Scheidegger / Skills Train

[Helper]

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[SCORPIAN_KING80]

UPDATE

My [negative] Review on CIAO has been removed until the matter is resolved. I understand that some of you may have been refered to this forum from the links posted on that review.

More information on exactly why the review was removed can be found on the below link:

http://www.ciao.co.uk/Scheidegger__Review_5585983

My identity is known by Skills Train from previous resolved issues. I recieved a full refund, a free computer and permitted to continue the course free of charge about 2 years ago.
I had put this bad experience behind me until prompted by Skills Train about the Review on CIAO, and no doubt every single word I type is being monitored by Skills Train and/or their legal representatives; so do not be surprised if this sounds a bit to formal/legal.

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MY HUMBLE REQUEST TO ALL

Whether you have had a positive or negative experience with Skills Train or any other company for that matter; then please write a review on CIAO, on the above link, so that potential students can make an informed decision and pursue/verify the claims made by the 'course advisor' from Multimedia Computer Training with Skills Train, thus reducing the level of unsatisfied customers/students, as they will know exactly what the course entails.

Your Review will help others, like yourselves.

PLEASE WRITE A REVIEW HERE:
http://www.ciao.co.uk/Reviews/Scheidegger__22656
Whether it be a large article or small, it will help, so please contribute a few minutes of your time that can help someone so much.

================================================== ===
The LAUNCH of the COMBAT KIT PROJECT

I am considering putting together a consumer rights combat kit to help the uniformed with:
vital legal knowledge, know how, writing a professional letter of complaint/replies, template/generic professional pre-written letters of complaint, CAB, tips & advice for the entire process/procedure of complaining to notifying Trading Standards, BBC Watchdog ect. As well as how to respond to letters from the company concerned, whether that be Skills Train or any other company, listed examples [from experience] of salesman tactics/methods, salesman psychology and a fool proof way to refute, Critical analysis of letter(s) from the company concerned and/or informal sales pitch, contact details of other students/BBC Watchdog/Inside Out, a link to the report on Skills Train by the BBC, contact card of the Trading Standards Officer dealing with ST complaints ect.

The COMBAT KIT will be in *.pdf form, around 30-50+ pages, page numbered, indexed, and Harvard style referenced, as well as a disclaimer protecting the author from any legal action from the company concerned, the entire COMBAT KIT and more importantly the Disclaimer will be checked by a professional in the legal field, and once approved will be released.

What do you think?
I would like your input and help in making such a COMBAT KIT for the newbies, since my email is flooded with people who claim to be 'Students of Skills Train', and who also claim to be 'unsatisfied students', although these claims have not been proven, and can be considered mere conjecture.


Obviously, I cannot respond to them all, nor can I differentiate between a valid unsatisfied Skills Train student and a pseudo-Skills Train student, so this combat kit will be posted here [or a link to it], and using an automated email reply system from one of my old email addresses{or a completely new one named appropriately for its purpose} to anyone who sends a email with the title: 'Combat Kit.pdf'.

If anyone knows how to do this, then please let me know, I really need as much help as I can get to get this combat kit out there for you guys. This combat kit will not benefit me in any way, in fact it will take time and research to put together; I have the knowledge/experience/refund this will benefit people yet to find this forum, and existing members on this thread.

Please help, even if it be a small amount of information, which will go in the combat kit. In the mean time, I will research this further, but this will take me weeks-months to complete on my own.


Your help will be appreciated, thanking you in advance

Kind Regards,

SCORPIAN_KING

P.S. Well done to the person who found the link to the PM, and to the other person who suggested the petition! I will look into both.
Has anyone started the petition yet? 200 petitions are needed right? I have enough contacts of unsatisfied students to fulfill half that number, around 114 people, Yes thats ONE HUNDRED & FOURTEEN, ranging from NHS staff to civil servants, if all sign the petition that is, such people will add to the credibility or catalyse such a petition, due to their position in the government and health sector, including myself.

================================================== ===========================================
THE 2ND SET of MISSION OBJECTIVES

{The first set of mission objective were to get a refund and notify CAB, Trading Standards, BBC Inside Out/Watchdog, and more importantly OTHERS! {through the CIAO Review, now removed}, I consider all this ticked and completed}

Oh Skills Train Why did you re-awaken me after 2 years, it would have been better for you if you let me be...Now that I have be woken up and reminded of those who are struggling with letters of complaint, advice and in despair. I will stop once the Combat Kit is complete and the email system as envisioned is working perfectly, and that everyone of those 114+ who contact me will receive a copy of the Combat kit to disperse as lavishly as their hearts desire.

-Second, to do all in my power to make sure the petition is established, and signed by as many people as I can find.

-Third, to update your [Skills Train] local Trading Standards and my local Trading Standards of the recent developments, as well as any other organisation(s) that can help. To update the BBC, particularly BBC Watchdog and BBC INSIDE OUT show(s), respectively, and to allow boundless communication between these various organisations by providing the contact details of each organisation/contact details of 114+ list of unsatisfied students, respectively.

- Fourth, to notify my local newspapers [since I see ST leaflets are still be dispersed door-to-door in my area], and National Newspapers of the story at hand, and contacts of current students wishing to make themselves heard by the masses, and God-willing such articles will be published

Remember when you said repeatedly that I am a 'smart/intelligient guy' on the phone conversation with Dannesh from Skills Train Legal Dept., well I have only just begun, but I appreciated the sweet talk :). By the way, Dannesh can be contacted on 01582 748858, UK Landline {I believe}, that is if you are having difficulty getting your complaint across, and assuming your complaint is matured to correct position in the 'procedure'.

I will pursue the following objectives over the next few weeks/months, and I will appreciate any support in my endeavours.



"He has the right to criticize who has the heart to help."
Abraham Lincoln 1809-1865, 16th US President


What you Resist, Persists - basic law of psychology [the moto used medically for treating OCD]....
Resistance - removal of independant consumer review
Persistance - 2nd set of Objectives established, thanks to this move

[Helper]

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[TAM]

certainly interested. lets get one started!! dont know how to go about it myself but count me in

[SCORPIAN_KING80]

While the internet is a valuable tool for free speech it is unregulated and we know from experience that many of the comments made on these forums are NOT from genuine SkillsTrain students or even from people that have had any dealings with our company. Genuine students have direct contact with SkillsTrain through their unique intranet log-in, as well as full details of our phone number and address.

Due to the Data Protection Act we cannot discuss individual problems from students on these forums, so we have set up a special phone number to prioritise calls from genuine students who are contributing to this website.

Please phone 01582 543636 and quote your student number and the forum name and we shall be pleased to discuss your grievance.

Our aim is to get things right 100% of the time and we appreciate the opportunity to do so - SkillsTrain

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A DIRE WARNING TO ALL

Do not, I repeat do not, by any means give your 'forum name', they can use this against you, if you posted statements out of ignorance that are considered Defamatory, and in breach of the Defamations Act 1996, then you can get in trouble.
By all means, discuss your 'grievance' and problems with Skills Train, this is how I got my refund, but again I repeat do not give out your forum username, no matter how much they persist. Unless Skills Train give priority to those on this forum?, which is the underlying assumption in the above argument, which will be very unjust; your complaint should be taken seriously whether you have posted/participated on this forum or not!
In my opinion, I believe that the users on this thread are seen as a threat to Skills Train, thus the reason for the 'special phone number', and disclosing your identity in the complaint process via telephone. We are collectively having an effect on them.

"many of the comments made on these forums are NOT from genuine SkillsTrain students or even from people that have had any dealings with our company"

Well I have to say, interesting conspiracy theory, but in my opinion, the amount of detail and similarity in everyone's experience can not be put down to pseudo/fake skills train students', and why would so many people, who has advanced this thread to over 1000 one thousand posts, waste their time for no apparant reason?. Further, SkillsTrain if you believed that the comments on this forum are not from genuine students, then why monitor these forums so rigidly?, and provide a 'special phone number'.

Logically, there is no need for the 'special phone number' since as you stated "comments made on these forums are NOT from genuine SkillsTrain students " and that "Genuine students have direct contact with SkillsTrain through their unique intranet log-in, as well as full details of our phone number and address."


What you say is contradictory to your actions. Do not insult our intelligence...

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The True Conspiracy Theory?

Some people are not genuine, that is absolutely correct, if you refer to the first post in this thread you will find this comment:

"Some people have been participating in this thread with multiple accounts from the same IP. They have been banned, but I wont delete their posts. Below you can see who they are and what IPs their accounts are associated with.

IP 85.234.133.71
steviet
ziggycat
mandy may
canal captain

IP 217.154.30.90
mikeyp
welsh wizard
professor poop
gregory's boy
Scorpian_King81
StephenT
The Wright Stuf
Tom_Shorrock

IP 74.52.151.80
bob the bruce
lionheart
julie_m
greatgeek

IP 85.234.133.232
Amy's Dad
JuneB
stevieT"

To my knowledge & in my opinion, these people were advocates and possibly confederates to Skills Train/Scheidegger, one must ask why would they create multiple usernames and leave positive comments about Skills Train, and counter-argue those who claim to be Skills Train students and are unsatisfied with Skills Train? Were they genuine Skills Train students?, or possibly, and in my opinion, Skills Train staff forced to result to desperate measures to promote their own company? Applying the Occam's Razor philosophic rule {The simplest explanation that fits the facts}, you will find that my theory is more logical, and thus superior.

YOU DECIDE...

[alap123]

this thread is getting busy again, i've remained quiet because of their threats but it is very difficult when you know so many people aren't happy.

[SCORPIAN_KING80]

this thread is getting busy again, i've remained quiet because of their threats but it is very difficult when you know so many people aren't happy.

Me too. I have kept quite as well due to the matter being resolved, yet opened once more with the demands from Skills Train to delete my consumer review of skills train on CIAO, thus removing all traces of my experience from the internet.

I will continue to speak out...

[treefella]

Hi Scorpion, good to see you still keeping an eye on the place.

Very wise advice to all concerned... ================================================== ===
A DIRE WARNING TO ALL

Do not, I repeat do not, by any means give your 'forum name', they can use this against you, if you posted statements out of ignorance that are considered Defamatory, and in breach of the Defamations Act 1996, then you can get in trouble.
By all means, discuss your 'grievance' and problems with Skills Train, this is how I got my refund, but again I repeat do not give out your forum username, no matter how much they persist....

"...many of the comments made on these forums are NOT from genuine SkillsTrain students or even from people that have had any dealings with our company..."


Just to inform the people who missed the Happy Skillstrain Customer (http://forums.digitaltrends.com/showthread.php?t=11798) thread fiasco, the banned users were the only 'happy customers' who posted. They were also the people who flamed genuinely unhappy customers and posted information on students only available to employees of Skillstrain or one of their associated companies. Feel free to draw your own conclusions as to the sort of people you're dealing with.
That said, don't give up the fight to have your consumer rights upheld. This article (http://www.fool.co.uk/news/your-money/2008/05/06/types-of-scam-to-end-this-month.aspx?source=ioowftxt0010011) might give you some useful pointers as how to find a solution to your grievances.
Do follow Scorpion's advice. Do not be bullied or intimidated into not posting your experiences (They threatened Digital Trends (http://www.chillingeffects.org/international/notice.cgi?NoticeID=1776)). Do not give up.
And yes, I was a student and I did have dealings with Skillstrain.

[Helper]

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[bennyboy]

I too feel i've been miss sold goods by skillstrain, i signed up to do a course with skillstrain, it became quickly apparent that the course ws not what i'd been told it would be!
I've recently contacted consumer direct and written a letter to skillstrain requesting to cancel the course!
I have received a reply today which does not mention anywhere my request to cancel the course and also implies that the matter is dealt with.
I'm not really sure what to do from this point as i am aware contacting trading standards and watchdog are options however i just wish to cancel my course and move on with my life.
I have cancelled my standing order for payment and will not pay another penny to CDF.
Any advise as to what i should do next would be greatly appreciated!!

[Rinoa]

What's the difference between the two finance companies Scheidegger seem to use for signing students up to?

Clydesdale Financial Services
Career Development Finance LTD

Is there a link between the two companies? Why is one chosen over the other? Has anyone successfully cancelled their contract with CDF and had a full refund?

[bennyboy]

Clydesdale are a part of barcleys financial services
CDF i'm presuming are part of Skillstrain as they are at the same postal address and yesterday i rang the "priority number" and a women ansmwered the phone "CDF" something fishy i think!

One more interesting thing i've found out, i had a copy of my credit file sent to me from experian and although there are check from barcleys financial sevrices for £2700 there is no record of any credit with CDF!!
I'm presuming they tried to arrange finance for me through clydesdale (barclays) my credit report was not so good and it is now arranged through CDF!!

This all smells very fishy to me!

[Rinoa]

Clydesdale are a part of barcleys financial services
CDF i'm presuming are part of Skillstrain as they are at the same postal address and yesterday i rang the "priority number" and a women ansmwered the phone "CDF" something fishy i think!

One more interesting thing i've found out, i had a copy of my credit file sent to me from experian and although there are check from barcleys financial sevrices for £2700 there is no record of any credit with CDF!!
I'm presuming they tried to arrange finance for me through clydesdale (barclays) my credit report was not so good and it is now arranged through CDF!!

This all smells very fishy to me!


Bennyboy, thank you for replying. I checked my Experian credit report last year (signed up to Skillstrain about 3 years ago) and there was no sign of CDF checking my file either. I also find that odd!

I can't remember if I had Clydesdale/Barclays checking my report, but I would guess if they had they probably refused me credit as I was in a bit of financial bother at the time.

I think you may be right that CDF are a part of Skillstrain. I remember the sales rep telling me he was doing a credit check over the phone and said I'd passed(!) and that I was able to sign up despite me arguing I couldn't afford to.

[bennyboy]

The plot is thickening here!

I have just cancelled my standing order for payment to CDF, i'm wondering if payment is not met whether it will be a default as it is not even registered as credit i have!
Anyone with any experience in this field please chip in as it seems we must all stick together here!!

[Rinoa]

I stopped paying via direct debit after about two payments and have paid via giro cheque ever since. Well, up until last month anyway. They're not having a penny more from me.

I never informed them of my new address when I moved house so if they've sent threatening letters I haven't received them :)

[kkr]

Please would you be able to advise further i need to cancel my skills train course asap i have been signed up since december 2007.






frequent visitors to this forum may recognise my name and know that I have also been having problems with Skills Train UK.

Many of my posts were deleted by myself when Skills Train started to threaten legal action against me if I did not go away. I disappeared and then 2 months later reminded them that I am not going away until this gets sorted.

I then got a letter saying that they had came to a decision where if I wanted I could cancel my course and take a full refund of all fees paid, obviously I emailed and rang up within a couple of days to accept the offer and I then received a cheque a week later for the full refund (£2000).

I am posting the message now because the cheque has cleared, I would of posted last week when I got the cheque but they would of only cancelled the cheque no doubt.

I am posting this message in hope that Skills Train will start to give more refunds out to those students and only those students that were also signed up in error. I have always said that if you are trying to cancel and get a refund and claiming you were signed up in error when really you just dont like the course then you are making it more difficult for the real students that have issues. If you do have issues iwth Skills Train then you can see from myself that it worked for me eventually by keeping strong.

Good luck everyone with your cases.

James Hollingsworth

[SCORPIAN_KING80]

Clydesdale are a part of barcleys financial services
CDF i'm presuming are part of Skillstrain as they are at the same postal address and yesterday i rang the "priority number" and a women ansmwered the phone "CDF" something fishy i think!

One more interesting thing i've found out, i had a copy of my credit file sent to me from experian and although there are check from barcleys financial sevrices for £2700 there is no record of any credit with CDF!!
I'm presuming they tried to arrange finance for me through clydesdale (barclays) my credit report was not so good and it is now arranged through CDF!!

This all smells very fishy to me!

This is very odd, this topic was brought up previously in this thread 1-2years ago, I think. It is strange that your credit rating is not affected or identified by other companies, banks or websites. I notified Trading Standards of this previously, I will do so again, and keep the pressure on them.

[R0X45]

I wrote to Skills Train (recorded delivery, as suggested) asking to quit the course and they have responded and said that was fine but I had to send them back their training materials which I have done, about a week ago. I have a certificate of posting to prove that as well. :)

I haven't had a response back to say they've arrived and I'm off the hook. Can I expect one?

Also, do you think I will get my £50.00 deposit back? Has anyone managed to cancel the course early enough and have received a refund?

I also cancelled my standing order with the company; I called my bank the same day I wrote to Skills Train in order to quit the course.

Thanks for all the advice everyone! If I hadn't found this site I would probably have been earnestly studying for nothing by now! :sure

[ukminiman]

yeh i got hit by this myself

initially just phoned to get details/costs, unemployed so just wanting costs.
got the 'oh we have an advisor in your area tommorow' speech.

advisor arrived day after on time, we talked for at least 2 hours, not always relevant to the course, friendly chap. i did tell him i was disabled on benefits and was looking to find work from home. assured that was all no problem, they could help me find a job once the course was completed.

told the guy i had very little money available to fund the course, was told that would be no problem as the course was goverment funded.....

i was told places were limited, if i did not sign up there and then i was not going to get on the course for another year. :brick

at the end of the interview i was asked to give a 50 pound enrollment fee, this i understood and paid. after that was paid, things sped up, i was handed a wad of papers to sign, no time to read or check anything, it was sign this, sign that........

i was left with a copy of the enrollment fee credit slip, and the course enrollment papers.

a week later, recieved the letter stating course had been paid for by CDF and i was free to start the course

2 months after that, i noticed i was well into my overdraft, started checking, 2 payments of £75 to CDF, checked the direct debits, nothing there, checked standing orders, to my suprise, CDF had taken 2 payments, and i was due to pay one a month for 3 years.

i immediately rang Skillstrain, told them the situation, told them i would not have signed up to the course knowing i had to pay 75 quid a month for 3 years, 75 quid id almost a quarter of my total income :eww
they told me i was outside my agreement and couldnt cancel, that i should speak to CDF, got the number and spoke to CDF telling them the same thing, i also asked for copies of my agreement,which i got 3 days later, they advised me to speak to the citizens advice.

went there the following day, the guy said there was little he could do other than refer me to consumer direct. which im on with now.

advised by consumer direct to write to skillstrain and CDF asking to cancel, outline all the details and ask them for a reply within 7 days. tommorow is 7 days and no reply so far. did that by recorded mail.

long story i know

highlights are :

low income, inability to pay course fees over long term
was told course would be funded by goverment
was not told course would be self financed
was not given copies of anything signed other than the enrollment fee slip and course agreement papers
recieved no information from CDF till it was requested about the course fee agreement

well, as it stands i shall speak to the guy at consumer direct tommorow, have prepared scans of the all the paperwork.

wish me luck, i am SO going to need it

[ukminiman]

what a suprise

no reply to my first letter

spoke to consumer direct again, they advised me that without proof of any wrong doing i am going to have a hard time getting out of the agreement

i was told i was supposed to have been left with a copy of the agreement when the advisor left ny house, he didnt, and was supposed to have recieved a second copy within a week with my right to cancel, again nothing.

consumer direct advised me to write to CDF again, recorded. informing them that theyre in breach of contract by not doing this and see what happens

i am going to wait till monday where i have an appointment with a solicitor

will update as things go on

[ayasofea]

Hello everyone

My nightmare with skillstrain/scheidegger still not end. I am tired and going to end it now. I in the mids of drafting my letter. Email my MP John Redwood but he said he can't help me on this. I feel really sick after reading about their CEO giving money to no 10. If for your info they also have open up facebook account. so disgusting with their phony picture and look so mediocre.

[Rinoa]

Hello everyone

My nightmare with skillstrain/scheidegger still not end. I am tired and going to end it now. I in the mids of drafting my letter. Email my MP John Redwood but he said he can't help me on this. I feel really sick after reading about their CEO giving money to no 10. If for your info they also have open up facebook account. so disgusting with their phony picture and look so mediocre.

Funny you mention their Facebook group... I joined the unhappy Skillstrain students group on Facebook a few weeks ago after someone advertising the group on here. Now I can't seem to find the group at all on Facebook.

Do you think Skillstrain / Scheidegger have had the group removed from Facebook?

[esaul]

Hi all. Another Skills Train victim here. I've had my eye on this thread for some time and thought I'd make a post now as my position has suddenly taken a turn for the worst.

I signed up in April last year, given the same hard sell as everyone else (guranteed job at the end of the course, limited places so join now). Anyway, shortly afterwards I realised this wasn't what I wanted to do so I cancelled the standing order after a couple of payments and sent them letters to try to get out of the course, obviously that didn't work. After a couple of months of writing letters I'd pretty much given up and so ended up making credit payments to them as I couldn't cover it any other way.

Now for some reason these stopped a few months back, now with it being a regular credit card payment only they can cancel it, and it wasn't any problem with my end because the card hasn't changed and I'm not near my limit.

A few weeks back I got a letter from CDF warning that if I didn't make any payments they'd pass my details on to a debt collection company, i decided to ignore it given that it was their mistake anyway. Then on Saturday I received a letter from "Debt & Revenue Services" who are part of a company called Commercial Credit Management giving me a court warning notice unless I don't pay the remaining amount in full in seven days.

So what should I do? I went to the CAB when I received the letter from CDF but they were rubbish and just said that someone would give me a phone call to discuss it, which they didn't. I'm thinking I might give CDF a phone and shout at them, how can they pass me on to a debt collection company because THEY stopped taking my payments? It's ridiculous

[bennyboy]

I still cannot believe the amount of victims that have become trapped by this con!

I have now recieved two letters from Skillstrain and made numerous phonecalls and still no joy, at first they seem to pass the buck to the "Marketing company" who have replied with a letter basically implying that i am lying!
In my letter i mentioned that i wanted to cancel my course and credit agreement, in my reply there was no mention at all of this!
I too signed up on this course as i felt my life needed some direction and now it just seems i've become part of an elaborate con!

I really dont know which way to turn or what to do, its affecting my sleep and in turn my health, it amazed that these people are allowed to get away with this time after time!

[hero1978]

I too signed up for a SkillsTrain course, but cancelled within a couple of days after reading this forum. I called in a sales guy from another company called Computeach because I still want to get a technical qualification (for all those who complain about £3k, try £18k worth of Uni fees, thanks Blair government).

Guess what I found when I Googled them? Same old, same old. They were more expensive and their courses were worthless. So guess what? I’m going back to SkilllsTrain to do their CCNA / CCNP course.

http://www.ciao.co.uk/Computeach__5830238

Avoid Computeach at all costs. You'll get a condescending rep who will tell you that you'll walk into a £30 000 pa job, etc. I fell for it and paid a fortune, made no progress although put in a load of time and effort; found the 'tutors' rude and unhelpful; had a piece of course marked incorrectly. When I wrote a letter of complaint they said they didn't receive it. It cost about £5 000 and they keep on charging you until you until you finish the course [which could be forever] or you make a payment clearing all of your outstanding debt. All they want is the finance. The material they send is poor. If you change courses they charge £50. I really struggled and I am a member of Mensa and a graduate, so I am not stupid or un-academic

http://www.blagger.com/db4/company_id/778/companyname/Computeach.html

What a ridiculuous ripoff these poeple (Computeach) are - their telephone sales are great in persuading you to let go the cash but when you have a problem their helpdesk is condescending , bad mannered and utterly unhelpful!

Forget these IT courses they dont work - Get yourself a couple of Cheap second hand pcs from ebay and install and learn the stuff yourself with a good book from waterstones at home. Total cost wont even come close to the amounts these organisations charge or should i say rip you off with!

Employers in IT want experience more so than qualifications although qualifications do help there is no way any of these people in the adverts walk straight into a high flying IT job with just a computeach certificate and no experience!

Computeach qualfications are rated very low at a job interview - what you really should be looking for is a Microsoft MCSE , Cisco CCNA/CCNP if you want the big money!

:brick

[bennyboy]

Personally i think your mad going back to skillstrain! After the way they've treated me and countless other people!!

Its disgusting that they can do this to people that genuinly want to improve thier standard of life!!

[hero1978]

I'm going back to SkillsTrain because I want the CISCO qualification. I've checked and they're better than the other self-study companies who do the course. I don't want to go to college, it's no cheaper in the end becauase I would have to give up my job. Who gives a stuff about SkillsTrain anyway, they only sell the courses, in the end it's the examining people who decide if you're good enough to get the qualification. The problems you guys seem to have got into is because you changed your mind or stopped studying. First time round I didn't have any problem when I cancelled 4 days after I saw the sales guy. This time I am going to stay away from websites like this and get on with the course. :)

[bennyboy]

No the problem myself and many others have is that we were missold the course by advisors promising so much and yet skillstrain delivering very little! The hundreds of people who posted on this and various other forums cannot all be wrong!
Are you sure your not on the skillstrain payroll, seems to me like the underhand tactics they might employ!

[hero1978]

Sure, and there may also be thousands of people who are happy and getting on with their course work and they never post anything. I'm not saying you are wrong, I'm just saying that from what I found out about other companies I went back to the one who I thought had the best course. The other one I liked was Learning Tree. It's a good concept but the cost was prohibitive, so having done my research, I am sticking to my guns and starting my training course with skillstrain, rather than just basing my decision just on what I read on forums

[R0X45]

Sure, and there may also be thousands of people who are happy and getting on with their course work and they never post anything. I'm not saying you are wrong, I'm just saying that from what I found out about other companies I went back to the one who I thought had the best course. The other one I liked was Learning Tree. It's a good concept but the cost was prohibitive, so having done my research, I am sticking to my guns and starting my training course with skillstrain, rather than just basing my decision just on what I read on forums

I think you should read all the posts first!

What you will get at the end of completeing the course isn't even an officially recognised qualification - it's worthless.

I suspect the people you say are 'happy and getting on with their course' haven't bothered to read reviews by former Skills Train customers. I've read hundreds and not one person who has completed the course has found work because of any so-called skills they have learnt from this company!

[Rinoa]

ROX45 is right, remember if you want the qualification you have to sit an exam WHICH IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE COURSE FEES. You might end up having to travel to somewhere out of the way like Ireland too.

You're better off paying for a few good books, teaching yourself, and then paying for an exam. I highly recommend avoiding Skillstrain's course as it's often out of date and pretty basic.

[SkillsTrain]

Genuine grievances from those posting comments on this forum can only be resolved or discussed if individuals speak to SkillsTrain directly. To prioritise calls from Digital Trends Forum Members SkillsTrain has set up a dedicated phone line on 01582 543636, during office hours. Calls will be answered personally, there is no need to reveal your Forum name or make reference to any postings.

The company fully accepts that some individuals have genuine grievances, but it has become apparent that a number of others are making malicious and defamatory postings about SkillsTrain with the specific and unlawful purpose of discrediting the company.

These activities have been brought to the attention of the administrators of a number of Forums and websites, including Facebook, who are among those who have worked with us and continue to work with us to remove libellous and unlawful comments. Legal action is being taken in the case of repeated attempts to discredit the company.

SkillsTrain has 100,000 students studying for industry recognised qualifications at any one time and are part of an organisation that has trained over 6 million students in the past 60 years. By far the majority of students complete their courses achieve their goals and go on to advance their careers. Those who need additional help or support can call the helpline on the above number.

[bennyboy]

Genuine grievances from those posting comments on this forum can only be resolved or discussed if individuals speak to SkillsTrain directly. To prioritise calls from Digital Trends Forum Members SkillsTrain has set up a dedicated phone line on 01582 543636, during office hours. Calls will be answered personally, there is no need to reveal your Forum name or make reference to any postings.

The company fully accepts that some individuals have genuine grievances, but it has become apparent that a number of others are making malicious and defamatory postings about SkillsTrain with the specific and unlawful purpose of discrediting the company.

These activities have been brought to the attention of the administrators of a number of Forums and websites, including Facebook, who are among those who have worked with us and continue to work with us to remove libellous and unlawful comments. Legal action is being taken in the case of repeated attempts to discredit the company.

SkillsTrain has 100,000 students studying for industry recognised qualifications at any one time and are part of an organisation that has trained over 6 million students in the past 60 years. By far the majority of students complete their courses achieve their goals and go on to advance their careers. Those who need additional help or support can call the helpline on the above number.


I have writen numerous letters and called the "priority" number and i still have a problem, my problem is that the course IS NOT what i signed up for, Skillstrain have done nothing to help me or assist me with this matter, it seems that as soon as you sign that agreement, these are my personal views and may or may not be shared by anyone else this is just me dealings with the "company" i have everything logged from time and dates of phone calls to recorded letters sent and received, i stand by my claims that the course IS NOT what i signed up for after a very convincing sales pitch by the "course advisor"

[Rinoa]

Genuine grievances from those posting comments on this forum can only be resolved or discussed if individuals speak to SkillsTrain directly. To prioritise calls from Digital Trends Forum Members SkillsTrain has set up a dedicated phone line on 01582 543636, during office hours. Calls will be answered personally, there is no need to reveal your Forum name or make reference to any postings.

The company fully accepts that some individuals have genuine grievances, but it has become apparent that a number of others are making malicious and defamatory postings about SkillsTrain with the specific and unlawful purpose of discrediting the company.

These activities have been brought to the attention of the administrators of a number of Forums and websites, including Facebook, who are among those who have worked with us and continue to work with us to remove libellous and unlawful comments. Legal action is being taken in the case of repeated attempts to discredit the company.

SkillsTrain has 100,000 students studying for industry recognised qualifications at any one time and are part of an organisation that has trained over 6 million students in the past 60 years. By far the majority of students complete their courses achieve their goals and go on to advance their careers. Those who need additional help or support can call the helpline on the above number.

See, this is what I have come to expect from Skillstrain; bullying, threats, scare tactics, etc. There must be a massive number of extremely unhappy students for you to take action against individuals who voice their opinions on your company. Most large, successful companies wouldn't bat an eyelid at a few comments. It just goes to show there must be too many disgruntled students and it really is making a difference to the company. A bad reputation won't go away overnight.

Skillstrain - there is only one course of action you should take - revise your course & "course advisors", help out those with genuine grievancies, and honour the guarantees you put forth. Instead of having hundreds & hundreds of disatisfied students, you might only have a small handful.

[Rinoa]

I've sent off my cancellation letter today seeing as they weren't much help over the phone. Will keep you guys informed of any progress or outcome.

Fingers crossed guys!

[SCORPIAN_KING80]

I HAVE HAD ENOUGH, NO MORE, THIS HAS TO STOP, it bothers me reading all the emails, posts and private messages that I get from less privileged young people, and their unpleasant experiences', threats, and the 'gifts' they recieve to be silenced.

As stated in my previous posts, I am working on the Combat Kit. What do you think of my disclaimer for the Combat Kit against you know who [who know my identity, and monitoring every word I type with their legal representatives, but I will NOT be silenced!!!]....any suggestions/improvements will be appreciated.
================================================== ===
Page 1 of Combat Kit.pdf

Disclaimer

The author has prepared the content of this eBook responsibly and carefully, but disclaims all warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy of the information contained in any of the materials in this eBook or on other linked websites or on any subsequent links. This includes but is not by way of limitation:

1. any liability for damage to your computer hardware, data, information, materials and business resulting from the information or the lack of information available

2. any errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in the information

3. any decision made or action taken or not taken in reliance upon the information

The author makes no warranty as to the content, accuracy, timeliness or completeness of the information or that the information may be relied upon for any reason and bears no responsibility for the accuracy, content or legality of any linked site or for that of any subsequent links.

The author not be liable for any losses or damages (including without limitation consequential loss or damage) whatsoever from the use of, or reliance on, the information in the linked website(s). Any links to other websites do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by the author of any products, services, policies or opinions of the organisation or individual.

These disclaimers and exclusions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales under the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales. Those who choose to access this site from outside the United Kingdom are responsible for compliance with local laws if and to the extent local laws are applicable.

This eBook is for information purposes only, and all statements made herein are not statements of fact, but in fact statements of opinion.
================================================== ===

[SCORPIAN_KING80]

Sure, and there may also be thousands of people who are happy and getting on with their course work and they never post anything. I'm not saying you are wrong, I'm just saying that from what I found out about other companies I went back to the one who I thought had the best course. The other one I liked was Learning Tree. It's a good concept but the cost was prohibitive, so having done my research, I am sticking to my guns and starting my training course with skillstrain, rather than just basing my decision just on what I read on forums

How do we know his not one of them?, they have done it before, coming on this forum improving their severed reputation, its pathetic....

Atleast their smarter this time and using different IP addresses, I hope the forum administrator pounces on them if they are not[as he has done so before, post #1].

[Rinoa]

Scorpian King, some months ago I read this thread from beginning to end and I am so relieved to have someone like you on the forum helping to fight against these wrong doings. I have sent off my letter to Skillstrain this morning, almost 3 years after being conned into a course. I was too scared to do anything until recently, after reading the support from yourself and others on this forum. It may be too little too late, but I too refuse to keep quiet anymore and let them carry on walking all over me. I look forward to your Combat Kit and I am sure many others out there will benefit from it too.

As far as I can tell your disclaimer's fine, I can't see any problems with it. Good luck with the rest, and if there's anything I can do to help I'd be more than happy to.

[bennyboy]

Just a little update! After receiving a letter from skillstrain in reply to my complaints (although no mention of me wanting to cancel in said letter) I intended to come home today and write another letter once again requesting to cancel my agreement.
On arriving home i found a letter from Multimedia Computer Training Ltd. with regard to my complaints about the "course advisor" stating that they may investigate the matter and that it could possibly go to an employment tribunal if any disciplinary action may be taken!
Now i would like to think that my complaint is finaly being taken seriously, however after my recent dealings with Skillstrain i feel this is more than likely scare mongering in the hope that i will just forget the whole ordeal and continue to cough up £75 a month for what i see as very little!
Well i'm not going to drop this matter, I honestly believe that i have been missold something, had the course been what i was told by the "course advisor" then it would represent reasonable value for money although there could almost certainly be some improvements to areas of the course.
The course is NOT what i was told it would be, in my eyes it most definately does NOT represent value for money and that is why i want a cancelation of the agreement and any money i have paid refunded to me in full!
If the "course advisor" faces disciplinary action as a result of this then hopefully some other poor beings will be saved from making the same mistakes i have made!

To be continued.......

[Tallisker]

Here we go again: another attemt by skillsdrain to intimidate their critics on the one hand and have a stooge (yes hero1978, we're not fooled for a minute) offer supposedly independent support. Hmm, strange that most of his post was spent criticising one of skillsdrain's main competitors, eh? And they accuse us of being dishonest.

Not that I'm going to stick up for CompuTrash - birds of a feather, really.

Oh, and Mr hero1978, if you have signed up for the skillsdrain cisco courses, oh dear what a shock you have in store. The courses are completely outdated. In fact, they don't really offer any teaching at all any more for the CCNA and CCNP, they just give you a login to another college that runs the cisco Academy online courses. Forget 'Blended Training' - it's a glorified website, with a bit of lab time thrown in. Honestly, you could do it for a tenth of the price yourself, and you are getting absolutley no 'added value' from being with skillsdrain. It, like most of their nonsense, is an absolute disgrace.

And, no, hero1978, not everyone here has had problems because the changed their minds, or struggled with the course. We jsut struggle with being conned out of our money by a bunch of dishonest crooks.

[hero1978]

So i'm guessing that the rules of this thread are that if anyone posts anything on here and they are happy with their experience of the company they get accused of everything under the sun, (like I did)? But Scorpian King can say what he likes because he is some kind of Robin Hood whose role is to wind people up so they complain more, even though his best advice to them would be to approach the company and sort it out without him sticking his nose in? I've read through most of this thread and seen messages he has posted in the past. This is the same Scorpian King who admitted to lying and deceiving and deliberately making false statements about skillsdrain (as you like to call it Tallisker) and the loan people back in 2007. An apology he put up on this Forum not once, but three times? Just wondered.

On another note, I am happy with my decision to choose Skillstrain and I have faith in them based on my experience with them so far.

I am making this statement with reference to the Company Skillstrain and Career Development Finance and any other third party to whom I may have advertently or inadvertently made reference to in my previous postings all of which I have now removed.

The statement is being made at the request and direction at the solicitors acting for Skillstrain.

The postings, which I have previously made, were personally believed by me to be true and honest which were further enhanced by the support given by Trading Standards and the BBC documentary. I now accept that they are, or a number of them were false/inaccurate and as a result defamatory. Regardless of all assertions made i have voluntarily removed this defamatory material and confirm and undertake that they will remain permanently removed.

I now accept that Skillstrain, Career Development Finance, and any other third party are deserving of an apology on my part. I therefore offer this apology to them for any harm caused to their reputation or character.

I therefore take this opportunity to offer my apology to those companies or any individuals relating to the same to who I may have directly or indirectly caused any loss of reputation or damage to their character.

[alap123]

I know i'm being watched so can't say my piece..

But.. good god hero1978, are you misguided or just stupid? You obviously have money to burn, i wish you all the luck in the world, by crikey you're gonna need it.
omg:

[Tallisker]

On another note, I am happy with my decision to choose Skillstrain and I have faith in them based on my experience with them so far.

Right, so far your experience with SkillsDrain is having met up with one of their LYING, DECEIVING salesmen, and you cancelled that contract before even starting it. You have now (allegedly) booked yourself on their cisco courses, but not yet started them. Hmmm, well what a breadth of experience THAT is.

Whereas others of us who post here have been involved with them for years. Well, I guess dear readers, you'll just have to decide for yourselves whose credibility is the greater.

I hope you enjoy your login to Dunstable College's online cisco Academy courses, by the way - 'cos that's all you've just bought from SkillsDrain.

No 'Blended Training', no 'knowledgeable tutors' (well, they can repeat notes off a page), no 'Online Interactive Training', no 'Practical classes near where you live', no 'interaction with other students,' not even a CD with training information. Oh, and not even any up-to-date course material - apart from a cisco Press Exam guide (price circa 40 quid).

Just a logon to Dunstable College's cisco Academy course. Happy learning campers!

(P.S. hero1978 - I thought you said you couldn't do a college course as it would mean giving up your job? Hmmmm - not sure how you're going to manage the above then... ? What? You can do that college course from home, online? Never?!! Whatever will these colleges think of next. Oh, lots of others allow you to do the same, or offer evening classes, did I just hear someone say? Well, there you go...)

Grow up hero1978, or whoever you really are.

[SkillsTrain]

SkillsTrain is Europe’s leading provider of IT home study training courses; it is a recognized training provider and is operating entirely within UK law. Any suggestion otherwise is unacceptable, as are libelous accusations and threats of violence against Course Advisors, all of which have been made in postings on this forum, and nor does SkillsTrain employ Course Advisors.

The reason for our involvement on this thread is to genuinely try to help those who believe they have an outstanding and reasonable grievance with SkillsTrain.

Contrary to some Forum Members’ opinions, it is not reasonable to expect the company to refund the cost of courses which were purchased several months or several years ago and nor would any other commercial organisation in the UK accept product returns on this basis.

Any allegations of 'mis-selling' courses are always investigated with Multimedia Computer Training Ltd., the company who are contracted to advise on SkillsTrain courses. Such reports are treated very seriously indeed and why those who allege that this has happened are asked to complete a detailed report so this can be investigated fairly.

The itineraries studied on SkillsTrain courses are devised to meet public examination requirements for the IT industry’s leading and most respected certifications, such as CISCO, CIW and the IAB’s book-keeping exams. Courses are comprehensive and made up of many modules and tutor marked assessments. They are regularly updated in line with examination requirements and should students fall behind with their studies, regular updates are available free of charge.

In terms of students’ successes in 2008 SkillsTrain was named as the top achieving learning organisation in the International Association of Book-keepers (IAB’s) exams and a SkillsTrain student achieved the country’s highest mark, 96%, an A+ pass, her computerised payroll exam.

To correct information given in recent postings, exam fees are included in course fees, exams are held at regional centres throughout the UK and courses are kept up to date in line with the curricula for each public examination.

Many students are completely happy with their SkillsTrain studies and courses, but we shall be pleased to help those on this forum who aren’t. Though if the purpose of some members of this Forum is simply to continue to discredit SkillsTrain in the face of offers of help and support, then we trust that people reading this thread for the first time will note that.

Those who would genuinely like to resolve an issue with SkillsTrain can call the company on the priority hotline number previously given, 01582 543636, or write to Hamilton House, 80 – 88 Collingdon Street, Luton, LU1 1RX.

[ECA]

Skills:

PLEASE, READ your post..

operating entirely within UK law."

Operating in the UK, doesnt mean you are true to the LAWs of Europe.

and threats of violence against Course Advisors, all of which have been made in postings on this forum, and nor does SkillsTrain employ Course Advisors.

You DONT hire course advisors?? but you Back them up?? interesting. Then WHO are these persons?? Ex-graduates?

Any allegations of 'mis-selling' courses are always investigated with Multimedia Computer Training Ltd., the company who are contracted to advise on SkillsTrain courses. Such reports are treated very seriously indeed and why those who allege that this has happened are asked to complete a detailed report so this can be investigated fairly.

thats fair. but you also must understand the OTHER side of the coin.
1. WHO becomes responsible for dispersion of the materials?
2. persons trying to "GET UP in life" and spending a good amount of money earned, and STILL trying to make ends meet. Trying to work, do the courses, Pay rent/bills and PAY YOU.
3. book learning and NO "on the job training", who do you think is going to get HIRED?
4. WHY not test these folks(your reseller), and send persons out to apply in different areas. SEE how they ACT.
5. OVERZEALOUS resellers. They work on commission, so does the company you sponsor to DO the resale.

In terms of students’ successes in 2008 SkillsTrain was named as the top achieving learning organisation in the International Association of Book-keepers (IAB’s) exams and a SkillsTrain student achieved the country’s highest mark, 96%, an A+ pass, her computerised payroll exam.

So you are admitting that out of ALL your courses, that only 1 has MET the highest requirements? and i ask "how many customers want a C student to do their BOOK KEEPING?"

To correct information given in recent postings, exam fees are included in course fees, exams are held at regional centres throughout the UK and courses are kept up to date in line with the curricula for each public examination.

I have to ask this.. Public exams from government agencies and many Trade organizations, tend to be 5-10 years out of date with CURRENT knowledge and tech.
yes, I understand that many companies are ALSO behind Current technologies and are NOT on the cutting edge. But a person needs to know the OLD as well as the NEW materials. If an electrician works in a home from 50 years ago, he MUST know what to expect, as WELL as know what is UP TO DATE, and MAYBE a few short cuts. If you arnt giving this knowledge you are only making a 3rd grade Public employee, and NOT someone that can enter the work place FULLY ready to take on most/any JOB. This is like teaching a person WINDOWS, OFFICE to do book keeping and forgetting to teach him QUICKEN, or many of the OTHER formats used.

Fees. BUT, who is collecting them and PAYING YOU. And do THEY know this? Or is someone ELSE running a scam?

Many students are completely happy with their SkillsTrain studies and courses, but we shall be pleased to help those on this forum who aren’t. Though if the purpose of some members of this Forum is simply to continue to discredit SkillsTrain in the face of offers of help and support, then we trust that people reading this thread for the first time will note that.

Those who would genuinely like to resolve an issue with SkillsTrain can call the company on the priority hotline number previously given, 01582 543636, or write to Hamilton House, 80 – 88 Collingdon Street, Luton, LU1 1RX.

This is good. I cant comment on much here.
I ask that If you took one of the courses on computers and internet Learning, that you Learn to use SPELL CHECK. but, you may have been over-exuberant and just run this note off in your excitement.

Yes, I can agree, that there may be a few persons here Posting from their OWN exasperation with dealing your your company in the past, and ending up with a job at BK, instead of the promised one from your schooling.
i also suggest Persons posting HERE...LOOK AT THE JOB MARKET. ASK companies and Business "What requirements are needed for the JOB". If an associates degree, bachelors degree, or WHAT is needed.. MANY, MANY jobs require a few years ON THE JOB.. there are FEW STARTING POSITIONS that PAY Much money.
Look into the TRADE Unions, as they Do train, and can find you jobs FASTER then MOSt others will.
IT professionals?? there are to many. and MOSt companies will pay 1 person to do the job, and then hire FLUNKIES/beginners/TRAINEES at a VERY LOW RATE..MOSt hired out of college or university and are the A grade students...and they are being paid VERY little.

[elunia]

So i'm guessing that the rules of this thread are that if anyone posts anything on here and they are happy with their experience of the company they get accused of everything under the sun, (like I did)? ....
Of course they get accused. A happy student looking on the internet for more information about the wonderful training provider? :rolleyes:
If I were happy I would not actively seek a forum to express my satisfaction. Why are you wasting your time posting your thoughts here? Why are you making this effort instead of using your precious time for studying? It is a little strange that such a dilligent student does not study in his/her free time.

Of course the company in question would be very happy if every dissatisfied student stopped posting here and tried to "solve their issues" by contacting someone on the phone or by e-mail. The SkillsTrain bosses would not have to employ anyone to monitor this forum.
Elunia

[elunia]

Sure, and there may also be thousands of people who are happy and getting on with their course work and they never post anything. I'm not saying you are wrong, I'm just saying that from what I found out about other companies I went back to the one who I thought had the best course. The other one I liked was Learning Tree. It's a good concept but the cost was prohibitive, so having done my research, I am sticking to my guns and starting my training course with skillstrain, rather than just basing my decision just on what I read on forums

Please can you tell us where to find another forum dedicated to one of these bad companies, so that we can read the opinions of their unhappy students? If these companies are worse than SkillsTrain, there must be huge forums where people write scathing comments about them.
I'm looking forward to your reply.
Elunia

[SCORPIAN_KING80]

SkillsTrain is Europe’s leading provider of IT home study training courses; it is a recognized training provider

Recognised by whom? NO-ONE I have spoken to {in the IT sector}, recognise Skills Train. 'recognised' is a very broad term, and very ambiguous, possibly to allow a wide interpretation of that claim, and to fall within the bounds of UK Law?

nor does SkillsTrain employ Course Advisors.

Interesting how your 'course advisors' fail to mention this very fact, that they are NOT employed by Skills Train, in fact they claim to the contorary, and do not hesitate to claim that they are employed by Skills Train.
Further, it is appalling that we learnt about MultiMedia Computer Training, by the BBC Inside Out Report that exposed the sales methods used, which clearly is not an isolated event but a continuous trend.

Why is MultiMedia Computer Training not mentioned on any of the paperwork, and why are we not told by Skills Train that the course advisor is from a different company? in my opinion this is Very deceptive....

Evil is conducted under the cover of darkness...


The reason for our involvement on this thread is to genuinely try to help those who believe they have an outstanding and reasonable grievance with SkillsTrain.

Then why do you contradict yourself from post to post, hawmarks of a liar. In your previous postings you stated that many of us are not genuine...So your here to help who exactly? It is obvious we have not established an open dialogue, between us and you, you clearly are, in my opinion, on an ongoing defensive, consisting of denial, suppression and counter attack by confederates, as exposed in post #1, by the forum admin, who are unbiased, and independant.

Contrary to some Forum Members’ opinions, it is not reasonable to expect the company to refund the cost of courses which were purchased several months or several years ago and nor would any other commercial organisation in the UK accept product returns on this basis.

ABSURDITIES

Well, we'll see about that... We will not let you go...until all matters are resolved, and you control your salesmen, which you laughingly call 'course advisors', which as you stated are not even employed by Skills Train! So how can a 'course advisor', advise a potential student on a course delivered by another company in which they are not employed by, nor have first hand experience of the training methods delivered or the level of service offered? This is ABSURD

Would it not be more professional to promote senior Tutors, to become course advisors? Who have the relevant experience, and know exactly what the course entails...

In terms of students’ successes in 2008 SkillsTrain was named as the top achieving learning organisation in the International Association of Book-keepers (IAB’s) exams and a SkillsTrain student achieved the country’s highest mark, 96%, an A+ pass, her computerised payroll exam.

Show me your proof... if what you say be true....For a company that boosts of such contacts [for instance, PeopleBank] and high performance [96%], you fail to provide any proof for your many many claims, which without evidence are dubious at best, in my opinion.

[hero1978]

Me grow up?? :rolleyes:

[Tallisker]

Any allegations of 'mis-selling' courses are always investigated with Multimedia Computer Training Ltd., the company who are contracted to advise on SkillsTrain courses. Such reports are treated very seriously indeed and why those who allege that this has happened are asked to complete a detailed report so this can be investigated fairly.


This is the crux of it really: for all your statements, the REALITY is that the exact same LYING and DECEIVING tactics are used by these salesmen now as they were years ago, and about which you do NOTHING. They are not 'advisors', they are salesmen and women.

There are not 'bad apples' in an otherwise perfect box, as everyone who posts on here describes their experience in exactly the same way. They are all graduates of the same training, and they all parrot it out in the same way.

It's not surprising really, is it. After all, SkillsDrain and Multimedia were set up with the intended figleaf of being different companies just so that you could use this defence -> but you are based in the same offices, as is CDF. You all slurp from the same swill-bucket.

As I've said before: I'll stop posting when you clean up your act, and so far, I see NO evidence of that happening.

[bennyboy]

Well once again i was expecting a call on friday from mike fitzgerald and suprise suprise he was not in the office due to sickness! The last time i didn't receive a call was because he wasn't "in the office" For "liason officer" he seems to be out of the office quite alot!
This was all after calling the "priority number" !!

Once again Skillstrain your customer services and support fall well short of what should be reasonably expected from "Europe’s leading provider of IT home study training courses"

Well done!

[Rinoa]

After the very long letter I sent to Skillstrain a week or so ago I had something back from them today. A letter? No. I had the 2007 version of the section of the course I stopped doing 2 years ago. Not even a letter to accompany it. What a joke.

I don't want an extension to the course, it's not worth the paper it's written on. I don't want your latest out of date version - again, it's worthless. I didn't ask for my money back for what I've previously paid - I simply wanted a cancellation of the course and future payments for all the false promises made and refusing to let me cancel although I had every right to during the first 7 days of signing up.

If I don't receive a response in the next 2 weeks I will seek legal action and then I will start demanding a refund.

I couldn't have been any clearer about wanting to cancel the course. Why would I want to start it again two years later? You can have the sodding stuff back.

[Kev7]

Hi guys,

I'm another victim to the skilltrain rubbish. However, i managed to stop the contract before he left and told the salesman that i'm not signing it. however, he got all the paper work (even though he tore them up) which contains all my personal info. Can anyone let me know what to do.

I haven't finished the enrolment and therefore do not have any email, student number or any paper work from them.

I'm just worried that they may go ahead with all the information that the guy collected.

thanks for your time....

[Rinoa]

Kev7, I'd say you're in the clear. The salesman shouldn't have kept the paper work even though it was ripped up, so just to be on the safe side monitor your bank account to make sure no new direct debits have been set up.

-----

I had a letter from CDF today. I like the way Skillstrain don't have the time to reply to my letter but are quick to send out payment reminders and the "latest" out of date version of the course I quit 2 years ago. Ha.

[Kev7]

[QUOTE=Rinoa;76307]Kev7, I'd say you're in the clear. The salesman shouldn't have kept the paper work even though it was ripped up, so just to be on the safe side monitor your bank account to make sure no new direct debits have been set up.


ok thanks, i'm just hoping they dont do anything... I don't know whether i need to contact the bank just to let them know what's happening.

[Rinoa]

So the latest update is this:

I had a letter from Skillstrain saying they've passed on my complaint to Multimedia Computer Training LTD. Yes, a large portion of my issues were directed at the "course advisor" (sales rep), however I did have major issues with the actual course itself. Skillstrain have ignored that part though (no surprises there). Will write back to them pointing that out.

I've now had a letter from Multimedia Computer Training Ltd, although for some reason even though it was addressed in my name the letter also had someone else's name on it... They must be inundated with complaints that they can't keep track! Anyway, they're investigating the course advisor and have suggested it may lead to an Employment Tribunal, etc etc.

I remember someone mentioning previously they had something similar from Multimedia Computer Training not so long back. How did the investigation go? Does anyone have any info or advice on these investigations with MTC Ltd?

[bennyboy]

I Rceieved the same letter from Multimedia computer training Ltd, also attached was a form they wanted me to fill in, after seeking legal advice i will not be filling in and signing the form, i've put my grievences down on paper, how they wish to deal with it is entirely upto them!
If the course advisor faces disciplinary action then i have no sympathy!

I have today received a letter from CDF stating that i am now £75 in arrears and that they are charging me £15 because of that!! What a f**king cheek, i'll not give them another penny! The sooner Skillstrain/Multimedia Computer Training Ltd hold thier hands up and accept responsibility for this the better!

It's all a complete farce! One company pointing the finger at another, it's all very wrong in my eyes and Skillstrain are just as responsible for these so called courses as this supposed marketing company Multimedia Computer Training Ltd!!

I was told by someone at Skillstrain that i will receive a settlement and cancalation from this "marketing company"......i wont be holding my breath tho!!

[Rinoa]

Hi Bennyboy, looks like you're in exactly the same boat as me at the moment. I also had that form to fill in about the Employment Tribunal from Multimedia Computer Training Ltd. Can I ask why you have decided not to fill it in?

I also received the overdue payment notice from CDF the other day. They too charged me a £15 admin fee. If banks can barely get away with it these days I don't know how these guys can. They won't be having anymore of my hard earned cash that's for sure.

Keep us updated if you hear anything about your settlement/cancellation. I've had no such promises from Skillstrain as yet, but I'll be on their backs until they do!

[itman]

I wish people luck in trying to get their money back, but I only have myself to blame for not having done any research before signing up. Having paid it off in full early, at least it isn't hanging over me.

I've no wish to defame SkillsTrain, I just think that it its course material outdated, and its customer service is indifferent to non-existent, with staff refusing to respond to emails, and assignments originally being sent out by second-class post instead of being made available online. I find it hilarious that they still give students floppy disks, when many computers no longer have the drives for them.

That doesn't make people who run the company crooks, it's just that what they provide is third rate, and not worth the expense. I was prepared to give the company the benefit of the doubt, but came to the conclusion that there was no benefit in continuing.

If you're satisfied with SkillsTrain, good luck to you, but there are better alternatives - I think many people who spring to the company's defence don't know any better - juding by the poor levels of English in some of the testimonials, I'm not surprised.

Caveat emptor! - Buyer beware!

[noskillsdave]

Another one here. Just spent the afternoon reading loads of threads on SkillsTrain so have cancelled the Direct Debit!!

I signed up several months ago, got fed the usual lies (it seems!), I felt very unsure on it but also very pressured into signing. So I signed, guy had said I could cancel at anytime. Ok well I'll just sign and look into it closely after.


Reading this thread with great interest. I'm thinking I'll just be throwing this at the Financial Ombudsmun and get them to investigate

Well, after cancelling the DD I didn't hear anything! Though...now I'm facing legal proceedings oopsie!
Just spoke to Hitachi, and a nice lady said they wouldn't chase Skillstrain for the money - I'm the one who signed the agreement. Fair enough.

I believe part of the contract I signed, mentioned if I didn't receive the product then I would have the right to cancel - need to find this and have a read.

[snoophy77]

I have been hearing lot of same problem from different individuals including me but we all seem to be fighting individually. Why dont we try and unite together and lodge a court case against these scamsters. I am sure we can all corroborate ur evidence and share the court case costs. I am up for it. anyone willing to join? Also, if someone does end up in court as per their threat then we should support that individual by giving evidence etc.

[thealien2000uk]

:soapbox I did the Scheidegger typing course at The Sparrow Hawk Hotel ( A public house) in Burnley Lancashire after being told I would "need it to enter the computer or administration industry" several years ago and ever since I have had to explain what it is to all my employers "It's like the Pitman typing course" and when they make enquiries they tell me that it's "not recognised in any industry standard".:soapbox

:sure I spent a lot of money and time on this course including buying their mandatory purchase of a third rate typewriter (Prince) with coloured key caps just to find out that the course is not recognised or even known to people who have been in the administration business for 20-30 years.:sure

I had to redo my typing course (at my expence) at one company I worked at to prove I could type at 57 words a minute.:mad:

My advise is go to your local college and get the Pitman, OCR or any other typing course and not purchase or enter a monetary agreement with this Scheidegger course, or any course with the name Scheidegger attached to it. :smack

:rolleyes:Basically anyone can design a course and state that you need it as "the industry needs you to have it" look at ECDL, OCRs, Clait, ect. just to get money out of you. :rolleyes:

I rest my case.:)

[ayasofea]

:soapbox I did the Scheidegger typing course at The Sparrow Hawk Hotel ( A public house) in Burnley Lancashire after being told I would "need it to enter the computer or administration industry" several years ago and ever since I have had to explain what it is to all my employers "It's like the Pitman typing course" and when they make enquiries they tell me that it's "not recognised in any industry standard".:soapbox

:sure I spent a lot of money and time on this course including buying their mandatory purchase of a third rate typewriter (Prince) with coloured key caps just to find out that the course is not recognised or even known to people who have been in the administration business for 20-30 years.:sure

I had to redo my typing course (at my expence) at one company I worked at to prove I could type at 57 words a minute.:mad:

My advise is go to your local college and get the Pitman, OCR or any other typing course and not purchase or enter a monetary agreement with this Scheidegger course, or any course with the name Scheidegger attached to it. :smack

:rolleyes:Basically anyone can design a course and state that you need it as "the industry needs you to have it" look at ECDL, OCRs, Clait, ect. just to get money out of you. :rolleyes:

I rest my case.:)

Hello everyone

Just want to share an update, a guy called just now to inform me that they will post my refund check via recorded delivery by today. Hope will receive it tomorrow. I can't write more because I have sign an agreement with them. But what I can tell you guys is, you have to work really hard to get your refund back. And consult a lawyer if you can.


cheers

[Rinoa]

Watchdog is on television right this minute and I've just been watching a ten minute story on Skillstrain. Watchdog have had at least 200 complaints from Skillstrain students this year alone. If you're interested you can catch a repeat of Watchdog on the BBC iPlayer: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/

I strongly suggest sending in your complaints about Skillstrain to Watchdog this week. I was one of the 200 who complained back in the summer and I'll be emailing Watchdog again tonight - I have exactly the same issues as the young lad on the programme who did the Web Design course.

I'm relieved we have Watchdog on our side.


EDIT: Here's a direct link to the Watchdog report: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/watchdog/2008/10/the_skills_training_thats_off.html#comments

[Helper]

yea i saw that last night on bbc watchdog

[kipsmyth]

I also was one of those 'duped' into doing this course. I feel like a fool looking back at it now and I like to think I'm an intelligent person, but now i could kick myself for getting into this. I should've seen the signs early on. My cheap navy breif case had a slash across it; the sales man didn't have another on him so said he would drop a new one round for me. I never received this, and his phone number permanently went to voicemail and he never replied to messages.
I scored 100% in little test he asked me to do to see of I had any IT knowledge, after that he said with my existing knowledge I could complete the course within a year. :brick

I have not completed the course, 3 years later, I would say I'm about a quarter of the way through, but like many others if I had problems with anything I got no help and no response to my letters or emails. The one time I did get a response I was told there was a time restriction on how long I had to complete the course of 18 months. At this point I was about 10 months into it and not getting much more done as I was getting no help from my tutor. I asked if I could put the course on hold temporarily as I'd decided to do some travelling, and resume the course when I got back.

As it stands, the course is still on hold, and I have about £500 left to pay then all fees are paid for. After seeing this programme and reading what other people have to say, I now realise that even if I do complete the course it will all be worthless anyway. It certainly was not what I signed up for. I have even managed to teach myself web design just by following online tutorials, that are free!!

I have pretty much ruled out seeing my £2000 ever again, but was wondering if there's any way i can get out of paying the remaining amount?
Is anyone else in my situation where they have paid a substantial amount, or paid the full amount? If anyone has paid the full amount, have you been asked to pay any more money on top?
I want to cancel my direct debit but I worry that I'll have debt collectors on my :censored

any suggestions are much appreciated. i hope these b******s rot.

[TAM]

Scottish Sunday Mail Newspaper. Contact The Judge In This Paper, He Is Already Informend About Skillstrain.

He Got My Money Back For Me

Good Luck

[kipsmyth]

thanks, i emailed him, not sure if it'll work cuz im not from scotland but I gave it a go anyway.

i'm so angry just thinking about them!!

[SKILLS4TRADES]

True

[Rinoa]

kipsmyth - Most of us on the forum seem to be in the same or similar situations. I'm currently sending letters back and forth to Skillstrain and Multimedia Computer Training Ltd. I suggest you do the same. Keep complaining. Tell your story to as many people as you can. Seek advice from Trading Standards, your local CAB, etc.

I have cancelled my payments, they are not receiving another penny for a service I did not receive. I'm not suggesting you do the same though, it's your call.


TAM - Thank you for the suggestion. I'm not from Scotland either, but I'll most certainly contact him. The more people we tell our problems to, someone's bound to listen. Watchdog certainly did!

[Wisec]

Iam simply not happy with the support im getting of skills train or the course work which i know is now well old as i know people who have recently got their CCNA. I simply want to stop this course and stop paying skills train or having anything to do with them.
Every time i try by letter or phone i keep getting informed that CDF are a sepperate compnay to Skills Train and therefore are not responsible for course work etc.
Need help as i really dont need their help or their course books to get me through this course like.

[Rinoa]

Hi Wisec,

CDF are the finance company you took your loan out to pay Skillstrain for the course. Instead of writing to CDF alone write to Skillstrain as well at the following address:

The Liaison Officer
Skillstrain LTD
Hamilton House
80-88 Collingdon St
Luton
LU1 1RX


Good luck, keep us informed of how things go!

[Londonmark]

is it possible to get a refund if youv'e already finished the course?

because iv'e been reading posts on this forum and many other forums lately, and im not happy
with the course that iv'e just completed especially after hearing that the course isn't worth that much, due to outdated material.

[Northumbrian]

Apart from the cost and the lack of support, I found 2 big problems with this course. It lasts too long and is not good preparation for the CIW exams.

I was told by the salesman that it would last 9 months, and on the small print of the contract 7-14 months. Well, if I was sent out the 10 course books all at once, that would have been true. But no, every book was sent out one at a time, and 57 Tutor marked assignments had to be marked one at a time, so it took 22 months!

So I finished it in mid September, and gave myself 6 weeks non-stop revision before taking the exams. And what a shock they've been! The exam questions are twice as hard as the assignment questions, and there were questions not covered by the course. I did pass the CIW Foundations exam, but it was close. I then failed miserably at PERL, but amazingly only failed Javascript by 3%. Amazing, considering I had to guess on a lot of the questions. I've got Server Administration and Site Design next week, and I'm dreading them.

I don't know whether to resit the failed exams or not. If I'd only spent a year on the course, I would have been prepared to have spent 6 months trying to pass exams. However, after 2 years of my life mostly wasted on pointless Tutor Marked Assignment questions, I'm not sure how much longer I can go on with this.

[Northumbrian]

is it possible to get a refund if youv'e already finished the course?

because iv'e been reading posts on this forum and many other forums lately, and im not happy
with the course that iv'e just completed especially after hearing that the course isn't worth that much, due to outdated material.

Are you considering doing the exams? It would be a total waste if you got nothing from this. The Foundations is definitely passable.

[Londonmark]

Are you considering doing the exams? It would be a total waste if you got nothing from this. The Foundations is definitely passable.

No iv'e actually already finished the course, but now the financial department is all over me like white on rice, because i cancelled the direct debit payment for the course.

they said a couple of months ago that i didn't need to pay anything else,

but now they keep calling me out of the blue saying that i need to pay an additional £40 along with £22.50 for late payment fees.

im thinking of taking this matter to watchdog as im not prepared to continue giving skillstrain another penny, especially not after the service i got when i was on the course.

[Northumbrian]

I was mostly referring to the time aspect. If you've spent a lot of time doing this, it would be a shame if you had nothing to show for it, such as CIW accredidation.

[Londonmark]

I was mostly referring to the time aspect. If you've spent a lot of time doing this, it would be a shame if you had nothing to show for it, such as CIW accredidation.

well i did get a certificate for completing the course, but im not sure how valuable it is.

like im not sure what employers would make of it, if i brought it to a job interview with me.

[Northumbrian]

well i did get a certificate for completing the course, but im not sure how valuable it is.

like im not sure what employers would make of it, if i brought it to a job interview with me.

Sadly, I think it's probably worthless. I think that's why one has to pass at least the CIW Fundamentals exam to achieve CIW Associate status, which is a recognised professional qualification.

[Northumbrian]

Really getting annoyed now. I've got an exam on site design next week, but i'm looking through the books and I can hardly remember anything from what I did in the summertime. If I had sat this exam in the summer, i would have felt more able.

This is the trouble with Skills Train. You can't sit any exams until you finish the whole of the course. So I sat and failed 2 exams in PERL and Javascript last week, but I hadn't done these in the course for a whole year. Terrible problems with memory fade. Really difficult trying to pick up from where you leave off.

There are 5 modules towards the Webmaster certificate. Wouldn't a better way would be to do one module, then sit the exam and don't move on to the next one until it's passed?
(a) It will be fresh in your mind
(b) You are not trying to revise for several modules simultaneously.

Bloody clueless, Skills Train. I'm attempting these exams when i'm not at my best, and it's all their fault.

[Rinoa]

Northumbrian, have you contacted/complained to Skillstrain? What did they say?

Also, if you haven't done so already, please contact Trading Standards, Watchdog, Consumer Direct, even your local MP, etc. Also, give your local CAB a call, although not the best for these problems they may still be able to give advice and the more of these companies that know about Skillstrain the better.

[skyelodestone]

Hi all, sorry if I shouldn't be posting this here, but first-time poster & this seemed the place for any skillstrain stuff! :)

I had a skillstrain salesman 'round on friday 31st October, and he talked me in to signing up for their SAGE Book keeping course. Having read some of the things other people have written here I'm rather apprehensive about this now though, and was hoping I could get some advice on what I should do...

I agreed to the course because I was told it would guarantee me work for £12/hour; that I could work from home and do as many hours as I wanted, when I wanted. I was also told the course fell into 3 sections and as soon as I've finished the first section I can start working as a book keeper. This sounded ideal to me as my primary goal is to become a novelist...which I can't do if I'm working full-time, but at the same time I need a primary income that will support me. When he was describing the job to me I did think it sounded almost too good to be true, and now I'm wondering if he was just telling me what he knew I'd want to hear (I told him my goal of writing books)?

Does anyone know if the SAGE book keeping course is any good? I'm still in the 'think it over' stage & have yet to receive letters from the bank and my online tutor, so I could do with some input as to whether I should try to break my agreement with them right now or stick with the course.

Also, I know Northumbrian complained of how long their course is; I can't find in my course information any exact time scales for how long the Book keeping one will last. All it says on the contract I've signed so far is that my payments will span 26 months...will I be able to speed this up if I badger them for the next part of the course, or are they really hard to get in touch with once you've started the course?

Any advice would be really appreciated; I'm quite nervous now that I may have signed up for a scam!

[Rinoa]

Hi Skyelodestone, from my own experience with Skillstrain I would recommend cancelling right now. I strongly suggest reading through the 100+ pages on here from many, many unhappy Skillstrain customers before you make a decision. Also, have a look on the Watchdog website, they've recently done a report on Skillstrain.

If you do want to cancel, you need to act now before your 7 day cooling off period expires and then you're stuck in the agreement. Write to both Skillstrain and CDF/Clydesdale and send it either Recorded or Special Delivery.

Don't make the mistake we all did.

[skyelodestone]

Thanks for the speedy reply Rinoa, I'll go through the documents I've got from skillstrain now & get started on cancelling it; last thing I want is to get stuck in something messy! :/

[Northumbrian]

deleted

[Rinoa]

On the Watchdog report, on the subject of complaints Skillstrain said they "always act promptly to resolve them". What a big joke. I've been trying to get in touch with the liaison officer for days and days now. Most of the time I cannot get through to anyone and have to leave a voice message. All of my voice messages have been ignored so far. When I do get through to someone they keep saying the liaison officer will call back. I'm still waiting!

Act promptly my a**e.

[carnageangels]

Hi all,

I had the Skills Train chappy around tonight. I was interested in doing a MSCE or MSCA course. He showed me some credentials and advised me that the demand from prospective employers for this accreditation was quite low compared to cisco and linux/network security accreditations and showed me some convincing evidence that this was the case by going to the Job Serve website and searching for job availability under these headings.

I am an intelligent person. I am a teacher of mathematics (GCSE and A level) and I do hold a HND in Electronics of which a large number of modules did include computer engineering and programming. And I forget I do have BEd degree in Mathematics and Science and a stand alone PGCE.

I took on board what he said and decided that I would go down the road on linux/network security. He explained that credit was available for the course fees and we could do it tonight but I was a little apprehensive and stated I would not agree or sign right then and I would have to think about it for 24 hours. The whole course fee was to £3255. OK so here is the bit when you say 'hang on I thought he said he was intelligent' In my haste to change my job avenues he suggested he could at least phone through to see if I could get an interest free loan for this and I agreed to it. I give him my bank details, place of work etc. (OK I know what your thinking but its done now). But I did not sign anything nor did I obviously give a pin number for my card nor did he see the 3 digit security code on the back which is rubbed off anyway so I was thinking he could not do anything with the information he had.

I have had financial probs some years ago and I honestly thought ant computer would blow up if my name went into it for a credit check but he said I was approved. I am so glad I came across this forum because I am not sure about this now. His sales pitch did echo many peoples comments including those on the Watchdog website in that he stated they were approved training agents of Microsoft and Cisco which is an untruth. Another reason for not signing anything was that he would not show me any of the reading materials prior to signing. On another blog people have stated that they have had cardboard cut outs of computer components to put together ie to show that a RAM module goes into a Motherboard and this is for a PC engineer accreditation which he said I would need to do before I do the linux/security course. He did not ask me any questions as he could see I knew my stuff as there was a self build computer in front of him and I think he would have got lost had I had explained things such as FSB and hypermemory and yes where the RAM module goes on a Motherboard lol.

My daughter who is a solicitor and who does credit checks on a regular basis working in an estate agent office said that you only need a name and address for a credit check. Why did he need my bank details and place of work details? So now the alarm bells are ringing. With a few hours to think about I am thinking that the person he phoned to approve the credit is one of these 'guaranteed finance places' you know in a job with a contact number etc we give you a loan but then on a blog I saw that some people have had a registration fee taken from there accounts. I do not to be slanderous here and I am not sure if the registration fee was taken before anything was signed or after which in that case would be ok. However I have cancelled my card and alerted my bank of the issue. I am not implying that any money would be taken out of my bank without signing any agreement but we do live in a paranoid society I guess. Further if it is a guaranteed finance does this mean that they will now approach my employer to find out if I work there which is what these companies do? He would have made it too obvious if he asked me for recent pay slips if this was the case. I am assuming that they cannot set up a standing order without me signing anything can they? and also if they tried I am assuming that it would be declined by my bank even if they had my bank account number, name and address would it? They clearly cannot just take it from my account now as the card has been cancelled. Any thoughts on similar experiences would be helpfull.

I cannot comment on the quality of the course because I did not see any of the materials but I just dont think it is a good idea now reading other peoples comments. I will 52/53 when I would finish this course so my age would go against me for a start netherlone a sub standard course if this was the case.

[Northumbrian]

Well - took the Server Administrator today. Failed it miserably, scoring 45% when the pass mark was 75. A lot of the questions seemed to be 'what if' scenarios, which were not covered in the course books I paid a lot of money for.

The final exam was Site Designer, which I felt I had more chance with, especially when the pass mark was a lower 70%. Pass I did, but boy was it close - just making it with 71%! Again, some of the questions were not in the course books provided, and believe me, I've read the books word for word.

So I've attained CIW Professional by passing the Foundations and Site Designer exams.
If I want to reach the top level of Web Manager, I would need to resit 3 and pass them all, which is more than what I've passed now. I can't see how this can be done for me, with the materials at my disposal, so i'm prepared to settle for what I've got.

Skill Trains say that 80% of their students pass the CIW exams, which has got to be a lie. The Foundations exam, maybe, but not all 5. No way!

[carnageangels]

To be fair to the sales guy he did leave me a mobile number and I contacted him today to tell him that I reconsidered and there was no point in him coming back around. He said he was sorry to hear that and left it at that. Hopefully there will be no futher probs.

[sab]

hi is there anyone stuck on a plubbing course with train 4 trade skills and trying to cancel it please help me, i got a advisee come round he spun a web of lies and now im stuck with a loan and course which i can not afford as i am on state benefits is it possible to get credit on benefits?

[ECA]

PLEASE,
for those that dont understand...
this is an international site...

If you question something, WE DONT KNOW WHERE YOU ARE..
Our answers will be for our area...and maybe NOT YOURS.
Please tall us your State or country..

[Rinoa]

Sab,
How long are you into the agreement? If you've only just signed up you should have 7 days (double check your contract, it might be 14 days?) to cancel. If it's been longer than that all you can do is complain, complain and keep on complaining. Contact your local CAB, Trading Standards, etc. Skillstrain will probably pass your complaint onto the marketing company if it's an issue with the sales rep.

I don't know what the laws are regarding credit, but most of us on low incomes (and even benefits) and even bad credit checks all managed to get onto these courses without even the smallest of hassle. If banks are to be made stricter when giving out credit then so should Skillstrain.


Carnageangels,
Glad to hear you had no hassle in the end. A lucky escape!

[carnageangels]

Read all the previous blogs on here and a number of suggestions are made but all with time. If this company was conducting business properly you would not have thought they would not issue a loan to someone that was unemployed. My guess is that they dont care as they have a mechanism in place to further unpaid fees to a rogue debt collecting agency who will claw some of the money back. Even if it is a few pounds a week with the threat of a county court court summons otherwise. As the credit provider and training company they will pass responsibility off to each other and rightly so as far as they are concerned because they are two separate businesses.

Looking back on my college days when I had a student loan I could not have stopped paying my loan from the student loans company if the college course was sub standard but they would have looked into it and there are mechanisms in place to assure that a college course or university course is top notch from external agencies. My student loan was with a bank and I dont think these people use banks but just money lenders who do not care if the course in inadequate. (Although they do go to lengths to give you the impression that the loan is with a bank ie Clydesdale which is not the Clydesdale bank in Scotland). It could be that this training company has a nice little partnership with a loans company who in turn have a nice little relationship with a debt collecting agency (Note could be as saying that they are would be slanderous). However looking back it was strange how the salesman got in touch with the person who does a credit check very quicky and were on first name terms so it would seem that this loan company was set up just for these salesman. (Weird can you imagine calling Barclays bank and saying ' Hi Stan here, can you please approve credit for name, address etc and have a yes in 2 secs GOD I wish) it is all strange.

The MAIN problem here is that the finance company would take you to court and the court would clearly side with them as they have your signature for the loan which is a separate business. If I lent you £20 to buy a cd player from a shop and it turned out it was broken when you get home you would still owe me £20 right which could be settled in a small claims court however if I had arranged with the shop to sell you dodgy goods then this would be a fraud scam I guess but how would you prove it without the Police? However if These finance people are not in the training field so they would not know if a course was sub standard. The court would not be interested in these nice little relationships and if the course was sold to you by fraudulent means ie such as the salesman saying to me I was going to do a microsoft accredited course when it clealy was not. The case being answered to at that time would be that you owe the finance company money and the case would be called A N Other v Finance Company and no other 3rd party would be involved. To prove that there is a bigger picture this would take a great deal of investigating and money and probably dealt with by a higher court.

watchdog has investigated this issue and although they questioned this set up they could not prove any criminal dealings here as consumer investigation companies do normally pass there findings on to the Police. Well we could hope that a sting is in progress right now. If it is legal then I am really anoyed that I havent set this up and I could be driving round in a BMW convertable like the salesman chap who come around and if I had a nice town house in London with a BMW to match I wouldnt care about you lol.

Seriously try a solictor as if you are unemployed you may get legal aid as the CAB are no use because they will only send a letter and the CAB dont scare people. You may have to speak to a few solicitors to get someone to have a bash for you but I am sure that there is a solicitor out there not afraid to take on these people. Good luck.

[carnageangels]

Good ideas m8 but as I said the CAB are as much use as. You can cancel the agreement if you act quickly. If you just write to them and cancel they will not act for some weeks then they will say that too much time have elapsed to cancel. Even if you send it recored delivery as this does not prove what was in the envelope the finance company could say there was nothing in it.

HERE COMES BRIGHT IDEA OF THE WEEK. Write out you letter of cancellation and go to a solicitor who could also place a letter of confirmation on contents in the envelope and send it recorded/guranteed next day delivery for you. You may have to phone around to get an appointment that quickly and if you dont succeed on the phone just cold call a solicitors office expalin to a receptionist the urgency and ask if you could just wait should a slot become available you could speak to a solicitor. I am sure if you sat around all day they would see you before closing time. YES this will cost you money upwards probably of £100 with no way of getting this back but losing £100 is better than losing £3000+ I know you said you were unemployed and this may be a problem but beg family + friends if you cant find the money. YOU HAVE TO DO IT.

[Londonmark]

Read all the previous blogs on here and a number of suggestions are made but all with time. If this company was conducting business properly you would not have thought they would not issue a loan to someone that was unemployed. My guess is that they dont care as they have a mechanism in place to further unpaid fees to a rogue debt collecting agency who will claw some of the money back. Even if it is a few pounds a week with the threat of a county court court summons otherwise. As the credit provider and training company they will pass responsibility off to each other and rightly so as far as they are concerned because they are two separate businesses.

Looking back on my college days when I had a student loan I could not have stopped paying my loan from the student loans company if the college course was sub standard but they would have looked into it and there are mechanisms in place to assure that a college course or university course is top notch from external agencies. My student loan was with a bank and I dont think these people use banks but just money lenders who do not care if the course in inadequate. (Although they do go to lengths to give you the impression that the loan is with a bank ie Clydesdale which is not the Clydesdale bank in Scotland). It could be that this training company has a nice little partnership with a loans company who in turn have a nice little relationship with a debt collecting agency (Note could be as saying that they are would be slanderous). However looking back it was strange how the salesman got in touch with the person who does a credit check very quicky and were on first name terms so it would seem that this loan company was set up just for these salesman. (Weird can you imagine calling Barclays bank and saying ' Hi Stan here, can you please approve credit for name, address etc and have a yes in 2 secs GOD I wish) it is all strange.

The MAIN problem here is that the finance company would take you to court and the court would clearly side with them as they have your signature for the loan which is a separate business. If I lent you £20 to buy a cd player from a shop and it turned out it was broken when you get home you would still owe me £20 right which could be settled in a small claims court however if I had arranged with the shop to sell you dodgy goods then this would be a fraud scam I guess but how would you prove it without the Police? However if These finance people are not in the training field so they would not know if a course was sub standard. The court would not be interested in these nice little relationships and if the course was sold to you by fraudulent means ie such as the salesman saying to me I was going to do a microsoft accredited course when it clealy was not. The case being answered to at that time would be that you owe the finance company money and the case would be called A N Other v Finance Company and no other 3rd party would be involved. To prove that there is a bigger picture this would take a great deal of investigating and money and probably dealt with by a higher court.

watchdog has investigated this issue and although they questioned this set up they could not prove any criminal dealings here as consumer investigation companies do normally pass there findings on to the Police. Well we could hope that a sting is in progress right now. If it is legal then I am really anoyed that I havent set this up and I could be driving round in a BMW convertable like the salesman chap who come around and if I had a nice town house in London with a BMW to match I wouldnt care about you lol.

Seriously try a solictor as if you are unemployed you may get legal aid as the CAB are no use because they will only send a letter and the CAB dont scare people. You may have to speak to a few solicitors to get someone to have a bash for you but I am sure that there is a solicitor out there not afraid to take on these people. Good luck.

while im aware that carnageangels was only speculating on this matter.

im kinda worried about this now as i phoned barclays today and they said they weren't affilated with skillstrain.

so only god knows were are course payments have been going.

[Northumbrian]

I rang them today asking what the CIW qualifications meant when applying for jobs, as I need to know if it's worth resitting exams to bump me up to the top level. They just told me more qualifications are better, though it just depends on what the employer is looking for.

I might as well have talked to myself. I thought they would have had some examples of people applying for jobs after finishing their wonderful course.

[elunia]

I rang them today asking what the CIW qualifications meant when applying for jobs, as I need to know if it's worth resitting exams to bump me up to the top level. They just told me more qualifications are better, though it just depends on what the employer is looking for.

I might as well have talked to myself. I thought they would have had some examples of people applying for jobs after finishing their wonderful course.

I can tell you these qualifications are not worth much in the UK. Many employers don't know about CIW. I have given up looking for a job in this field. What they look for is people with degrees and experience. A course which is not up to date (as it is the case with the one offered by notorious Skills Train) will not get you a good job. Check on job websites (for instance jobsite.co.uk) and see what employers are looking for. They never mention CIW!

[Northumbrian]

I can tell you these qualifications are not worth much in the UK. Many employers don't know about CIW. I have given up looking for a job in this field. What they look for is people with degrees and experience. A course which is not up to date (as it is the case with the one offered by notorious Skills Train) will not get you a good job. Check on job websites (for instance jobsite.co.uk) and see what employers are looking for. They never mention CIW!

So it looks like it's all been for nothing then? Definitely not worth doing any resits. This is definitely the end of my studying.

[elunia]

So it looks like it's all been for nothing then? Definitely not worth doing any resits. This is definitely the end of my studying.

I you want to do it for the pure love of knowledge and satisfaction, it is worth your effort. If you try hard, you might get a job but don't hope for anything very well paid. After all, there are many computer science graduates looking for jobs and they will be considered first by companies looking for employees.