Advent Computer Training (Barclays Partner Finance)Info and discussion thread

[Fuzzbutt]

I hope so I'll go with your TS then but it would be interesting to see if everyone calls TS and gets their views on this cos I'm open to suggestions and also forgot to say I've to phone TS back when I recieve a letter from PKF or barclay's about the terms of new provider.

My thoughts if the new provider is not like for like then I'll look further into where we stand then

 

Yes, CD did stress it has to be or else Barclays will still be in breach.

 

Originally Posted by Lindsey0796

Also on a more serious note, the only company you really want your training switched to is Computeach, they now stand alone as Barclays did exactly the same to them last year, but as they had been around for a much longer time where able to weather the storm.

If Barclays changed your training provider please also check the following and if they are not registered with these companies they are not the equivelant:

Microsoft Gold Partner

CompTIA Learning Alliance Partner

Institute of IT Training Gold Standard Accredited Training Provider

Authorised Pearson View Test Centre

REC Member

Advent were at this level, therefore your new training provider should have to be too otherwise you should be able to say its not the same as the contract and you want your money back!

Dont forget these things to:

You had a no fail guarantee on your exams.

A careers team to assist you into work.

Free Phone Line.

Min 2 x training days per module.

All course work was from that govening body, for instance Microsoft. It was not skills train dare I say that provided people with Course work 2 years out of date and we ahd just introduced Microsoft Server 2008 and Windows 7 to the Certified Professional Programme.

Your new training provider must offer you these things!

[Bluedo]

HA HA HA! Barclays the LOSERS it appears!

 

Good news from TS, who just phoned to say no, Barclays can't force their trainer on those who paid via BPF as, if the loan was introduced to you by the Advent salesman and you took it out via them, it is a LINKED loan, so therefore you are NOT contracted to the new provider.

 

He said he'd have to pass all the paperwork I provided to a dedicated team, and they'd get back to me later this week, but was pretty sure I had nothing to worry about.

 

Where that leaves people with other agreements such as Career Dev Loan etc best to get onto your local TS office for advice I guess as each person's circumstance will be different.

 

 

Hope he's right (really is like being on a seesaw ) Wonder if that will apply to me as well

[Fuzzbutt]

TS will have to have a look at all your paperwork, Bluedo, but if it's a BPF loan you're repaying I guess it will apply for you too.

[Lankus]

HA HA HA! Barclays the LOSERS it appears!

 

Good news from TS, who just phoned to say no, Barclays can't force their trainer on those who paid via BPF as, if the loan was introduced to you by the Advent salesman and you took it out via them, it is a LINKED loan, so therefore you are NOT contracted to the new provider.

 

He said he'd have to pass all the paperwork I provided to a dedicated team, and they'd get back to me later this week, but was pretty sure I had nothing to worry about.

 

Where that leaves people with other agreements such as Career Dev Loan etc best to get onto your local TS office for advice I guess as each person's circumstance will be different.

 

 

Thanks for the good news FuzzButt. Did they say anything about if the alternative provider turns out to be Advent/Access run by new owners?

[Fuzzbutt]

No, nothing on that Matthew. The new trainer hasn't been named yet so they wouldn't comment. I'm very suspicious about directors Allchurch and the other guy and half-expect to see them pop up again under another guise!

[Fuzzbutt]

Barclays dirty finger in this suspect, collapsed IT training pie too....ring any bells?

 

Empty promises of IT career with Fraser McKenzie - Investigations

 

And Mirror investigators advice on reclaiming loans...

Advice for victims of collapsed training schemes - Investigations

[Bluedo]

It's a pure scandal what ALL these companies have done.

It's somewhere that Advent had a £30million turnover and no way were they spending that on training us. How can they get away with this

[cashins]

TS will have to have a look at all your paperwork, Bluedo, but if it's a BPF loan you're repaying I guess it will apply for you too.

 

The disparity of advise from different local trading standards is some thing this forum is used to.

 

Trading standards are run and funded by local authorities, which accounts for some differences in policy and advise.

 

It has been noted however that, although they're pretty good if you buy a duff car from a local trader, many are reluctant to take on large national companies.

 

David

[Bluedo]

I can't get over the change in the TS woman today when I said that it's been reported that PKF have found a buyer for Advent.

On friday she was saying Advent have breached the contract and BPF were also liable. and you're entitled to a refund/cancellation

 

To-day she says the administrators are running Advents company and it's still active just been put on hold so there's been no breach cos Advent consulting has not been wound up. I wonder if she's been told to say that by someone else it was like everything she said on Friday was not what she was saying today.

 

My next move is to wait and see who the new company is that's being offered and if it's unsuitable then that's the time to refuse and ask to cancel but would need a court to do that I think she said I don't know where to turn now don't feel anyone can help.

 

Don't shoot the messenger:( I don't want any of it anymore I feel like I'm being scammed and caught up in a conspiracy

 

Fuzzbutt did you say to your TS it was PKF or Barclay that had the provider.?

[mantaxi]

i have contacted a solicitor today below is their reply. looks like its the only way to go.

 

We have been dealing with similar matters relating to Advent training for other clients. We have drafted a response letter to Barclays finance informing them that the like-for-like for course is insufficient and as a result the agreement/contract is frustrated and a full refund should be given.

Therefore yes it is possible to refuse to accept this like-for-like for course. We can arrange for our solicitors to make the above responses on your behalf and our fee is £27.99.

[cashins]

To-day she says the administrators are running Advents company and it's still active just been put on hold so there's been no breach cos Advent consulting has not been wound up. I wonder if she's been told to say that by someone else it was like everything she said on Friday was not what she was saying today.

 

 

It ceased trading near five weeks ago - they are clearly in breach.

 

As per previous comment, TS like dealing with local problems, rogue trader & underage drinking sting operations are a big hit these days. Great publicity for them and of course the local politico's who direct them.

 

They are happy to sort out a backstreet car dealer or the dodgy plumbers but national companies with big legal teams tend not to appeal to much.

 

 

David

[Bravo3zero]

Hi all,

I have found good news in BBC for those who wish to continue IT training. Hope you like it.

 

Terms agreed over Hagley training firms

 

Administrators have agreed terms with companies to buy the interests of two Worcestershire firms which provided training to about 11,000 students. Advent Computer Training and plumber and electrician training firm Access 2 Careers, in Hagley, employed about 250. Administrators PKF in Birmingham said it had agreed sales of the businesses subject to contract with two firms. It is anticipated many students caught up in the companies' collapse were set to see their futures secured, it added. 'Working hard' Advent Computer Training, established in 2002, provided IT training to more than 8,000 students, while Access 2 Careers, formed in 2004, offered plumber and electrician training for about 3,000. One of the unnamed training companies which had stepped in specialised in IT and the other concentrated on trade services including plumbing, PKF said. PKF partner Ian Gould said: "We have agreed sales of the businesses subject to contract, with two separate training organisations and also with one of the major funders involved. "This covers the interests of a considerable number of the students affected who should be able to continue their studies soon. "We hope to move to formal contract over the next few days. "We hope that more funders will follow suit in relation to those other students involved and we will be working hard to conclude matters so that the majority, if not all, are back in training as soon as possible.

 

Thanks guys and gals.

[Fuzzbutt]

i have contacted a solicitor today below is their reply. looks like its the only way to go.

 

We have been dealing with similar matters relating to Advent training for other clients. We have drafted a response letter to Barclays finance informing them that the like-for-like for course is insufficient and as a result the agreement/contract is frustrated and a full refund should be given.

Therefore yes it is possible to refuse to accept this like-for-like for course. We can arrange for our solicitors to make the above responses on your behalf and our fee is £27.99.

 

Thanks for that, Mantaxi. Very helpful. Please could you maybe let me have that solicitors details? Feel free to PM me. Thanks very much.

 

A key final weapon on our side of course is the 'like for like' argument, especially the job placement Advent promised, along with all the accreditations they had. I don't think there's any other IT trainers that had such a list to their name, except maybe Computeach.

 

And yes, there was a break in the course support of 5 weeks when there was no mentoring service, no way to contact Advent, no support or information from PKF so that is a BREACH, period!

 

I think the mis-selling is also an issue when it comes to the validity of a contract. If you can demonstrate Advent could never have fulfilled it's job promise and guarantee a placement (which of course they couldn't!) that's also going to seriously undermine how 'real' the contract was in the first place. I was told by the salesman I could take the exams in a Bristol exam centre (where I live) for example. That made it convenient for me and I took his word for it, pleased I'd not have to go to their exams in Kidderminster at the training centre.

 

Will wait and see how things develop.

[cashins]

Thanks for that, Mantaxi. Very helpful. Please could you maybe let me have that solicitors details? Feel free to PM me. Thanks very much.

 

 

Same here if you could

 

David

[Fuzzbutt]

Fuzzbutt did you say to your TS it was PKF or Barclay that had the provider.?

 

I copied them all the replies from Barclays I'd received, Bluedo, and in the second letter Barclays Customer Relations actually say 'we are currently in the process of sourcing an alternative training provider'. That's also what they were saying to people on the phone.

But according to PKF's latest statement on their website THEY have found the buyer. I mentioned that and emailed them that link too, so I'll leave TS to bash it out for themselves. I'm certainly confused. I can only assume PKF and Barclays are in collusion on finding a new trainer and 'we' may have referred to both parties?

 

I got the impression that the new trainer was considered incidental by TS, but Barclays action was what was of real interest to them.

[Bluedo]

i have contacted a solicitor today below is their reply. looks like its the only way to go.

 

We have been dealing with similar matters relating to Advent training for other clients. We have drafted a response letter to Barclays finance informing them that the like-for-like for course is insufficient and as a result the agreement/contract is frustrated and a full refund should be given.

Therefore yes it is possible to refuse to accept this like-for-like for course. We can arrange for our solicitors to make the above responses on your behalf and our fee is £27.99.[/QUOTe

 

Thanks Mantaxi could you PM me that as well please thanks

[Bluedo]

It ceased trading near five weeks ago - they are clearly in breach.

 

As per previous comment, TS like dealing with local problems, rogue trader & underage drinking sting operations are a big hit these days. Great publicity for them and of course the local politico's who direct them.

 

They are happy to sort out a backstreet car dealer or the dodgy plumbers but national companies with big legal teams tend not to appeal to much.

 

 

David

 

You're right David,

I'm getting worn down with all the conflicting advice from TS and the other bodies there to "help"

Past dealings with TS was about a colour monitor for security camera a black/white one was sent and a dispute with seller proceded involved TS conclusion-We told seller not to do that again-

This Forum is all that's keeping me going at the min

[Bluedo]

A key final weapon on our side of course is the 'like for like' argument, especially the job placement Advent promised, along with all the accreditations they had. I don't think there's any other IT trainers that had such a list to their name, except maybe Computeach.

 

And yes, there was a break in the course support of 5 weeks when there was no mentoring service, no way to contact Advent, no support or information from PKF so that is a BREACH, period!

 

I think the mis-selling is also an issue when it comes to the validity of a contract. If you can demonstrate Advent could never have fulfilled it's job promise and guarantee a placement (which of course they couldn't!) that's also going to seriously undermine how 'real' the contract was in the first place. I was told by the salesman I could take the exams in a Bristol exam centre (where I live) for example. That made it convenient for me and I took his word for it, pleased I'd not have to go to their exams in Kidderminster at the training centre.

 

Hi Fuzzbutt

I totally agree with your post I wonder if Advents accreditations are real

and I'm sure there's been a mis-selling of there course but the people I'm speaking to sort of pass it by like that's not an issue. I think it is. I am very confused at the min need a boost to get me on the up again . like some good news keep searching guys

Edited March 4, 2010 by Bluedo

[Savarok]

Fuzzbutt - if you don't mind can you pass the solicitors details on to me also. Your circumstances are almost identical to mine!

 

Thanks

[Fuzzbutt]

Will do, Savarok. It was actually Mantaxi however who did the leg work and posted that info.

[Lankus]

i have contacted a solicitor today below is their reply. looks like its the only way to go.

 

We have been dealing with similar matters relating to Advent training for other clients. We have drafted a response letter to Barclays finance informing them that the like-for-like for course is insufficient and as a result the agreement/contract is frustrated and a full refund should be given.

Therefore yes it is possible to refuse to accept this like-for-like for course. We can arrange for our solicitors to make the above responses on your behalf and our fee is £27.99.

 

Sorry to jump on the band wagon mantaxi, but could I have the solicitors details too please? Do they have a web page you could post a link for please? Cheers

[Savarok]

Will do, Savarok. It was actually Mantaxi however who did the leg work and posted that info.

 

Ahh my bad sorry Mantaxi - I don't want to discredit you for your hard work

[skyblue dave]

i have contacted a solicitor today below is their reply. looks like its the only way to go.

 

We have been dealing with similar matters relating to Advent training for other clients. We have drafted a response letter to Barclays finance informing them that the like-for-like for course is insufficient and as a result the agreement/contract is frustrated and a full refund should be given.

Therefore yes it is possible to refuse to accept this like-for-like for course. We can arrange for our solicitors to make the above responses on your behalf and our fee is £27.99.

 

Could you let me have the address please?

[jbaggy]

Hi all,

I wrote the same letter as THE ROADIE, post No 1018 and sent it to BPF, I've had a reply letter today, its a bit long winded so here goes.......

 

"Further to our recent letter concerning Advent Consulting Ltd ceasing to trade, I can confirm that we are now in discussions with a suitable alternative supplier, which we hope to conclude shortly.

 

However where you state in you letter that you do not wish for an alternative training provider to complete your training and you wish for your account to be cancelled, I cannot comply with your request to cancel your account.

The agreement you have signed with Barclays Partner Finance is an agreement to provide a training course. Unfortunately that training provider has now ceased to trade but where Barclays can provide a new training provider to complete that training course, BPF is not in breach of contract as we have fulfilled the agreement.

However your account has been placed on hold for the time being and you direct debit has been cancelled."

 

 

Firstly does anyone have any suggestions on how or what to reply with?

2nd I thought Advent provided the training course and Barclays just provided the finance?

3rd If Barclays find a new training provider are they financing it? If so when they get fed up in a few years time are they going to pull funding again?

 

And I know you are aware that BPF have pulled out on training courses before but just to let you know they have pulled out on 2 training courses at our local collage the lastest was around xmas time.

 

Sorry for the really long message but like you all I'm getting stressed and worried about all of this.

Thank you all for the great advice and ideas you are adding to this forum.

 

Cheers all

[Fuzzbutt]

I'd suggest a read back through the previous pages, jbaggy, as there's lots of discussion on exactly this.

I was told by Consumer Direct to INSIST in writing I wanted a refund and stick to it.

We signed our contracts for training with Advent, not Tom, Dick or Harry Ltd who may suit Barclays (who of course will tell you they're fulfilling their contract and can't possibly refund your money or cancel it!)

You say cancel it, so I guess you've not paid your loan back fully? There have been others in your position on here and the Facebook group who have been insistant on having their account frozen, even if they won't cancel it, and Barclays have done that, but it seemed they have to hassle customer service for them to do that.

Good luck.