For previous discussion on the same topic (different article), see https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=32905728 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=32905728

For previous discussion on the same topic (different article), see https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=32905728 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=32905728 My previous 2 cents was "I worked for a company that did this in a white collar capacity - FDM. I basically regard them as the scum of the Earth. However, unlike the article, they usually rent out their trainees as consultants to big companies with broken hiring practices. Myself and a lot of other people I know got an impressive name to put on our resumes and spun that into decent careers. So maybe I shouldn't be so harsh." I'll add that I also add that I have acquaintances who took 2 other paths out of the agreement: 1) Get training, get experience, break contract, get a much better paying job, lawyer up, don't pay company anything anything. 2) Get training, get experience, break contract, get a much better paying job, lawyer up, settle with company for a reduced training fee using a fraction of the wage increase.