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

[Yasmin89]

guys surely the fact that advent had no time limit but computeach slap a 2 year limit then charge you for any extra tim you take measn its not like for like.. also someone put this comment up on the facebook page:

 

Advent where the only training company in Europe,middle east and africa to be in a channel authorized partner programme(CAPP) which computeach hasn,t and i am... sure the agreement says that in order to fulfil there agreement they have to give like to like which they cant

Just to let everyone no computeach have not got the same channel award as advent had with compta.

 

 

so def notlike forlike then???

[Bluedo]

Hi chankin

There are people here working on a solution keep checking in see what they

come up with

[skyblue dave]

Good work Boosh.

 

Advent include the student edition of the Adobe CS3 Creative suite (ie Flash, Fireworks, Dreamweaver).

 

Therefore, on this point alone, Computeach does not match Advent.

[Boosh]

doea anyone have the list of modules for the MCSE they could put on here as I can't find mine to compare to CT

[Boosh]

Ok I have just emailed CT with lots of questions, I will let you know what they say as soon as I do

[wizard21]

Very very interesting Fuzzbutt, especially the part about "we don't cover resits unfortunately"... Advent did, and it was a large part of the appeal of the course - no more hidden fees.

 

I know that everyone thought I was "pro-Barclays" from my original posts (which is bull - i'm just pro-common sense and getting my sodding certs which my employer wants me to get) but this development is very interesting.

 

Rather than reject Computeach out of hand, I thought that I would take a look at what they offer and so far it has been disappointing.

 

I called them on Friday for clarification as i'm on the Cisco CCNA path and was told that they had taken people on specifically to do the CCNA course - so i'm getting my training from the new guys basically.

 

I actually contacted 3 distance providers when I first became interested in IT distance learning. The first was Advent, who contacted me within 24 hours and arranged a meeting with a salesman the next day. SkillsTrain couldn't arrange a meeting for a week, by which time I'd already signed with Advent.

 

The third was Computeach.

 

They contacted me in September 2008 - while I was in my workshop with Advent, and 3 months after my initial enquiry.

 

My main issue here is that I don't want to be waiting any longer to get my training, if I was still with Advent I would be on Network Infrastructure now (otherwise known as "the beast") and on course to have my MCSE by early next year. I'm working in IT, can get my exams paid for by my employer, and just want the whole saga ended.

 

Points to reference with Computeach that I am not happy about:-

 

1. A time limit on the course. If they say "you need to finish your MCSE in 18 months from X date" then fine, but they can't stiff me by telling me that I was with Advent for 18 months and only have 6 months left. I signed up when you paid for a package - not later on, when Advent started to sell courses in access time rather than certs, ie 2500 per 12 months of study. This is how i'm assuming that Computeach sell their courses.

2. They don't deal with resits? Erm, if I wanted to book an exam and then worry about how i'm going to pay for it if I fail, i'll just pay the 80 quid thanks. Either way the bottom line is that Advent paid for unlimited resits - therefore this is a MAJOR difference in the training provision.

3. The "internal mocks".. Advent had the same thing, however I passed a mock at 78%, sat the real exam the next week and passed easily with Advent. It's hard to be motivated to do a meaningless mock when you have worked all day and you know that it's just going to lead to a real exam. Again - Advent had no "mock exam" criteria so another difference between the two

 

Sorry for rambling... i'd better click post now before my eyes go funny

[wizard21]

doea anyone have the list of modules for the MCSE they could put on here as I can't find mine to compare to CT

 

Here you go mate - This is my Advent MCSE + ANS + CCNA course, in full.

 

A+ Essentials

A+ Technician (A+ Certified)

Supporting Users & Troubleshooting MS Windows XP (MCP certified)

Supporting Users & Troubleshooting Desktop Applications in MS Windows XP (MCDST certified)

Installing, Configuring & Administering XP Professional

Installing, Configuring & Administering Windows 2003 Server Edition

Planning, Implementing, Administering & Maintaining Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure (MCSA certified)

Planning, Implementing & Maintaining Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Infrastructure

Implementing and Managing Microsoft Exchange Server 2003

Designing a Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Organisation (I think this is the MCSE done, but not sure)

Designing Security for a MS Windows Server 2003 Network (MSCE Messaging Specialist)

Implementing and Administering Security in a Windows Server 2003 Network (MCSE Security)

COMPTIA A+ Security

Cisco CCNA

 

Not sure what exams give what, but the MCSE is the A+, 2 exams for DST, 3 exams for MCSA and then another 3 for MCSE.

[Yasmin89]

hi guys, please could someone post the details fro the MCSA? im tryint to find fault with computeaches version of it. Sorry i dont have the original paper work and it was a ctually my boyfreind doing the course so im even more in the dark. I would be very grateful

[Boosh]

Here you go mate - This is my Advent MCSE + ANS + CCNA course, in full.

 

A+ Essentials

A+ Technician (A+ Certified)

Supporting Users & Troubleshooting MS Windows XP (MCP certified)

Supporting Users & Troubleshooting Desktop Applications in MS Windows XP (MCDST certified)

Installing, Configuring & Administering XP Professional

Installing, Configuring & Administering Windows 2003 Server Edition

Planning, Implementing, Administering & Maintaining Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure (MCSA certified)

Planning, Implementing & Maintaining Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Infrastructure

Implementing and Managing Microsoft Exchange Server 2003

Designing a Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Organisation (I think this is the MCSE done, but not sure)

Designing Security for a MS Windows Server 2003 Network (MSCE Messaging Specialist)

Implementing and Administering Security in a Windows Server 2003 Network (MCSE Security)

COMPTIA A+ Security

Cisco CCNA

 

Not sure what exams give what, but the MCSE is the A+, 2 exams for DST, 3 exams for MCSA and then another 3 for MCSE.

 

Thank you very much for that wizard

[cHankin]

thanx,Boosh will do mate,this needs to be sorted,i rang them when i got the letter sayin they nearly found a like for like course,then i get a letter the next day sayin its computeach.

 

when the letter comes through sayin i should start payin,should i just ignore it until its sovled,man my heads messed up with this.keep up the good work guys.

[Bluedo]

So what's wrong with IT?

 

Tonight's bedtime reading try read through to last post

 

 

 

 

 

Yep criminal

Edited March 30, 2010 by Bluedo

[chris379NE]

hi everyone, i've written a strong letter of complaint to the delightful (sarcasm) Wilma Thomson, customer relations manager for BPF who has been sending the letters re: now being students of computeach/ continue my payments/ failed to make last two payments/ 'equivalent or better course' etc etc. i've stated how disgusted i, and thousands of other students are, that i refuse to be passed on to computeach, how computeach have a lawsuit against them from current students for poor service/ support etc, that we are seeeking legal advice/ government partition/ TS/ BBC's watchdog-anything really to demand our money back and the cancellation of further payments. i know it may seem futile but we have to try and fight this, good luck to you all, fight on people!!!

[cHankin]

nice,i hope it goes well.

[Boosh]

hi everyone, i've written a strong letter of complaint to the delightful (sarcasm) Wilma Thomson, customer relations manager for BPF who has been sending the letters re: now being students of computeach/ continue my payments/ failed to make last two payments/ 'equivalent or better course' etc etc. i've stated how disgusted i, and thousands of other students are, that i refuse to be passed on to computeach, how computeach have a lawsuit against them from current students for poor service/ support etc, that we are seeeking legal advice/ government partition/ TS/ BBC's watchdog-anything really to demand our money back and the cancellation of further payments. i know it may seem futile but we have to try and fight this, good luck to you all, fight on people!!!

 

I think i'll do the same thing and ask them where my reply is to a letter I sent 4 weeks ago, the more of us that complain and state that the computeach students are getting a law suit against them, it will be interesting to see what their reply will be as they won't have a generic letter for that one

[Bluedo]

"far too often these companies train people for worthless courses and then go bust leaving the client with a £5000 debt to pay for a course they cannot complete.

 

We have had to fight Barclays on section 75 of the CCA to get the debt written off"

 

Read more: http://www.dailymail.

 

Taken from the Daily Mail Online

 

Technically if the MCSE course is...

A Not advisable unless having at least 18months experience in IT

B Pointless as to validity of Qualification

C Distance Learning being not respected by employers in IT as lacks experience in this field.

These are very valid reasons as to being sold unsatisfactory goods and taking advantage of peoples lack of knowledge of what they are really signing up for.

Because let's face it this is nothing more than a money making scheme for a Finance company and Training companies that are in cahoots with them.

 

Chris let us know what they say if anything

Edited March 30, 2010 by Bluedo

[Lankus]

WebCHeck - Select and Access Company Information

 

Is this any good to you Mathew

 

Hi Bluedo, thanks for this. I was actually after a newspaper article or something like that which has reported OLCI being in financial difficulties. Has anyone seen anything like this? I know it was mentioned on vimeo.com, but I'm looking for something in writing. Thanks again Bluedo

[Lankus]

Hi all, was anyone here doing the Proffesional Plumber course with Access? I'm calling OLCI tomorrow to get some information such as course structure, if there's a starter tool kit issued, number of practical training weeks, qualifications gained etc, to find as many differences between the courses as possible. Does anyone have any questions they'd like me to put to them?

 

Also, I started on the electrician course before switching to the plumbing so I didn't get the whole sales spiel. Was it necessary to work in the industry in order to be able to gain some of the qualifications with Access? I've got a feeling this may be the case with OLCI, i.e. you can't gain all qualifications without working in the industry. If it turns out I have no choice other than to accept the course, I want to get a job in plumbing way down the line so I want to finish the course then take some time out before actually getting a plumbing job.

[Bluedo]

Hi Lankus

Be interesting to see what they tell you let them tell you what they offer or design your questions that you need to compare.

I'll have a search for that article quite enjoy being a detective but I'll not be doing a distance learning course on it.

 

did you check out that Regent Club their previous name

Edited March 30, 2010 by Bluedo

[MARTIN3030]

Hi if anyone is going to write another letter to BPF or CT complaining of this situation, please can you put a template up on here as I am not that good at writing letters on this scale of importance

 

Also it seems that a few of you have already spoken to the Ombudsman I thought we had to wait for 8 weeks from when we first had the email from advent

 

 

Since there are different scenarios theres no one fits all temp.

 

In relation to the FOS-under FSA regs a lender/service provider etc has 8 weeks in which to either resolve a complaint to satisfaction-or else provide a final decision/answer.

It does not mean that the 8 weeks timescale should be 8 weeks before contacting FOS.

You may for example get a final decision inside of 8 weeks.

 

There is no harm in logging a complaint and getting issued with a complaints ref No before resolution discussions are final-Here the FOS will ask you to fill out the form and ask you to send it to them with supporting info.They will then return it to you and will not take further action until the 8 weeks is up or else you have a final response (Whichever falls the sooner)

 

Even after the 8 weeks is up-they will request all supporting evidence from you-copy it then send you the lot back.

The usual course of action after this is that they will tell you they will contact the lender/FSP etc and that they will take no further action until hearing from you again.

 

So its a pretty drawn out thing-the lenders know how the FOS works and so are in no hurry to respond.

 

If the lender sends you further Comms-you have to send it to the FOS who then copy it and return to you ....and so the merrygoround continues.

 

 

I notice a few people have mentioned informing BPF about the litigation against Comp.

 

It is very likely they will argue that they cannot comment on it,and until any judgements are handed down (if any) that they consider no case to use.

Its my own opinion that given the tie up that seemingly now exists,and also the implications for Barclays should Comp have judgement found against them in any litigation,that Barclays will have this in hand for responding to and those tasked will have been briefed.

 

In fact,its not unreasonable to suppose that Barclays legal teams are addressing the issues in collaberation with Comp.

Certainly their vested interests in consideration are not beyond question.

 

These are personal thoughts tho-and not statements of fact-I am not party to know the facts of vthe matters,only to say that this situation begs far more answers to questions than we have seen.

[MARTIN3030]

Matty-its sorted.

[Bluedo]

sorry

Edited March 30, 2010 by Bluedo

[Lankus]

I was for a minute Bluedo

[Bluedo]

Martin was there any fireworks?

[MARTIN3030]

I have to wait for OFT to come back -it usually takes a week.

 

Given that I KNOW they are monitoring here-they obv will have advance warning.

I will also be writing to Dudley Trading Standards.

[Bluedo]

Yes that's a great idea it's like a conspiracy the more you look the more deceitful it appears. There's something not right here it is like the post i saw earlier that said it is criminal what's happening