Program Backed Candidate Terms & Conditions

1. Introduction

Welcome to Program Backed.

Program Backed provides an independent programme protection framework that allows participating education providers, career programmes, and employment support providers to document, manage, and administer candidate commitments.

These Terms & Conditions govern your use of the Program Backed platform and your participation in programmes provided by participating providers.

By applying for, enrolling in, or participating in a programme connected with Program Backed, you agree to these Terms and Conditions.

Program Backed is not itself an education provider, employer, recruitment agency, or employment guarantor unless expressly stated otherwise within a specific agreement.

2. Definitions

For the purposes of these Terms:

• "Program Backed" means the platform and framework administrator responsible for managing programme commitments and candidate records.
• "Provider" means the education provider, training company, career service, or employment support organisation delivering the programme.
• "Candidate" means an individual enrolled onto a programme.
• "Candidate Agreement" means the specific agreement between the Candidate and the Provider setting out the programme details, obligations, commitments, and any applicable refund protection.
• "Programme" means the education, training, career, or employment support programme provided by a Provider.
• "Employment Commitment" means any employment-related commitment offered by a Provider and documented within the Candidate Agreement.

3. Eligibility Requirements

To participate in a programme supported by Program Backed, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old unless otherwise permitted by the Provider.
• Provide accurate and complete information.
• Provide any required identification or verification documents.
• Accept these Terms and Conditions.
• Accept any applicable Candidate Agreement.
• Meet all ongoing programme participation requirements.

Program Backed and participating Providers reserve the right to refuse, suspend, or terminate participation where information provided is inaccurate, misleading, fraudulent, or incomplete.

4. Candidate Responsibilities

You acknowledge that successful completion of a programme requires active participation.

You agree to:

• Complete all required coursework and learning activities.
• Spend the minimum required time participating in the programme.
• Attend scheduled mentoring, coaching, and support sessions.
• Complete assessments, projects, assignments, or practical tasks.
• Respond to communications from the Provider.
• Follow reasonable instructions provided by the Provider.
• Maintain professional conduct throughout the programme.

Failure to meet participation requirements may affect eligibility for any programme protection, refund commitment, or employment commitment.

5. Programme Participation Requirements

Each Provider may establish specific programme requirements.

These requirements may include:

• Minimum weekly participation hours.
• Attendance requirements.
• Completion deadlines.
• Assessment requirements.
• Behavioural standards.
• Job application requirements.

The specific requirements applicable to you will be confirmed within your Candidate Agreement.

6. Employment Support and Opportunities

Where employment support forms part of a programme, the Provider may assist Candidates through services including:

• CV support.
• Interview preparation.
• Career coaching.
• Employer introductions.
• Vacancy support.
• Skills development.

Candidates understand that participation in employment support does not guarantee employment unless an Employment Commitment is expressly included within their Candidate Agreement.

Candidates remain responsible for actively engaging with employment opportunities.

7. Employment Commitments

Some Providers may offer an Employment Commitment as part of their programme.

Where applicable, the details of the Employment Commitment will be clearly stated within the Candidate Agreement.

Any Employment Commitment is provided by the Provider and not automatically by Program Backed.

Program Backed's role is to administer and record documented commitments made by Providers.

Unless expressly stated in writing, Program Backed does not:

• Guarantee employment.
• Guarantee a specific salary.
• Guarantee acceptance by any employer.
• Guarantee a specific job role.
• Act as the employer of any Candidate.

8. Programme Completion

A Candidate will generally be considered to have completed a programme when they have:

• Completed all mandatory coursework.
• Completed required assessments.
• Met attendance requirements.
• Satisfied participation requirements.
• Completed any required projects or practical activities.
• Received confirmation of completion from the Provider.

The official programme completion date will be determined by the Provider.

9. Programme Outcome Protection / Refund Commitment

Where a Candidate Agreement includes a refund commitment, the Candidate may become eligible for a refund if:

• The Candidate successfully completes the programme.
• The Candidate satisfies all participation requirements.
• The Candidate complies with all reasonable Provider instructions.
• The Candidate actively participates in employment support.
• The Provider fails to fulfil the specific commitment stated within the Candidate Agreement.

Refund eligibility is determined according to the terms of the applicable Candidate Agreement.

Completion of a programme alone does not automatically create a right to a refund.

10. Refund Conditions

A Candidate may lose eligibility for a refund where they:

• Withdraw from the programme voluntarily.
• Fail to complete required programme activities.
• Fail to meet participation requirements.
• Fail to attend interviews or employment opportunities without reasonable explanation.
• Reject suitable employment opportunities without reasonable justification.
• Provide false or misleading information.
• Engage in fraudulent behaviour.
• Breach these Terms or the Candidate Agreement.

11. Refund Processing Timeline

Where a refund has been approved under the applicable Candidate Agreement:

• Refund processing will begin 90 days after the official programme completion date.
• The refund amount and payment schedule will be determined by the applicable Candidate Agreement.
• Payments may be made as a single payment or through agreed instalments.
• Candidates will receive confirmation of any approved refund arrangements.

12. Provider Responsibilities

Participating Providers are responsible for delivering their programmes and fulfilling commitments stated within their Candidate Agreements.

Provider responsibilities may include:

• Delivering programme content.
• Providing mentoring and support.
• Providing career assistance.
• Supporting employment opportunities.
• Honouring refund commitments where applicable.

Program Backed does not replace or assume the contractual responsibilities of Providers.

13. Program Backed's Role

Program Backed provides a framework designed to improve transparency, accountability, and confidence between Candidates and Providers.

Program Backed may:

• Maintain programme records.
• Monitor documented commitments.
• Support communication between Candidates and Providers.
• Assist with administration of programme protections.

Program Backed is not responsible for:

• The quality of programme delivery.
• Employer hiring decisions.
• Candidate performance.
• Provider business decisions.
• Employment outcomes unless expressly agreed in writing.

14. Fraud Prevention and Misuse

Program Backed reserves the right to investigate suspected:

• Fraud.
• False claims.
• Misrepresentation.
• Abuse of the platform.
• Attempts to manipulate refund processes.

Where misuse is identified, Program Backed may suspend access, remove eligibility for programme protections, and take any appropriate action.

15. Complaints and Dispute Resolution

Candidates should first raise complaints relating to programme delivery, support, or commitments directly with the relevant Provider.

Where a complaint relates specifically to Program Backed's administration of the framework, Candidates may contact Program Backed for review.

Program Backed will make reasonable efforts to assist in resolving disputes between Candidates and Providers.

Nothing within these Terms affects any statutory rights available to Candidates under applicable consumer protection laws.

16. Consumer Rights

Nothing within these Terms is intended to remove, restrict, or limit any legal rights you may have under applicable consumer protection legislation.

17. Data Protection

Program Backed processes Candidate information in accordance with applicable data protection laws.

Candidate information may be shared with relevant Providers where necessary to:

• Deliver programmes.
• Verify eligibility.
• Administer commitments.
• Provide employment support.
• Manage refunds.

Candidates should review the Program Backed Privacy Policy for further information.

18. Changes to These Terms

Program Backed may update these Terms from time to time.

The version applicable to your participation will be the version accepted at the time you enter into your Candidate Agreement unless changes are required by law.

19. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Program Backed shall not be liable for:

• Employment decisions made by employers.
• Provider failures unrelated to Program Backed's direct actions.
• Candidate decisions or actions.
• Loss of opportunity, income, or career progression.

Nothing in these Terms excludes liability that cannot legally be excluded.

20. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms and any dispute arising from or connected with them shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.

The courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any disputes arising under these Terms.