TMG Learning Budget

We are offering everyone the freedom to choose learning resources other than the Aardvark Book List for anything relating to our business under the TMG Learning Budget program. Using the (outside the boundary) example first mentioned here, avalanche learning relates to our business because it has risk management concepts that we can apply. Personnel will administer purchase/reimbursement, and approval in cases that you are unsure of.

How Learning Budget Works:

  • 100% cost reimbursement up to the amount of your Budget Award

  • 50% cost reimbursement for up to 5x your Budget Award ("dollar for dollar")

    • For example, if your Budget Award is $1000, all learning budget-related expenses incurred, $1,000 or less, would be paid by TMG. After the first $1,000 is spent, TMG will cover 50% of learning expenses up to 5x the Budget Award. If the individual in this example wanted to max out the Budget Award, he/she would incur $11,000 in learning expenses. $6,000 would be covered by TMG ($1,000 + 5 x $1,000), and the remaining would be covered by the recipient.

Additional Guidelines:

  • Gym memberships or workout classes will not be allowed (eg. FFC gym members are not learning budget eligible)

  • The Personnel Team may request you submit further details on purchases to ensure the item is going to be used for "learning related to our business".

  • If your learning budget redemption requires travel, all necessary hotels, flights, or rental cars must be preapproved and purchased using a company AMEX card. You will also be provided with a $40 per diem for meals.

While it may seem that reading and learning is most important for entry-level employees, we want our top performers to be constantly and creatively learning even more as they continue to mature in their careers.

 FAQs

  • Anyone who has been employed with TMG full time through at least one bonus cycle is eligible to receive an annual learning budget from TMG.

  • No, for neither Learning Budget nor Reading Program. Interns should focus on mastering the assigned books in training programs.

  • No for Learning Budget, Yes for Reading Program. First year employees should focus on mastering assigned material for their training & on-boarding as well as books from the Aardvark Book List.

  • Learning budget is “use it or lose it.”

  • Yes, expenses must be incurred and claims made within the relevant period, which runs from May 1 after bonus announcements to April 30 one year / 12 months later.

    e.g., 2025 Learning Budget year runs from May 1, 2025 to April 30, 2026.

    Expenses must be incurred (i.e., invoice date on item being claimed) must fall within this period, AND the claim must be submitted within this period.

  • No, except if more than 2 books from the Aardvark Book List without book reports written have been purchased. In that case additional books would count against the learning budget even if they are on the Aardvark Book List.

  • We welcome recommendations for addition to the Aardvark Book List. Please submit a review (see format) after reading to personnel@transmarketgroup.com and we will follow up.

  • Learning resources include newspapers, magazines, academic journals, web content providers, books, college or online courses, seminars, conferences, reasonable hardware linked to learning objectives, etc., are all within scope. Gym memberships, recreational equipment, ergonomic chairs* and other stuff from which you aren’t going to learn anything are not. The Department of Global Personnel will administer reimbursement and approval in cases you are unsure.

    *- NB check with your desk head if you feel you need, e.g., some IT hardware or furniture that is outside the scope of the learning budget

  • Learning and progression is the expectation for TMG employees and has a direct impact on the bonus allocated. We expect you to take advantage of this program to the benefit of yourself and the firm.