Question About Starting A Software Engineer Professional Development Program

[gentleman2222]

Hello, I reside in the U.S. and will be starting a software engineer Professional Development Program. In this program, people will receive hands-on experience and then later, classroom training. The people will be paid for the hands-on experience and pay an Attendance Fee for the classroom training.
Given the description above and the IRS note (shown below), I would like to know whether I can make the following statement to people considering attending the program:
“Because you are getting paid in our program, you are employed as a software engineer and therefore, your attendance fee is tax deductible.”
I look forward to your answer.

From https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc513
IRS Topic No. 513 Work-Related Education Expenses
You may be able to deduct work-related education expenses paid during the year. To be deductible, your expenses must be for education that (1) maintains or improves your job skills or (2) a law requires to keep your status or occupation. However, even if the education meets either of these tests, the education can't be part of a program that will qualify you for a new trade or business or that you need to meet the minimal educational requirements of your trade or business.

Although the education must relate to your present work, education expenses incurred during temporary absence from your job may also be deductible. After your temporary absence, you must return to the same kind of work. Usually, absence from work for one year or less is considered temporary.

Expenses that you can deduct include:

Tuition, books, supplies, lab fees, and similar items
Certain transportation and travel costs, and
Other educational expenses, such as the cost of research and typing

[andy-hughes]

This site, and the majority of its users are UK based, and will have no knowledge of US business law - you are more likely to have success if you direct your question to a US based website.