> For the most part, bonding agreements ("you can't leave for X years without repaying us for your training") are considered exploitative and usually not legally enforceable.
They're common in the US too; they just aren't enforceable. However, I assume a lot of people aren't aware of that or else just feel grateful enough to an employer that offered them training of some significant value that they stick around for a few years.
Extremely common in the UK :(