Advice needed - Opportunity Network

kate1976

My son (18) was approached by someone outside the job centre and is off to an 'induction' thing on Monday afternoon with these http://www.opportunitynet.org/index.html

I just don't want him to get a loan and then not have official qualifications, so anyone used/hear of Opportunity Network?

Jobseeeker

well it does look like a scam and the website does not look pro.

However, it does mention the award body they use is Edexcel, who are genuine, and 6 universities who provide the degree. So I guess the easiest way would be to phone up one of those institutions

kate1976

Thanks for that, I will phone them up and see what they say.

colino

Run away. Any company that accidentally leaves out a digit in their company number on their website is a bit suspect. It leads you to an old established (I'd guess unconnected) business. Slightly more digging says this is a new name for a con pyramid business that has been floating around for years.

kate1976

Thank you, I'm glad I'm not alone thinking it looks dodgy!

AP007

kate1976 wrote: »

My son (18) was approached by someone outside the job centre and is off to an 'induction' thing on Monday afternoon with these http://www.opportunitynet.org/index.html

I just don't want him to get a loan and then not have official qualifications, so anyone used/hear of Opportunity Network?

'OUTSIDE'??? Really? Why were they not inside???

kate1976

AP007 wrote: »

'OUTSIDE'??? Really? Why were they not inside???

That's what I said! Anyway he's not going anywhere near them now so all's good

AP007

kate1976 wrote: »

That's what I said! Anyway he's not going anywhere near them now so all's good

IF they were for real they would be working with the job centre not outside it

mrpitiful

i've come across them a few times professionally and been told they approached people in manchester city centre and outside job centres.
they get people to access funding for course through Student Finance England (maintenance grants/loans, tuition fee loans) and register them on HND/HNC courses with a college called the London School of Business of Finance.
i've done some digging around and their website says the offer courses accredited by Edexcel and degree level course accredited by one of the smaller London universities.
my biggest concern is that people who have no qualifications are being tempted with the offer of degree-level education and qualifications. if that's the case, the open university is the better option- it was created specifically to support people with few or no qualifications. the problem with opportunity network is that they are not offering additional support...