, if the tool fails and injurs himself or another who is liable, as the tool would surely be work equipment covered by PUWER... Now if these guys are LOSC, or otherwise "subbies" then the training, tools, PPE etc. may well be their own responsibility. Why should any fully employed person on PAYE have to keep themselves up to date with training, when it is their employer who benefits, as long as, they are suitably qualified and competent when they join the organisation.

Those people are not aware of ILO conventions / recommendations.They are still living in back era. If they are under the employment of employer it is employer duty to provide safe tools , PPE and training which should be free of cost..

Walker is on the money. These guys are not electricians, probably wire or panel men. As a client, I would be insisting on delivery up of all trade certificates, indentures etc. No excuses! Jon