# The training budget for the first quarter

“The training budget for the first quarter” is a learning and development coordinator job simulation on FinderK. You work at Corran Foods, an original fictional company, and complete 3 assignments in about 70 minutes. It is for anyone who wants to practice learning and development coordinator work. No previous work experience is required.

- Role: Learning and development coordinator
- Industry: Learning and development
- Career: People operations and recruiting (https://finderk.com/careers/people-operations)
- Level: Intermediate
- Time: About 70 minutes, 3 assignments
- Access: Included in Plus
- Created by: FinderK
- Work tools: Mail, Office documents and spreadsheets, Chat
- Page: https://finderk.com/simulations/the-training-budget-for-the-first-quarter
- Last updated: 2026-10-10

## Summary

Fourteen training requests and a budget that covers about half. Allocate it by the policy, check the compliance dates yourself, say no to a director's favourite course with a real alternative, and re-plan when Finance cuts the budget.

## Full brief

You are the learning and development coordinator at a food manufacturer. Fourteen requests for next quarter's training add up to far more than the budget. You allocate it in the policy's order, checking compliance requests against the certificate register and business critical requests against their evidence, and fund development by score. Then you tell the operations director his leadership programme is not funded and offer what you can, and you re-run the allocation when Finance trims the budget. Automated checks confirm your figures and saved work; your judgement is reviewed against the standard for the role.

## What is Corran Foods?

Corran Foods is a fictional maker of chilled ready meals with about 600 staff at one site in Wrexham. Its training budget is allocated each quarter under a policy that funds legal and audit requirements first, then dated business needs, then development by priority score. This case runs in late November and early December 2026. Amounts are in pounds.

## Who do you play?

You are the learning and development coordinator in the People team team. You prepare the quarterly training allocation under the training investment policy and book courses. You may recommend allocations, tell managers when a request is not funded and why, and offer alternatives. Siobhan approves allocations; any single item over 5,000 pounds also needs Leona. You may not change the policy's order or fund above the budget.

## What will you do?

1. 1. Allocate the quarter's budget (25 minutes)
2. 2. Tell Martin about the leadership programme (25 minutes)
3. 3. Re-plan after the budget cut (20 minutes)

## Which skills will you practice?

- Allocate a budget by a published order of priority
- Check requests against records before funding
- Say no to a senior manager with a real alternative
- Re-plan quickly when the budget changes

## Frequently asked questions

### How long does “The training budget for the first quarter” take?

About 70 minutes, across 3 assignments. When the time is up, you get 10 minutes to round up and submit. Pausing stops the clock.

### Is “The training budget for the first quarter” free?

No. It is included in FinderK Plus. With a free account you can also do it without grading.

### Do I need learning and development coordinator experience?

No. No previous work experience is required. The listed level is intermediate.

### What do I get when I finish?

You get feedback on each assignment you submit. Completing all required assignments earns a completion certificate. It records participation and is not professional accreditation.

### Is Corran Foods a real company?

No. Corran Foods is an original fictional company made for practice. Its coworkers may make mistakes, so check their suggestions against the evidence.