Pluspunten
If you're on the bench (i.e. they can't find a client for you; medium-high probability), you're likely to have a lot of free time to pursue other avenues. Ideal for going to the gym/cinema, or scheduling interviews when you realise what you've got yourself into and are looking for another job.
Minpunten
I decided to take some of INOV8’s actual marketing claims and counter them to illustrate their failings, so to quote them directly… "Sometimes we just have to tell it like it is." "Our team enjoy working for INOV8, we invest in training and development" Feedback is generally terrible from what I've seen and heard, especially with career development. "Feel like you are not getting the progression or recognition you would like in your current role?" Ironically this how I felt when INOV8 WAS my current role, so christ knows what this is all about. "Be part of an up and coming consultancy firm who really value their employees and have clear scope for progression." He values the paycheck you bring in for him and values you enough to throw you a few crumbs for your trouble. The clear scope for progression is likely just iteratively raising the day rate he hires you out for, I wouldn't expect any actual progression that is for your own benefit. Employees are encouraged/forced to go on training courses every 6-12 months, not because it's relevant for your job, but because your contract says training costs must be paid back if you leave within X time, so it's simply to discourage you from leaving, and then is used as a threat when you do leave. Also, don't bother trying to dispute it, he docks your final pay packets of the training costs so that you'd basically have to sue him to recoup it. Tip – get your bonus, and hand it in the day it clears your bank account, that way you can mitigate the costs. Also, if you can, schedule holidays for the known down-times so they don’t have an excuse to send you on some pointless training.