home learning courses....a rip off?

[NightHowl]

very expensive...VERY. i phoned up about one and have had a visit from them today. but the price...OMG! ideal for me in that i could do it from home but ive been told not to bother. ive been told these kind of courses are a complete rip off tbh. not sure if this is the right topic to put it under but still.

I was thinking of doing one of these courses for classroom assistant! You are right they are expensive! Sorry to be no help other than that!

I will be watching with interest!

I would say that if the course leads to a recognised qualification (as opposed to some qualification concocted by the training provider that is of little value generally) then it's worth looking at. You can get Career Development Loans for doing this type of thing - it's a personal loan, but with a low interest rate and you don't have to pay anything back until after the course has finished (iirc). I did some Microsoft qualifications in that way.

i can afford the course. im just not sure if i want to spend the money iyswim? its manual bookkeeping or pretty much the same with the sage program (which i worked on in my previous job). most of the jobs im looking at want sage experience...i can do it but ive never been formally trained and would like to understand a lot more. with the sage, obviously its more expensive but the program is mine to keep. ive looked up the same at my local college and i will still have to pay hundreds, with the added hassle of travel etc. (and i admit, im very shy and terrified of going into a room of strangers in a place i dont know). plus i always seem to be late for everything as something always comes along to get in my way.

i dont know...the thought of having a few letters after my name is appealing. i could even work from home when i have that qualification so im told...lol. obviously they are going to tell me anything to sell me the course. very wary of being conned put it that way.

Do other training providers offer the same course? Perhaps you could compare prices between them. Or get in touch with the relevant professional body and ask their advice - maybe they have a list of approved training providers?