Unfortunately there seems to be an almost unlimited supply of morally dubious companies like this that prey on people's desires to get "up the ladder".

Having studied IT for 5 years at university I left without getting an IT job for 4 years. I eventually got one but obviously it took me a while, so for these companies to be suggesting that you're guaranteed a job with far less study is completely ludicrous. What I can say is that the courses these companies provide range from the very basic, to the far too hard for the inexperienced.

Lastly, I'd say that these companies charge several times more than an open university or college access course would, and at least there you'd have access to tutors.

If you're really thinking of going this way instead of College or Uni part time courses, then you should try googling a bit. Quite often you can find the course materials and subject matter freely available online, and you just have to pay for the exams. This can end up saving you hundreds if not thousands of pounds, and you're not subject to some dodgy credit agreement at the end of it.

HI,

I have a similar problem, but with a different company. I was sold an IT course by Techworks (Techworks UK / JRG Partners). I agreed to purchase MCSA/MCSE package as a novice in IT, after they assured me that there is no experience needed to pass MCSA and MCSE exams. I decided to go for it, as they promised to find me a job after one year, but first I would have to pass those exams. After some time, when the materials turned out to be very difficult I did some research through different websites, including Microsoft, and I found that without hands-on experience it is highly unlikely to pass the exams and that working in industry for at least 6-12 months is highly recommended.

When I realised that information I was given wasn’t true I decided to fight for a refund and I’m still in the middle of dispute with them. I maintain I was mis-sold.

Please advise.

'

You can find more on: http://avoidtechworksuk.wordpress.com/

Hi, My boyfriend signed up to an IT course with computeach 2 years ago. He paid £1,600 upfront for it and then when getting the syllabus he did not feel the 'salesman' had completely told him the ins and outs of what was required and what was going to be the actual final achievement at the end and also he was worried about them fnding him a job because they kept fobbing him off saying it was gauranteed that he would get a job. As soon as he handed over the money for the course they seemed to change their tune and he could not get hold of people when he rang in, no-one returned his calls and he wanted to cancel the course as he was then told that 'yes' they would find him a job but that it would be up North and not in London where they originally promised as that is where he lives!!!. He was livid and demanded his money back, eventually someone agreed to meet him in a cafe in London (neutral place, one which my b/friend requested). My b/friend went along to the meeting with his dictaphone and taped the whole meeting and stated that what computeach had sold him was a 'product' and that he was unhappy with the 'product' and wanted a full re-fund.

I would suggest to you that you keep in mind that what they sold you was a 'product' and if it is still within say 30 days of you handing over your money then you should get them to meet you in a neutral place and take along a dictaphone as they won;t expect that one and say you have had legal advice and that you want a full refund as you bought a 'product' that you are unhappy with.....good luck!

Hi eveyone,

My problem is that in November last year i was sold an IT course with computeach from a "salesman" who had arranged to come to my house as i was interested in a job in IT.Basically the course is a study in your own time deal and i signed a contract with them using Barclays as a third party for finance.The cost of the course is almost £6000.If this is paid in full before 12 months no interest will be charged,however,if it is not it goes onto a ludicrous interest charge and i will end up paying back almost double.The only reason i signed for the course was because this employee of computeach,Melvin Smith,said i was guaranteed a job in IT within 6 months on at least £4k more than my present job and so obviously paying this back would not be a problem.Now i can see that i have been a bit naive but i trusted this man and of course there is no guaranteed job.I emailed computeach yesterday as i have become increasingly worried about it and their response was in the terms and conditions it states "no guarantee of employment".They were not interested in what i was promised by their employee and it is basically tough luck.Obviously now i am going to have trouble paying for it come November,if i can afford it at all.I am now on a shorter working week due to the financial crisis so money is tight anyway.

Is there anything i can do about this or am i stuck with this?