Training Costs and Minimum Attendance Requirements
The costs for holding an On-Site Training Event can vary greatly, and the greatest variables for us are the expenses related to travelling. Because all of our expenses have been going up recently, we have had to raise our rates this year. However, we have decided to maintain our lower attendance requirements. Our Minimum Attendance Requirement is 15 people for all 30-Hour and 15-Hour workshops.
In order to make things easier for everyone, the rates for all of our 30-Hour workshops are the same... and that rate is $25/Contact-Hour... which translates to $750/person. So a workshop with a 15 person minimum would cost a minimum of $11,250. Any extra attendees beyond those minimum numbers would also cost an extra $750 for each additional person.
We also have some Two-Day Training workshops that are only 15 Contact-Hours long. The rate that we charge for a single 15-Hour workshop is $30/Contact-Hour... which equals $450/person. The Minimum Attendance requirement for a 15-Hour workshop is 15 people. So a 15-Hour workshop with a 15 person minimum would have a minimum cost of $6,750, and any extra attendees would be charged an additional $450/person. (If two 15-Hour workshops are scheduled back-to-back, then we will only charge the lower 30-Hour rate of $25/Contact-Hour, which would then add up to only $750/person for 4 days of training, instead of $900/person).
Any custom workshops, such as a Community Improvement Project (CIP) or a Custom Training Event (CTE), will be discussed on an individual basis. These would still be billed at the same rates, but would also include the additional costs of any materials used in the project.
Deposit and Refund Policy for On-Site Workshops
Due to the considerably high upfront costs of delivering Hands-On Training Events such as these, we do require a deposit before making our preparations and travel arrangements. The deposit amount is calculated at a rate of $1000/day, for each full-day of training ordered. This equates to a deposit of $2000 for a 15-hour workshop, and a $4000 deposit for a 30-hour workshop. This deposit amount will be subtracted from the full payment total, the remainder of which will be due upon completion of the last day of training, unless other arrangements are made. Under certain conditions we will occasionally waive this deposit.
Our Refund Policy for Deposits is as follows:
In the case of any rescheduling, the Total Deposit Amount will simply transfer to any new dates.
50% of the Total Deposit Amount will be refunded if the workshop is cancelled by the client and TFT is notified at least 30 days prior to the scheduled event.
The Total Deposit Amount is Non-Refundable if cancellation and notification by the client occurs less than 30 days prior to the scheduled event.
A full refund of the Total Deposit Amount will be returned to the client if Training For Tomorrow is forced to cancel any workshops.
Flexible 4 and 5 Day Schedules
There are two basic training schedules to choose from for a typical 30-Hour workshop: either 4 longer days or 5 shorter days... whichever is more convenient. Our default schedule is 8:00am-5:00pm every day (with an hour lunch). And because "Contact Hours" do not include breaktime or lunchtime, this equals 7.5 Contact Hours each day. When we shorten the days to only 6 Contact Hours, then the start and stop times become more flexible. We can do a 5-day schedule that starts earlier in the day... like 8:00am-3:30pm... or one that starts later in the day, like 9:30am-5:00pm. Arrangements can even be made for doing workshops on the weekends or afterhours.
On-Site Hosting Requirements
The main considerations for hosting a workshop are room size, air-conditioning or heating, ventilation, and the availability of electricity. A typical Hands-On Workshop requires at least 50 square feet per person, which translates into a minimum of 1000 square feet for a smaller class, while a larger class might need 2000 square feet, or more. This is because of all of the tables, chairs, tools, supplies, mockups and other equipment that might go along with any particular workshop. The tables get beat up a bit, so we usually bring our own (unless we're flying)... however we usually need the Hosting Organization to supply enough chairs for all of the attendees.
Other important considerations would include access to restrooms (often overlooked). There should also be adequate parking for all attendees, and the workshop location should be reasonably close to a restaurant, or have other lunchtime food choices. The room should be able to be secured after hours, and no other activities should be scheduled for the same space during the time of the scheduled Training Event.
Other issues to consider are noise, dust and odors... we are, after all, doing real work. With some trades like Carpentry, Drywall and Painting, we are better off having some outdoor areas where we can set up a work station or two. Of course, we can always put down protective plastic and do the work inside (being sure to clean up afterward).
Discounts and Incentives
Though our rates are already competitively priced, we also offer a couple of avenues for lowering the cost of a workshop even further.
If we are able to piggyback two or more 30-Hour Workshops together, scheduled back-to-back... then we are able to lower the price, or lower the Minimum Attendance Requirement, therby lowering the overall cost. This can be two workshops for the same client... or one workshop each, for two or more clients from the same region. Delivering two or more workshops on the same road trip allows us to share the expenses between them, which lowers our costs and allows us more flexibility.
If a client schedules two 15-Hour Workshops back-to-back, then we will charge the 30-hour rate of $25/contact-hour, instead of $30/contact-hour... so instead of $900/person for four days of training, it would only be $750/person. That saves $150/person, and with a 15 person minimum that comes out to at least $2,250 in savings.
If you would like to talk to us about hosting a training event in your area...