how binding is a contract if you haven't signed it (Employment)

[sallybb]

If you apply for a course in your workplace and you successfully start the course, but your circumstances change and you then have to leave that employment before completing .
How binding is the contract ?
When it states 'that if you leave within six months of completing the course, then you have to pay back the fees'. Please note that contract was never signed to except conditions.
Many thanks in advance for any advice or guidance

[Maydup]

Unless you dispute the contents of a contract it is assumed you have accepted them regardless of whether or not you signed it. Especially if you started the course; you can be assumed to have accepted the terms under which you are attending.

However it is unlikely the employers will chase you for repayment of the fee as its often not worth their trouble. Unless of course it is a huge amount of money which they have wasted and cannot recoup. They might accept a compromise.

[murraymints]

you don't have to sign a contract of employment..once issued it is deemed to have been accepted unless you immediately question/disagree with it

[sallybb]

Thanks to both Maidup and murraymints. I thought that was the case. I asked on behalf of a friend , the course I believe is in the region of between £5,000- £7,000 so I would imagine it would be worth their trouble. The annoying thing is that they also wrote in the contract that there would be no guarantee of a position after the training. The course is only half way through its two year length, and already the 9 individuals on it nationally have been told due to lack of funds there won't be any openings in the area they are being trained in. Oh dear sounds like I'm going to be the bearer of bad news.

[Maydup]

Seems odd sallybb, why would an employer invest that much in its staff if they didn't have work for them at the end?

[sallybb]

its a charity , which relies on donations. They have had a very bad year, since the course started. They are making redundancies at higher level. Although they will have to continue the course (university based). The additional wages they cannot afford.

[Jipper]

It depends on where you live.