Using investment strategies developed at Company A to make money for Company B would likely be a violation of your NDA. Even if you didn't use anything you learned at Company B, you might still expect a trade secrets lawsuit if they really suspect you did (printing out docs, storing docs off network, etc.) There already is plenty that companies can do to protect trade secrets from leaving with employees that don't require you to find a new career field. Like maybe Company A can better separate the work so that every software engineer doesn't need to have access to the secret sauce or simply making the job more attractive so that the ones with the secret sauce don't feel the need to leave at all. Why would a company bother to work hard to retain you if they know that leaving would involve taking a pay cut, relocating, or having to restart your career elsewhere? Employers may offer more initially when hiring non-compete workers but there's little incentive to grow their wages. As for training costs, many companies already require extra years of service for educational assistance. Simply make the employee pay back any training costs if they voluntarily leave for a new job within 6 months after initial training is concluded.