Access 2 Trade Careers Closing Down

[Dan]

I've heard through the grape vine that Access2 Trade Careers are closing down.

So please do try to get your money back if they have some of yours. And please do NOT book with them if you haven't done so already.

 

[acat]

Thanks for the info


Chris

 

[DurhamSparky]

another fly by night!!! yeehaw!!!!

 

[hman]

I've heard through the grape vine that Access2 Trade Careers are closing down.

So please do try to get your money back if they have some of yours. And please do NOT book with them if you haven't done so already.

They do have some of my money! Unfortunately Barclays have paid them and I now owe on a Barclays loan. I received no notification of insolvency but my freind who's also on the course did by email and contacted me. On checking the website there's a 4 line announcement which is a disgracefully small amount of info when you're still paying out for a large loan.

Up until now they've given me a high quality of training and had a great and very busy training centre so I can't quite see what went wrong. I'll call them tomorrow for some info but I can't imagine I'll have much luck getting through.

Does anyone know what rights we have now as far as claiming anything back goes? I was lucky enough to have completed my 2392 and 2382 recently and providing they sent off for my certificates it's not a complete disaster. My freind wasn't so lucky.

Will the collapse of my training company reflect badly if I tell prospective employers do you think?

 

[Parafuso]

Hi

My first post but only to say your right.

Just got an email to say the courses are off at Access2trade are no longer operating


Darren

 

[DurhamSparky]

belive it or not in the eyes of consumer law the loan company is responsible as much as the training provider for providing the course, ring the loan comany and tell them the goods/services they are financing have not been provided and that you are now refusing to pay them the balance.

BARCLAYS will **** them self! however to make sure you go in there with correct wording etc etc vistit your local Citizens advice or speak to a solicitor who deals with that type of stuff in one of there 1h consultations..! you will also be able to claim back any monies paid!!



if you paid via a credit card or visa debit you also can "charge back the client" as you not recieved goods/services..


steve

have a look at this link!!

Consumer Direct - Bought on credit?

 

[Ossie]

Durham Spark - great advice........ Your loan company has to provide you with training services and you do have some protection with them.

 

[Dan]

They've gone into liquidation and you should have recieved a letter now.

 

[colinhills]

no letter just a small email in my jank box, have faully paid of loan with barcleys but still have to exams to go so now not sure where i stand as i have worked out the 2 course cost 975 pounds. what do i do now. as still unempolyed.

 

[bipin]

I've heard through the grape vine that Access2 Trade Careers are closing down.

So please do try to get your money back if they have some of yours. And please do NOT book with them if you haven't done so already.

Just got an email to say
It is with the very greatest regret that I have to write to you to tell you that having tried our very best we have been unable to secure ongoing funding for the company and accordingly as matters currently stand we are unable to continue to provide your training.

Arrangements are being made for an insolvency practitioner to be appointed and I am sure you will be hearing from him. No doubt you will want to discuss the position with him or an adviser.

Yours sincerely

Access2 Trade Careers

 

[Dan]

The official receiver will contact you next. If there are no assets to sell to cover the costs you will lose out on some funds. Even if they give you funds back, you might not find another course will just give you the exams at a cost. You'll need to seek new providers and then peruse the official receivers. You may be able to go to the meetings to discuss the funds if you're owed some.

Your deal is with them not Barclay's, unless otherwise stated. It's them that has failed to pay Barclay's by the sounds of it so you will need to make sure you prove and point out to the official receiver (a guy or some guys appointed to deal with the debt and company wind-up) to ensure you're expressing what you're owed or have not received and paid for.

That said, it if there is no cash (or assets, and there isn't normally much with training companies unless they own the property, and if they did, they probably would have just re-mortgaged that therefore they probably lease property) available you will NOT get money, that's for sure.

I'm sorry to hear this knowing some of the situations of such cases in the past. I hope you all get sorted out somehow.

 

[DurhamSparky]

Your deal is with them not Barclay's, unless otherwise stated. It's them that has failed to pay Barclay's by the sounds of it so you will need to make sure you prove and point out to the official receiver (a guy or some guys appointed to deal with the debt and company wind-up) to ensure you're expressing what you're owed or have not received and paid for.

sorry to correct you dan,

the customer deal is WITH barclays as much as it is with the company as they agreed to lend the money to pay for the services of access2trade, with barclays agreeing the finance and access2trade not providing the services in full the buck now rests with barclays as they have legally financed a failed product that under consumer law you can rightfully now challange and reclaim your costs, its a similar scenario with when people pay for holidays with credit cards

http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/reports/consumer_credit/oft303.pdf

so if you lost money get on to your loan company even if you have fully paid your loan and just need to sit exams as you still have not recieved your GOODS/SERVICES in full for what were been paid for by a loan

the bank will have to refund you and give you monies owed and then they become a creditor on the long list of names at the insolvency practioners list for access2trade....!!

steve

 

[Ossie]

Dan you are well off the mark mate and your advice is very poor and mis leading to people!!!

You are going to scare the **** out of them- Durham Spark is bang on - Can I just say that you will find it was the rug that was pulled from access and advent training - they were a sucessful training company but the banks have once again let another good company go down the drain with alot of jobs. The company was turning out some very good well trained tradesman, just what this country needed - I think the work the tutors put in was incredible and you only have to look at other people posts to see how much they were enjoying the course and their thoughts on the level of training they were recieving, before people get on their high horse and make further derogetry remarks you should look to the finance sector which is strangling good businesses across this country. I feel for all the lads who were on the course - Stay positive I'm sure you will be fine under the consumer protection acts.

 

[ceejay440]

Having only signed the agreement for this on the 11/01/10 and only done a weeks worth of studying I am seriously ****ed off as I'm sure everyone else is. To maybe help paint a slightly brighter picture for those of you with a Barclays credit agreement, I have taken legal advice and been told the agreement is covered under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 which places both the lender and the supplier liable. I have phoned Barclays to try and get a refund due to the ink not yet being dry on my agreement - failed on that count but they idependently stated they would try and seek an alternative training provider. The legal adviser informed me they should either do this or if unavailable or not practicable to use the alternative should refund the cash. Keep your fingers crossed everyone and if you see the slime ball that signed me up 17 days ago without telling me the company were struggling, please poke his eyes out!!!!! Chris

 

[socksallie]

If you have your loan through Clydesdale Financial Services trading as Barclays partners, i have just called them on behalf of my boyfriend who is also doing a course with Acess 2 Trade Careers, they advised that they are currently looking for another company to take over the training courses. This is only if you have taken a loan out with them. If you paid outright, you need to go through the insolvency practioner. We did go into Barclays who wouldnt help us. Call up the bank where you are paying your Direct Debit from, they will tell you who the loan is with they will also give you your account number (which i think is the Direct Debit referenct number) . If it is Clydesdale the contact number for them is 0844 811 9000 if you wanted to confirm this with them.

Hope this helps

Katie

 

[ceejay440]

Citizens Advice Bureau have advised I make an immediate claim to Barclays and state you can request complete cancellation or accept an alternative provider and if result not forthcoming complain to Financial Ombudsman Service. I'm sure many other training providers will be able to sort out the relevant training needs but all will want paying for their service.

 

[Flo]

I worked for Access2 (well technically still work for as the company is in insolvency) and I am absolutly gutted, not just for me but also for the students. It was a brilliant company to work for and I am just so angry that Barclays Partner Finance has pulled the plug. How very big of them to say that they will find another training company to provide the service when it is their fault the company is in trouble! Ossie is spot on, Access 2 Trade Careers was a very successful company and the forecast for 2010 was looking very promising with new courses being planned, such as renewable energy and construction courses. From what I have heard Barclays decided to stop funding the courses leaving the company with no income until another source of funding can be found. This has been a huge shock as it has all happened in a matter of weeks. I think they are still looking for funding or a buyer for the company although I wont know anything until I hear from the insolvency practitioner. I really hope everyone can get their money back or can get training elsewhere.

 

[Spudnik]

Thanks for all the input so far.

However, no one has all the EXACT info as to why etc (apart from Flo), so can we keep it calm.

People can only act on the information they have either been given or found out from other sources, however reliable they are.

 

[Flo]

The only thing we can do at the moment is to wait for contact from the insolvency practitioners. It is only early days, I was only told yesterday. Best of luck everyone.

 

[Dan]

sorry to correct you dan,

the customer deal is WITH barclays as much as it is with the company as they agreed to lend the money to pay for the services of access2trade, with barclays agreeing the finance and access2trade not providing the services in full the buck now rests with barclays as they have legally financed a failed product that under consumer law you can rightfully now challange and reclaim your costs, its a similar scenario with when people pay for holidays with credit cards

http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/reports/consumer_credit/oft303.pdf

so if you lost money get on to your loan company even if you have fully paid your loan and just need to sit exams as you still have not recieved your GOODS/SERVICES in full for what were been paid for by a loan

the bank will have to refund you and give you monies owed and then they become a creditor on the long list of names at the insolvency practioners list for access2trade....!!

steve

Dan you are well off the mark mate and your advice is very poor and mis leading to people!!!

You are going to scare the **** out of them- Durham Spark is bang on - Can I just say that you will find it was the rug that was pulled from access and advent training - they were a sucessful training company but the banks have once again let another good company go down the drain with alot of jobs. The company was turning out some very good well trained tradesman, just what this country needed - I think the work the tutors put in was incredible and you only have to look at other people posts to see how much they were enjoying the course and their thoughts on the level of training they were recieving, before people get on their high horse and make further derogetry remarks you should look to the finance sector which is strangling good businesses across this country. I feel for all the lads who were on the course - Stay positive I'm sure you will be fine under the consumer protection acts.

Righte. Apologies about that then (but I don't think the financial sector comments were a good analogy!). So if the training was provided via barclay's perhaps they can transfer it to another training centre?

Okay,

It's just been on the news that advent training and access 2 trade careers has ceased trading and Barclay's issued a statements saying they will help people who have taken out the loans with them to get on other training courses.

So it looks like you're okay in this case if you took out the loan via barclay's. Anybody paying for training directly with the company may need to seek advice from a professional or the citizens advice.

 

[pete3]

I have just watched a piece on BBC Midlkands Today about Kidderminster/ Hagley based company Advent which they said was an IT training companythat has gone into administration, they showed the outside of the offices where i took my enrolment form for Access so i presume they must be part of Advent.

No mention was made about plumbing / electrician training.

I guess it will be on tv again later.

 

[dizz31]

hi, i started with access to careers around a year ago but due to my son being ill have never been able to get to one of the training centres so at current have paid £5500 for some books and the lovely cardboard box they came in .... great i also paid for the training direct to the careers centre so cannot do anything it would seem, i have read some of the advice on here which is really good, i was just wondering if any one is in a similar position to me and wondered what the next steps would be, there just doesnt seem to be anywhere to contact or anybody to speak to. Please Help

 

[Jurasic Spark]

Up until 4.30 yesterday afternoon I was teaching electrical students at Access2...
Told to finish the class and was summoned to a centre meeting. Then the bad news.... the company is insolvent, Barclays have withdrew funding. Now the really sick thing is we've just worked the month of Jan' and we now have to get in line and hope the reciever will give us a few coppers!!!!!
Don't think it will be enough to pay off christmas debts

To add insult to injury, we all recieved an email after christmas telling us £35M turn over and a full order book. And yes other comments are correct, the training was first class and and I am confident success rates in all quals were much higher than FE colleges.

There are no winners in this. I am gutted for the students and staff alike.

Anyone know of Electrical Tutors jobs anywhere in the West Midlands???

 

[doddy]

hi dizz31. im in a similar situation. i started the course about a year year ago. i have been to 2 practical weeks and was about to book my 3rd week. i have also paid in fully directly to them. i have no i know idea as where to start.

 

[albrights]

This is a bit of nightmare to say the least. Im about half thru my full electrical course at the moment and paid on finance like a few others. Just hoping I can get some of the money back, but sounds like well have to wait and see. Also wondering how im going to finish my training and if anyone else will accept what ive done so far. Called a few different places, not much cop most them – just tried to sell me the whole thing again. Called OCLI though, thanks for the tip Sammy. They said they’d take a look at what id done and try and let me complete just what I have left to do so maybe that could be go-er. If anyone gets any more news on the situation before insolvency lot then itd be good to know.

 

[WayneL]

Having only signed the agreement for this on the 11/01/10 and only done a weeks worth of studying I am seriously ****ed off as I'm sure everyone else is.

This kind of thing really gets my back up!!

It's not like the 'Directors' of 'Access 2 Trade' and their accountants went into work on Monday and said

to each other "Hey, you know what, we've run out of money, we'll have to shut down"


They've known this was coming for a while and yet they were still signing people up in January!!! -

I's a disgrace and they should face criminal charges for deception - offering something that they knew

they wouldn't be able to deliver.

I don't know much about big business and limited companies, but I also find it suspicious that they

changed a load of their directors in November last year, and then changed the name of the limited

company in December - from 'Anglo Capital Ltd' to 'Access 2 Carreers Ltd'

Smells a bit to me


I hope you all succeed in getting your money back and can complete your training elsewhere

 

[colinhills]

just read on bbc news that barcleys will sort out a new training course for people, but dose anyone now what number you need to call for the information.

 

[dizz31]

Hi doddy, whats worrying i suppose is the obvious all that money paid out and theres nothing you can do about it, also no one to speak to or anything, i havent even recieved a letter or email lke some people have, i was actually ringing to book a week course you can imagine my shock! does anybody have any ideas on how long the insolvency take to sort this mess out?

 

[colinhills]

hi mate have a check in your junk box for the email. found mine in there, it takes a while to sort out and find out all the names, if you think they are also it trainners and have about 6000 studants in the perant company and then there must be about the same on the electricnas and then the plumbers so about 20000 all together me thinks.

 

[doddy]

i know. noone to speak at all and the email was very short and not saying much at all. i just want this mess sorted out asap. i can imagine the shock you had. i had a shock reading the email this morning and im still in shock now. im just worrying about what im going to do now

 

[rookeryu67]

I am also a student, thank you all for your advice and info, somehow has relieved me to know there may be some light at the end of the tunnel, the info from access2 is absolutely pathetic. I have dug out my loan paperwork, the Barclays Partner Finance customer service number is 0844 811 9000 My mother is a Union rep, and is seeking legal advice from that avenue for me. If I hear any more will post back here. A piece of advice that I keep getting is that you should contact your MP. Good luck people!

 

[Ossie]

My thoughts are do you think the Directors considering they have more than 10,000 students and a great Business wanted this shut down, they also had 200 employees and had spent years building it. Why don't you blame the banks for what they have done as it's them that have caused this mess and the recession - they have pulled the plug on the finance and murderd Businesses in this country just for their fat cat Bonuses - makes me sick..... You think the government would step in - think what this Business was doing for the work force of the country - they were improving the standards across the trade industry....... As I said I'm sorry for everyone stuck in this mess.

 

[WayneL]

I'm not blaming the directors for this - nor saying that they wanted it to happen.

What I am saying is that they must have known it was coming - yet they continued to sign up

un-suspecting people who just wanted to better themselves.

The exact same thing happened when Excel went bust - they were still booking flights and holidays the day before the announcement - it sucks.....and something should be done about it!!!!

 

[saveloy]

I'm not blaming the directors for this - nor saying that they wanted it to happen.

What I am saying is that they must have known it was coming - yet they continued to sign up

un-suspecting people who just wanted to better themselves.

The exact same thing happened when Excel went bust - they were still booking flights and holidays the day before the announcement - it sucks.....and something should be done about it!!!!

From a business perspective the directors only option would probably have been to try and trade their way out of the situation. Unfortunatley for those who have lost out, the worst course of action that the directors could have taken, would have been to announce solvency problems. This would have destroyed any possible chance, however slim, of recovery. I doubt that there was any deception intended, it's just business. Not fair at all on those who have lost money, but that "GREAT" Britain for you.

 

[Martin Gauci]

Spoke to Barclays this morning and have said that they are looking for a new training provider to carry on the course so those with a loan agreement dont panic. All payments and direct debits have been suspended until further notice where a letter will be sent out to those concerned. I asked what if I wasn't happy with the new provider and they said i'll have to call back to discuss when that happens. In the meantime there's not much more you can do until you hear from Barclays so i wouldn't bother trying to contact A2T because they wont answer. For those who have already paid outright i'm not sure what your position is in regards to trying to get any money back. I wouldn't be hopeful however I'm sure if there is a new provider they may honour the rest of the course for you to take as part of any agreement with Barclays, but dont quote me. The best and safest option would be for the courses to be converted over to a government scheme and allow Barclays to provide the funding for those that need it but it would mean taking a lot longer to complete. The pros would be that it would be trustworthy, closer to home and allow studying to be done at evening college which in my experience makes you more disciplined to study.
Hope this info has helped.

 

[colinhills]

also spoken to barclays this morning and have been told the same thing. but they also said that they will only provide one trainning group and that is what you must go with. have also been told to email customer relations at barclays partner finance.com and inform them as i have payed of my loan. they will be sending out letters next week to everyone that loans are with them.

add on connaught are offering the courses and have training centers all over the country. so take a look and see if a center is near you then ask barclays for then to continue there training. one center is in a 40 mins ddrive on west london so great for me. hope this helps. but up to barclays in the end.

 

[SparkMonkey]

Still don’t quite understand how its come to this. I didn’t pay on finance, was paying on instlaments on my card so don’t think ive got it as bad as some of you. Had only just started the course but so not too out of pocket hopefully. Nearly went with olci in Birmingham before I started with access so tempted to try agaion with them, liked the place when I had a look around. Not giving up that’s for sure!

 

[Shaggy]

I too received the same email on Wednesday, I only read it on Thursday and have been trying to contact someone all morning, I even spoke to the head office of Anglo Capital Limited, not that they was willing to say much, the person I spoke to claimed to have no knowledge of the situation, but said they would look into it and get back to me, so I don't have much hope.

I was hoping someone my have more luck than me contacting someone, if so can you please post any number or email address you have success on.

I paid the course in full out of my own pocket last summer when I started with redundancy money I received when been laid off from my last job so obviously like many others I am very unhappy, you would think they would at least have the decency to come up with some kind of response team to deal with the questions I'm sure all students of the centre must have right now.

For what its worth the training I received there was top notch I was just moving on to the final phase of the 4 stage course so at least got my 17th edition.

I was hoping also that someone may start a facebook group for ex-students to share information on any progress made in gaining information or refunds.

 

[KieranS]

Saw my email this morning. Pretty gutted but I had only been signed up for 3 months so not as bad as some on here. Is anyone else thinking of getting their money back and not letting Barclays find an alternative? If I remember correctly Acess2Trade was a lot more expensive than many courses. I think I may look for a cheaper one myself rather than still pay £6000 for an inferior course.

 

[Shaggy]

I just read a message on there website that states that Barclays customers will be offered to complete there training with other companies, and that anyone who paid direct before 14th Jan will be refunded.

What I want to know is where me and others like me stand

I paid in full last summer when I started the course, I never took out a bank loan or any type of finance agreement, the money was direct from my bank account. I'm guessing this puts me in the you got screwed category by the sound of things, everyone one else can contact the bank and there is a fund aside to continue the course.

I would love to know who I can contact and if there is a fund aside for me to complete my course, or just a single person I can contact who can explain where I stand even if it is to break the bad news to me that I have no grounds to claim my money back or even part of my money back or continue the course elsewhere.

the lack of communication and information for people in my situation is ****ing me off more than the financial loss occurred. Its sick that I have found out more from this forum topic than I have from Access2

 

[ceejay440]

Saw my email this morning. Pretty gutted but I had only been signed up for 3 months so not as bad as some on here. Is anyone else thinking of getting their money back and not letting Barclays find an alternative? If I remember correctly Acess2Trade was a lot more expensive than many courses. I think I may look for a cheaper one myself rather than still pay £6000 for an inferior course.

Only been signed up since 11th Jan '10 so not even made one payment yet. I have cancelled the direct debit following legal advice and written to Barclays informing of this and referring to S75 of the CCA which places them jointly liable. Sect 10.1.1 of the Access2T contract states the contract will be terminated if they go into liquidation (strange clause so maybe they were planning this) so if the contract is terminated I see no reason to keep paying. Obviously i am not out of pocket and not part way through training so not in the position where I would be looking for Barclays to assist with continuation training. Had a pleasant chat with Steve Baines from Newcareerskills who will offer similar training to access at a similar price but without the same finance deal. Thinking about it but will let the dust settle first. He aslo mentioned that the Skills Centre went bust last year so not sure how you pick one thats a guaranteed safe bet - I guess its the method of payment that needs careful selection to cater for situations such as this.

 

[rookeryu67]

It seems most likely that Access2 overreached themselves, gambling with our money. Their constant expansion on my visits there was reassuring to me considering the recession, now I feel like a complete fool. I agree the training was very good, and, yeah, the staff were great. It just the ******s up top who ruin everything in this country, yet I have a funny feeling they are sat on a beach laughing

 

[doddy]

i would like to know if i will get refunded as i paid in full this time last year. why does the access website say nothing about the access students it just only says about the advent students and why didnt they tell us earlier as they know before christmas.

 

[Hedgehog]

Hi there,

I am the 'Steve from New Career Skills' referred to by CeeJay in his post earlier.

We have been inundated by students from Access2 and are keen to help in any way we can, including recognising any previously completed training with them.

The important thing for any of you affected by this is to get advice (CAB/solicitor) and to make sure you are 'in the queue' if the receivers are able to pay out anything from the comapny assets.

Some students have been telling me that they have simply stopped their payments - if you do, make sure you also write to the loan company explaining why you have stopped (ie you are not receiving the services the agreement was made for) so that you don't get hit for any admin/non-payment charges...

If we can help in any way, feel free to contact me.

 

[rookeryu67]

Might I suggest it may be worth your company contacting Barclays Loan Partner Services Hedgehog, someone might as well get something out of this, why not you?!

 

[ex employee]

Hi Everyone

I worked for Access2 trade on the paperwork side for the students , just wanted to comment that we are just as shocked as all the students that this has happened and we had no idea what was going on and we told everything was postive, we havent been paid and got the same rubbish letter with no explanation, but in agreement that i bet the big bosses are on a beach somewhere , i hope all the students get there money back and i know all the staff i worked with very much cared for the welfare of the students that put there hard earned cash into trying to better themselves, heres hoping we all get are money

 

[jjirmp]

I was about to start week 3 with access to trade, the end of Feb and found out last night about the closure. The bank have been very helpful and are trying to move my course to another company, phew !!! The problem I have now is the booking agent for the travel lodge where I had booked to stay at the end of next month, they won't transfer my booking to another hotel or alternative date. They are most unhelpful and put the phone down on me when I phone to get help, where's customer sevice gone? Any advice????

 

[ex employee]

did u book direct with the travel lodge ?

 

[DurhamSparky]

Saw my email this morning. Pretty gutted but I had only been signed up for 3 months so not as bad as some on here. Is anyone else thinking of getting their money back and not letting Barclays find an alternative? If I remember correctly Acess2Trade was a lot more expensive than many courses. I think I may look for a cheaper one myself rather than still pay £6000 for an inferior course.

my qualification route!!

2382 17th edititon = £489
2391 Testing = £700
NVQ3 2356 = £900
PAT 2377 = £250
BTEC LEVEL 3 Diploma in electrical installation = £400

working for free with a housing association when on leave from teh royal navy doing reactive and Periodics plus minor installs also helped!!!

all paid for seperatly with local company's to me!!

 

[robbie-dixon]

in a similar situation to dizz and doddy. paid for the whole lot up front, and only been to a couple of weeks proper training so far. sounds like those with barcleys might get something back or other training but im just left with a pile of books and not much else. just hoping the students arent too far down the pecking order when it comes to getting some money back from the administrators. mate of mine is training with olci in birmingham, he started before me and wish id gone with them as well now, had good reports so might see if they’ll let me carry on from where i am, think someone else on here has spoken them and got promising response. anyone have any advice on what to do next if you paid up front? or is it just wait and see (and worry!)