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

[10pack]

Apologies I was unable to get back on yesterday with the re-scanned letter from Barclays, but I see 10pack has kindly posted up what it says anyway, and it's identical to the letter I had. I had to shake my head when I read 'you're obliged to continue your repayments' - my loan was paid off last Dec!

 

On the mis-selling issue, I too chose Advent basically because they offered the recruitment team support service. I've trawled Computeach's website and, while they offer to help people with their CVs and interview techniques, they do not offer a specialist team who sources job placements in your local area, as the Advent salesman promised me. Here's the proof of what he offered in their confirmation letter....

[ATTACH]17440[/ATTACH]

 

He also took a copy of my CV and promised to forward it to the recruitment team so they could start looking for a basic web developer position for me within the 10 mile radius of where I live that I specified I was happy to commute within!

 

I know it's been raised that many of us are hanging on to the mis-selling issue and didn't see this as a problem before the collapse of Advent, but I really DO think that this course was mis-sold to me in the light of the poor support I received after starting the course.

I was under no illusions about what the Master CIW Designer course entailed, and thought myself pretty capable of achieving it. I am a qualified graphic designer with 10 years employment background in web and magazine design, and this looked an ideal way to be able to update my skills in order to get back into that after a break, while still holding down an admin job. When I explained to the salesman I would find it hard to get to the workshops as they were midweek and taking time off work and staying overnight during the week was not an option, he said don't worry about that as the workshops were an optional part of the course.

I took the mock and failed it, but received no mentoring advice other than to try the multiple answer tests at the end of the book chapters and email them in to Advent for marking - I had the answers book so I could have done that for myself! I was given no helpful advice on further reading for example to help with my weak areas, and was appalled when I was told I could look the answers up for questions I found difficult....what was the point of that! I wouldn't be able to do that in an exam and it wouldn't give me a clear picture of where I was at knowledge-wise.

 

I can't see any of the web software that was on my course spec covered by Computeach, at least according to their website, so for me at least I think they'll be unable to complete my training, even if I'd wanted them to.

 

I didnt get anything like that.. I had the sales bloke tell me that because I was out of work I would be able to wizz through the first part of the course and they would be looking for job places for me.

 

They did not ask me for a cv or even show me jobs that were available just asked if I was willing to work anywhere in the world since they had job contacts that needed workers in places such as Australia and Newzealand.. (I was open to offers to work abroad before this anyway, got no kids and I split with my ex awhile back).

 

Computeach internal exams are even better.. when you fail they send you back you answer paper marked.. and you get a chance to re-sit with the exact same exam question papers.. but because the questions are so vague even if you copy an answer that you got full marks on it does not mean you will get the same full marks the second time around, and thats how they wear you down until either time runs out or you realise what they are doing and give up.

[Boosh]

I didnt get anything like that.. I had the sales bloke tell me that because I was out of work I would be able to wizz through the first part of the course and they would be looking for job places for me.

 

They did not ask me for a cv or even show me jobs that were available just asked if I was willing to work anywhere in the world since they had job contacts that needed workers in places such as Australia and Newzealand.. (I was open to offers to work abroad before this anyway, got no kids and I split with my ex awhile back).

 

Computeach internal exams are even better.. when you fail they send you back you answer paper marked.. and you get a chance to re-sit with the exact same exam question papers.. but because the questions are so vague even if you copy an answer that you got full marks on it does not mean you will get the same full marks the second time around, and thats how they wear you down until either time runs out or you realise what they are doing and give up.

 

 

Good point but i think if CT have to honour Advents original terms then they will want to get us through it as quickly as possible. as they will not get any extra money off of us the longer we take. Just a thought anyway

[wasabi project]

Got my letter this morning with the "your with computeach now" message. I just want to cancel everything and get clean of this entire thing. I have already started looking at other career avenues as I can't see this one working for me. Should ring the barclays customer relations line to try and get it cancelled or would it be a waste of time trying?

[10pack]

Got my letter this morning with the "your with computeach now" message. I just want to cancel everything and get clean of this entire thing. I have already started looking at other career avenues as I can't see this one working for me. Should ring the barclays customer relations line to try and get it cancelled or would it be a waste of time trying?

 

Read my post further down, I already called... barclays is pushing us to go with computeach, as far as barclays is concerned they have finished with us and our complaints.. they are expecting to be paid as per contract.

 

I will be writing in to barclays with my views.. they already know them from my phone call and from reading here on this thread.. but they will still make me go through the motions wasting more of my time.

 

I did tell the bloke I am so certain about what will happen with computeach I may as well just give barclays their money now and

not bother calling computeach and not training, because that will in effect happen if I waste my time with computeach.

Edited March 29, 2010 by 10pack

[chemical bomber]

Another thing which may be interesting:

 

I phoned an advent service desk about a year ago to enquire what my options were in terms of cancelling my course (since i wanted to instead study at university). Although the advent employee was very sympathetic, she told me that i basically had no options.

 

Later on in the week however, i received a letter in the post pretty much giving me this option.

 

For my first workshop in kiddiminster, as a goodwill gesture, advent would:

 

Pay my costs to commute both to and from the workshop location

 

OR

 

Pay for one nights accomodation on the day of the workshop.

 

Would Computeach do this?

[Mustard2243]

I still have no letter today and i am not going to call and ask for one.

[Get Lucky]

Just spoken to the FOS and got them to start the proceedings. And now, in breathless anticipation, I wait.... 8 weeks max.

 

So I should know by the time the World Cup starts!!!

[JuiceyBuns]

Had a quick think about the next steps over lunch.

 

First we need to contact CT by phone and request contact details of someone who we can write to about our "unique" training requirements. As mentioned on here many times, get everything in writing!!.

 

Write to them and request a complete package of their offer for the completion of the training. Including any deadlines/timescales/workshop locations and fees for additional time etc....

 

Write to BFP and enclose a copy of the letter above. Ask for your account to remain frozen until your analysis (as mentioned by me earlier today) is complete as you cannot continue your course until you have been able to confirm that the training matches what you originally signed up for and under the same constraints.

 

Once you have a package in writing, then compare against your original Advent course spec.

[Fuzzbutt]

I just called the Computeach number, out of interest, to ask -

do you cover the web design software listed on my Advent spec?

is there a time limit on when we have to finish by as Advent was a supposedly self-paced course, with the chance to re-sit the exam if you fail at no extra cost?

She was unable to answer and someone is going to call me back!!

I told her I didn't want Computeach as a provider and she seemed unsure what to say, then told me that Barclays may look at another provider if they don't do the CIW Designer package....

 

Start drafting my 'shove it Barclays' letter now!

[Boosh]

Another thing which may be interesting:

 

I phoned an advent service desk about a year ago to enquire what my options were in terms of cancelling my course (since i wanted to instead study at university). Although the advent employee was very sympathetic, she told me that i basically had no options.

 

Later on in the week however, i received a letter in the post pretty much giving me this option.

 

For my first workshop in kiddiminster, as a goodwill gesture, advent would:

 

Pay my costs to commute both to and from the workshop location

 

OR

 

Pay for one nights accomodation on the day of the workshop.

 

Would Computeach do this?

My question exactly

 

The advent rep told me i would get my expenses paid, when it came to my first workshop and asked them how this would happen and they told me he was wrong but still paid for half of my accommodation

[Fuzzbutt]

Had a quick think about the next steps over lunch.

 

First we need to contact CT by phone and request contact details of someone who we can write to about our "unique" training requirements. As mentioned on here many times, get everything in writing!!.

 

Write to them and request a complete package of their offer for the completion of the training. Including any deadlines/timescales/workshop locations and fees for additional time etc....

 

Write to BFP and enclose a copy of the letter above. Ask for your account to remain frozen until your analysis (as mentioned by me earlier today) is complete as you cannot continue your course until you have been able to confirm that the training matches what you originally signed up for and under the same constraints.

 

Once you have a package in writing, then compare against your original Advent course spec.

 

That's a good idea, JuicyBuns.

When, if, Computeach call back I'll insist they do that.

[chemical bomber]

That's a good idea, JuicyBuns.

When, if, Computeach call back I'll insist they do that.

 

Please post it up here for the rest of us

[Lankus]

When are you expective to hear back from the solicitor a4ron?

[Bongo_Fury]

When i spoke to Computeach earlier, they told me that they would be writing to every student regarding their own situation. This will take some considerable time. They sounded overwhelmed by the current situation.

 

In the meantime all loan accounts should remain frozen as we are still not getting the service we paid for.

[wasabi project]

is it worth me ringing computech to try to cancel my course, as i have been trying ti cancel since the end of december

[Fuzzbutt]

When are you expective to hear back from the solicitor a4ron?

 

He did say he'd get back to me probably this Tues or Weds, once he's had a look at the contracts. But I've also heard from another company I'd contacted at the same time and will have more on Weds as to whether they are willing to take us on as a class action.

 

I'll say no more than that for now as Barclays will be reading here I'm sure.

[Fuzzbutt]

Please post it up here for the rest of us

 

Will do - so far they haven't even called me back.

[Turfs75]

Hi all,

I'm another advent student thats got finance through BPF. Just like to say thanks for all the advice thats been put on here, been most helpful.

 

I have to say that after everything thats happened with Advent the thought of going with another provider fills me with dread. My confidence with these companies is rock bottom.

 

I've been reading on here that after 2 years with computeach if you haven't passed you have to pay for additional studies, is this true? When i signed on with advent i wasn't told of any timeframe that the course must be completed by, you studied in your own time which did appeal to me as i'm not the fastest leaner and any time frame would of strongly put me off. All the sales rep said was that on averge it would take 2 years to complete nothing about time frames. If this is the case i can't see i can accept computeach.

 

Also I've sent BPF a letter asking for a refund under S75 but they replied saying no as we're gonna find you an alternative provider.

[Fuzzbutt]

My Advent contract gives an end date of Dec 2010 - I just thought to look, but had been told you can take 'as long as you like' by the salesman with as many retakes of the exams as needed to pass.

 

Hmmm...:?

[SajstarHero]

I just rang consumer direct. They have told me to write a letter to barclays outlining why the new provider is not suitable. But it is down to use to prove that they are not suitable. I have been told to write that I want a reply between 10-14 days. Then get back in touch with them.

[10pack]

Hi all,

I'm another advent student thats got finance through BPF. Just like to say thanks for all the advice thats been put on here, been most helpful.

 

I have to say that after everything thats happened with Advent the thought of going with another provider fills me with dread. My confidence with these companies is rock bottom.

 

I've been reading on here that after 2 years with computeach if you haven't passed you have to pay for additional studies, is this true? When i signed on with advent i wasn't told of any timeframe that the course must be completed by, you studied in your own time which did appeal to me as i'm not the fastest leaner and any time frame would of strongly put me off. All the sales rep said was that on averge it would take 2 years to complete nothing about time frames. If this is the case i can't see i can accept computeach.

 

Also I've sent BPF a letter asking for a refund under S75 but they replied saying no as we're gonna find you an alternative provider.

 

I was told by the guy who phoned.. luke that you were paying for 2 years worth of study.. and you could take on as many modules as you wished.. if you could wizz through them you could technically have done every module.. though that would have been something to test it all out.

 

He told me that since I was out of work I could have gone though my first module in about 3 months and been taking my microsoft exam.

 

I bet good money that you will not be anywhere near doing this with computeach.. they will not let you achieve it they will fail you on their internal exams.

It would have been good if the question papers were just multiple choice at least you have a one in three chance of getting a correct answer, but I dont remember many of those, think city and guilds when you had a question and you had to write an answer think about half an A4 page on each question.. that would be reasonable, but problem is the question is so vague you would not in many instances know the answer.

Question I always remember "why do we use an IBM 360 computer" (its a mainframe computer I know this.. thats how long ago I was student)

So no reference in the course work.. it was all books no computer disks, and the answer? well maybe they got it cheap.. maybe even its a industry standard machine.. who would know?.

[Turfs75]

Hi Fuzzbutt,

I was told exactly the same. I guess its another one for 'mis-sold' argument but its gonna be my word against the reps. I'll check my paper work tonight. Where abouts did it state 2 years in your contract.

[10pack]

Hi Fuzzbutt,

I was told exactly the same. I guess its another one for 'mis-sold' argument but its gonna be my word against the reps. I'll check my paper work tonight. Where abouts did it state 2 years in your contract.

 

I have not read about two years.. its what the guy on the phone told me you are paying for two years worth of study and backup no matter how many courses you take.. also if you fail your exam they also covered you for a resit no extra charge.

I thought that in two years I should have been able to get most of what I wanted done specially when he told me I should be ready to take my exam and be ready for a placement by their job centre in about 3 months.. thats what gave me the confidence to go ahead and sign up.

 

He also told me their job centre did not charge companies for placements of advent students and it was something agencies were unhappy about because they got many jobs for students from the repeat inquiries from companies for advent students.

[parand]

hi all,

this is my first post here , but i've been reading all your advices from the first, really made me feel I am not alone....

actually my accont with BFB was on "one year no pay"... and i'm due to pay in may:(

I just called barcleys to ask frozen my account to solve all these, but the entirly rude lady( i think called caroline!) shout at me that we wont do that and you have to accept the new provider,,,, i ask to talk to complain department, she reapeted NO! ( realy rude!) she made me cry over the phone!!!!! I ask her for any kind of help but she refuse to do anythings!!!

 

I think i have to get £5000 loan from somewhere else and pay them in full:(( unless they happily gonna make it double....

this is a nightmare..... i cant beleve its happening:(

[Fuzzbutt]

Hi Fuzzbutt,

I was told exactly the same. I guess its another one for 'mis-sold' argument but its gonna be my word against the reps. I'll check my paper work tonight. Where abouts did it state 2 years in your contract.

 

It's on the blue copy of the Advent contract, Turfs75, 2nd box down where it says 'start date' & 'end date' under course title.