Just thought I'd post a quick note on here for anyone thinking of doing the ICB level I, Level II manual and level II Sage.
I had a rep come to my house and was quoted £1,995 with a £400 discount if I paid for all three courses upfront. Thankfully I didnt fall for it and went with premier training which cost £508 for all three courses.
When the rep later phoned me I told him I was going with Premier training and he told me they were different courses and I wouldnt sit the same exam with Premier training and wouldnt be as qualified! The exams are all set by ICB (not the training provider) and there is no difference at all in the qualification you will receive.
Obviously I cant speak for the standard of training you will receive but both training providers are on the list provided by the ICB. Also Premier training do have 3 late nights a week that you can phone and speak to a tutor that the Home Learning College do not provide.
Home learning college aren't that good and will do anything to blag you into their over-inflated prices, stick with premier and you won't go wrong,.......... except for going down the ICB route but thats another argument.
Home Learning College don't provide anything after the hard core sales pitch from their reps. Study books full of errors, assignments not marked properly, no help from tutors, I could go on for ever. Would not recommend them to anybody, and their prices are way to high for what you don't get.
HI, ive just finished ICb L1 & 2 manual and am now onto the sage course with premier training, if you need any help with anything feel free to contact me. fiona
The views expressed in this post are my own personal (HRA protected) views, and are not representative of any organisation I have any involvement with.
These guys do seem to be taking advantage of honest people trying to make it on their own. Sending a salesman in to a prospect's home, quoting an extortionate price then offering discount to sign up there and then smacks of pressure selling to me, no different to double-glazing! At same time failing to deliver a quality product/service judging by comments made, it's just not on.
How about those of you who have experienced this treatment first hand submit emails to BBC Watchdog (http://www.rogue-traders.com/) - they are more likely to respond to a number of emails about the same "rogue" firm. Be great to get Matt Alwright and his mate in on the motorbike with hidden cameras etc to catch them in the act and put them in the "rogue traders gallery".
I also think you (and others affected) should get straight on to ICB as they allow HLC to prominently advertise themselves, with hyperlink etc, as "Winner: Tutor of the year 2009/10", in the "where to study" section on the ICB web site. They need to hear from those directly affected recounting their own experiences, heresay won't work (libel etc).
I complained to AAT about HLC, AAT have accredited HLC and they even have their logo on there study books. AAT did not want to know, seems like AAT are just in it for the money as well. I mean these home learning providers are supposed to be monitored by AAT, its so upsetting when you have shelled out £2300 for a course and you are now struggling to pay off the debt, and you will get nothing out of it. Words cannot describe how i feel. Just want to warn others not to go with them, will make me feel a bit better if no one else is conned by these people.
I have just read the article and I am totally shocked especially considering the ICB have them on there list of accreditd trainers.
I have spoken to ICB, explained the situation and the lady I spoke to informed the director who's response was "we need to look into this". They have taken my details and the reps information and I will let you know if I get a response back from them. I think if any of you guys who are having a hard time with them phoned it may re-inforce the situation and hopefully something will be done about it. Not only are there prices ridiculous, there giving incorrect information and it sounds like there training leaves a lot to be desired. They shouldnt be allowed to get away with it!!
I think your right Phil and this should go to watchdog however thankfully I havent gone with home learning and would rather spend the time studying than chasing this up (a bit of a cop out I know). I think its an excellent idea though and maybe someone who has experiance on there courses would like to take it further.
Fiona - I have now started level 1 and am sure along the way I will need some support. Thankyou so much for your kind offer.
I'll ditto Fiona's offer, happy to help any fellow students going through the exam mill at mo. Recently passed ICB L1, L2M+C, preparing to take L3M now. Also just finished Sage 50 Accounts workbooks certification, passed Stage 1 and await results of Stages 2 and 3 exams.
I contacted HLC back in July and didn't appreciate the pressure selling, I'd like to think I'm basically a courteous person and take people as i find them, but I ended up being very blunt with the salesman.
I'll be generous and say some of his comments in respect of the money laundering requirements where "factual inexactitudes". Totally unprofessional and frankly shameful.
I know this is slightly off-topic but I ended up using ADL, also approved by the ICB and I can't recommend them highly enough. Their manual and payroll tutor Paul, is an absolute gentleman.
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Tony
Responses are intended as outline only. Formal advice should be sort from your Institutes Technical Department or a suitably qualified Accountant.