New Horizons Training Company

Thenotsowyzewun

Hi I went for a "job interview" today (well, it was advertised as one anyway) which turned out to be a training company trying to get me to train via them. Their name is New Horizons/Erecruitment and they have offered me various qualifications (CCNA, CCNP, MSCE, Network+ and various other cert's in the same vain).
The price for this all will be about £2,000, and it will take 3-6 months for me to train.

Anyway, I'm on here to ask a. whether anyone's had experience with this company and b. whether it sounds like a good price. I don't have exact details of which certifications I'd gain or whathaveyou; although I have applied for a Career Development Loan already via them (mainly because I know I'll get plenty of chance to cancel it if I change my mind), I haven't signed on the dotted line for them yet.

They've also promised me earnings of at least £20,000 when I finish training, I'm currently earning about £15,000 working as an Office Administrator, although I'm actively looking for a better job too. Could someone shed some light on the validity of this guarantees (e.g. they said if I can't get an IT job after training I don't have to repay the CDL).

Thanking you

Mr_Skint_2

Never heard of em,, I would find some info from http://www.computeach.co.uk/

tryingtosave_3

Not sure this is much help, but I know for Microsoft training, you can check out if they are a certified training provider here:
http://www.microsoft.com/uk/learning/training/where-to-go/cpls.mspx
or a gold provider here:
http://www.microsoft.com/uk/learning/training/where-to-go/default.mspx

As for price, hopefully another moneysaver can offer an opinion, but if not, check out the competition's prices. Keep in mind that it won't necessarily be a strict like-for-like comparison, but should be an reasonable indicator.

I would personally be naturally wary of promises like salary guarantees ... plus I'd check out the *exact* situation in which you wouldn't have to repay the loan. Do read the small print, and if someone is making promises, get it in writing.

For careers advice more generally, you might be able to try the Connexions service, or even your local council's service – usually details are in your local library. Local colleges or Learn Direct might also be able to help.

EvilMonkey

I used new horizons many years ago and they delivered an ok course (but to be quite honest, I've never used a trainer who's given a bad one....)

I'd take their promise of a job at the end with a HUGE pinch of salt. I used to run an IT helpdesk and would avoid people with paper only qualifications (IE an MCSE but no other experience). As a whole this type of person came in thinking they knew everything already as they'd got a qualification. I and many of my colleagues tend to recruit keen to learn people in at the bottom rung (at about £18K) and promote within. Above that you do need the certification to back up experience, but experience is the key here....

There used to be courses where the training company would arrange a 2 month work placement at the end, this may be a slightly better option?

E.M.