<p>He could write in a modification to the contract.</p>
<p>He needs to be very careful to make sure that he continues to get paid even if he is “benched”, that is, not on a current assignment. Or that if he does not have an assignment he is free to sell other employment without penalty. Our that they can’t make him move anywhere in the country to take an assignment. Etc.</p>
<p>There is no way that four weeks of Agile and Java training will cost the consulting company $20,000… this company is looking for a slave.</p>
<p>I would also check what would happen if the client wants to hire your son full-time. Starting as a contractor may be a good way to get into a decent company. These 20K may be an additional protection against losing a profitable contractor. </p>
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<p>Usually people’s houses don’t catch on fire, but we have insurance for that rare occasion. The OP’s son needs to confirm that he wouldn’t be liable for the 20K if he did contract an illness which kept him from working or suffered a devastating injury, etc. I’ve worked in ICUs and have seen plenty of young people in that exact situation, where they cannot work for a very long time, if ever again.</p>