What is the deal with Vision2learn?

Mess_2

Has anyone heard of these company? They claiming that their online course are FREE but I was wondering if anyone has actually done one of their courses and if there is any catches.

I am very tempted to do one, it can't hurt to learn something new, especially if its free as they say.

olgadapolga

I did one of their courses on Web design and yes, it was absolutely free, apart from resources such as internet access.

I signed up for another course and right at the point of starting it was told that there was no funding available so the course couldn't go ahead. But again, it was going to be free.

Oldernotwiser

If you are looking at studying an NVQ level 2 course than this will be free if you don't already have a qualification at this level and you will be asked about this when you enrol. If you are eligible then this would also apply if you were doing the same kind of course at your local college as this is a government initiative.

Mess_2

Thank you for your reply. I have just tried to signed for one of the courses but it doesn't cover my area so I won't be able to take advantage of it.
Do you know of any other websites that offer free courses?

elisebutt65

The OU has a few free courses that you just study when you like - I don't think you get any qualifications but good if you want to learn about something.

Mess_2

Great I will try that out. Thanks

ZZaffy

There are other threads about Vision2learn on this website, and most of the posts are dissatisfied comments. Vision2learn contacted me by email, offering a free IT course. I said I was interested and they strung me along for a bit and then told me the course was not on offer in my area. Odd, because this course was entirely on-line. They sent me more emails offering me more free IT courses. Finally, I responded again saying I would like to take the course but this time they told me the course was full and did I want to take a course on how to loose weight? I declined, I'm only seven and a half stone. They sent me more emails, did I want to take a free on-line IT course? I emailed them saying 'yes' once again, and this time they sent me a form, it was pages and pages long. I filled it in and signed it several times. They sent it back saying I had omitted one signature. I signed it and sent it back. Then a few days later they left a message on the answer phone would I ring them back? I did, and had a very long conversation with them, they asked questions that I had already answered on the form and this time they also asked for my National Insurance Number. Now they had all my personal information. They then warned me that if I did not finish the course I would have to pay a penalty of around a couple of hundred pounds. I said this was okay because I had every intention of finishing the course. I was told my on-line tutor would be contacting me soon. Great, I thought. But today I received an email saying the IT course was over subscribed and did I want to take an Equality and Diversity course instead? I have sent them a stinking email and have also been in contact with The Skills Funding Agency, a government body which subsidises learning. They are looking into my query.

LittleVoice

ZZaffy wrote: »

There are other threads about Vision2learn on this website, and most of the posts are dissatisfied comments. Vision2learn contacted me by email, offering a free IT course. I said I was interested and they strung me along for a bit and then told me the course was not on offer in my area. Odd, because this course was entirely on-line. But you live in an area and it is the area where you live which gets funding (or not). The provision is also linked to an actual college - though I'm not convinced the "tutors" are actually based at the named college. They sent me more emails offering me more free IT courses. Finally, I responded again saying I would like to take the course but this time they told me the course was full and did I want to take a course on how to loose weight? I declined, I'm only seven and a half stone. They sent me more emails, did I want to take a free on-line IT course? I emailed them saying 'yes' once again, and this time they sent me a form, it was pages and pages long. I filled it in and signed it several times. They sent it back saying I had omitted one signature. I signed it and sent it back. Then a few days later they left a message on the answer phone would I ring them back? I did, and had a very long conversation with them, they asked questions that I had already answered on the form and this time they also asked for my National Insurance Number. Think you should have put that on one of the forms! Now they had all my personal information. They then warned me that if I did not finish the course I would have to pay a penalty of around a couple of hundred pounds. I said this was okay because I had every intention of finishing the course. I was told my on-line tutor would be contacting me soon. Great, I thought. But today I received an email saying the IT course was over subscribed and did I want to take an Equality and Diversity course instead? I have sent them a stinking email and have also been in contact with The Skills Funding Agency, a government body which subsidises learning. They are looking into my query.

The repeated email invitations are because they keep your details in order to contact you when funding becomes available. I should think available funding gets used up quickly which is why you have had the unfortunate experience with them.

I've completed two courses with them and before that didn't complete two - the first which was a long time ago because the tutor didn't respond to emails. I did find the processing and tutor responsiveness improved over the time that I have had dealings with them.

ZZaffy

I don't remember seeing the NI question, but if you say so.
Maybe you can explain this?
On the 17th February I had an email saying ' Great news you have successfully completed ... we will assign you to a college in the next few days'. I also had a long telephone conversation confirming my place.
Today, 24th February I received an email saying 'Demand for this course is exceptionally high and unfortunately all places are filled. When I originally applied months ago, I was told there were no IT courses in my area. However, this time I was accepted for enrolment at Somerset College, I live the south east not the south west.
This sort of enticing followed by excuses has been going on for two years now. It has left me feeling uncomfortable. You managed to get a lot further than I and many others. Try looking on ' Page 4 Free Courses' on this website.

LittleVoice

ZZaffy wrote: »

I don't remember seeing the NI question, but if you say so.
Maybe you can explain this?
On the 17th February I had an email saying ' Great news you have successfully completed ... we will assign you to a college in the next few days'. I also had a long telephone conversation confirming my place.
Today, 24th February I received an email saying 'Demand for this course is exceptionally high and unfortunately all places are filled. When I originally applied months ago, I was told there were no IT courses in my area. However, this time I was accepted for enrolment at Somerset College, I live the south east not the south west.
This sort of enticing followed by excuses has been going on for two years now. It has left me feeling uncomfortable. You managed to get a lot further than I and many others. Try looking on ' Page 4 Free Courses' on this website.

No, I can't explain it! I'm not a spokesperson for V2L.

I think it was Somerset College where I was formally studying - and I'm resident in London. In fact, I also seem to recall being switched from one college to another before final certification - but my tutor remained the same (which is why I think the "tutors" are not necessarily based at the geographical location of the college).

david69_2

I had an it course lined up but don't have microsoft office I have open office but they said i couldn't use that so i didnt bother