OLCI in Administration ???

[Drexyn]

I just received a letter today from a company called ERR, Engineering Real Results. They state that they are the administrators of OLCI and have accepted a transfer of my contract with them and i'm now bound to their terms and conditions.

I know nothing about this company as yet so i'm concerned about the remaining parts of my training i still have to complete as they have also made a point that i will be hearing from their finance department concerning future payments for my training. I paid OLCI in full so now this is very concerning.

Anyone spoken to these people or know what the script is?

Cheers

Trev

 

[Star the car]

Hello mate I am in the same boat as you. I have never even received a letter about the take over. I tried to book a test and they said they had been taken over. I have since then not been able to contact olci on the phone or by e mail to jonathon parish. Do you know what number I contact please mate and have you had any luck with contacting them of late?

 

[Robowen]

alright lads, all of us who have been with olci have basically just been dropped and have just lost our money. We need to find out if there is anyway we can get our assignments back so we can go to another provider and try and finish the theory units off with them. also we need to try and get any of our city and guilds qualification certificates back from olci. or see what can be down about the fact that we completed the units and never got our work marked. i have got units 307 308 and 309 to complete. i have just wrote to 2 other providers to see if i could complete these units with them. just awaiting reply.
Dont know what else to do. any info would be good or any other option available to us would be good to hear.

 

[marcingol]

Hi everybody. Im also concerned about entire situation. Does anybody know direct number to Livingston centre? I managed to speak with somebody from ERR last week and she told me there will be no changes for me but booked my session in Livingstone and no confirmation at all. Now when calling ERR only machine is talking. If anybody know what is going out please update here.

 

[OliOldfield83]

I had the same letter and then was told my training center wouldn't be in Bristol and I know have to travel to Southampton to complete the practical sessions. I was also told that I need to retake most of the theory due to them saying OLCI's theory training was poor!

 

[Robowen]

What electrical course were you doing ? i spoke to a training provider in nottingham and they said that because i have been working in the elctrical industry for the past 3 years icould do an entry exam and if i pass go straight onto the level 3 2365 course which i could study from home and go up for assessments when i needed to. i would still have to do my nvq and am2 after but it looks like its the best option for me so far.
any news on olci and any chance of getting some work back or some money back from the barstewards?

 

[OliOldfield83]

What electrical course were you doing ? i spoke to a training provider in nottingham and they said that because i have been working in the elctrical industry for the past 3 years icould do an entry exam and if i pass go straight onto the level 3 2365 course which i could study from home and go up for assessments when i needed to. i would still have to do my nvq and am2 after but it looks like its the best option for me so far.
any news on olci and any chance of getting some work back or some money back from the barstewards?

I was doing the Domestic Installer Course with OLCI and now doing the City and Guilds equivalent with ERR. I always had a weird feeling about OLCI and feel like I've been sold down the river and just don't know if the same will happen with ERR, will just have to wait and see i guess and crack on with the Theory. I'm hoping to get my first practical done in December as this is the only time i can get off from work. Hopefully they will run a practical session on December!

 

[marcingol]

Has anybody managed to contact this ERR this week? I got all times machine talking and no replies to my emails:-(

 

[OliOldfield83]

I've had two e-mail this week but that's only after several e-mails to them trying to get hold of them. Dodesn;t fill you with much confidence when they don't answer the phone. Hate it!

 

[marcingol]

I've had two e-mail this week but that's only after several e-mails to them trying to get hold of them. Dodesn;t fill you with much confidence when they don't answer the phone. Hate it!

What the emails said? I had no reply to my emails at all. Worst is I have already paid for my course. Cant afford to spend another few thousands to start new one.

 

[OliOldfield83]

Well ive started mine again, and I have been told that my course fees from OLCI will cover the new course. I wanted to know when I can get access to the online teaching thing, it wont let me log on. Also about the virtual reality CD which i can't use as don't have access to a PC only a Mac. I was also trying to find out if my previous exams that I passed will actually be taken into consideration. Every phone number i try for ERR just talks about the closure of OLCI. Do they not have a number for existing students? Or just normal enquiries?

 

[marcingol]

Exactly. Not good at all. I booked my second session in Livingstone with OLCI and I cannot confirm anything. I may travel there for nothing. It is so annoying. Last week I called ERR and at least could speak to somebody. But to be 100 percent sure I wanted confirm this week. Unable to do so. Im so angry about situation.

 

[OliOldfield83]

The training centre that i was using in Bristol has been closed so I have to travel to Southampton from Bristol to complete my practical sessions. I've had to apply to get money back for the travel expenses. Doubt i'll get anything. It's so frustrating not speaking to anyone and getting any kind of decent response. Just feel like this company is going to go bust too!!

 

[Drexyn]

Ok folks, i have the number here for contacting ERR - 0844 264 2134.

I cannot do much regarding the course just now as i have just had a family member pass away this week and i'm dealing with things from that.

Once you have some concrete information please post on here as i'm interested in what is going on. I got another welcome pack yesterday and had a brief look at it, from what i can make out it's like they want us to provide copies of our training records to them so they can look over them.

I was under the impression that your course tutors were all instructed to provide that information on each students behalf. I cannot go on any wild goose chases with these guys just now as i just have too much to deal with over the next couple of weeks.

Once things settle down i will be checking things out further. In the meantime keep on at them and get as much information in writing as possible from them and keep getting confirmed assurances because without that we have nothing.

Be back on soon.

 

[Drexyn]

Marcingol, the number you need for the office in Livingston is here - 01506 435030.

Douglas is the man to speak to, he should know what we have to do and is a great help.

Hope this helps mate.

 

[trev]

It seems to me like you guys are chasing rainbows with this lot, I really hope for your sakes that I'm wrong but I've seen a lot of companies go bust in my time and all this evasion and "we'll let you know as soon as we do" smacks of desperation to me.

 

[OliOldfield83]

I have managed to speak to one of the tutors today. He was a reassuring help and went through all of the course with me - I called them on 08431 782 671. Hope this helps anyone trying to get through to ERR.

 

[Drexyn]

I called ERR this morning to find out what was happening, they have an automated message on the OLCI dedicated number now.

The message states that they have all our information and coursework in now and they are going through each candidates details to determine where we are at in terms of training.

It also advises that we are required to hand in any assignments that we have outstanding to the address provided on your welcome packs and if we require any further information we have to email them at - [email protected]

So that's all i have in terms of info for those in the same boat as myself.

If we follow the process laid out by the new provider we will hopefully get the benefit of their help.

 

[xcsx]

we have to wait , dont we?

 

[xcsx]

Has anyone received an extension letter ?

 

[marcingol]

Hi guys. Just letting You know Im having my 5 days EAL domestic installer inc part P session in Livingstone. Could not confirm anything so I just went hoping somebody will be there. Its still under OLCI. Its only me on this session which is weird. Douglas told me that im having this session because I booked it with OLCI (booked it in June). For next sessions we gonna have to wait until all administration will settle and tranfer all students. Douglas was unable to tell how long will it take. Oh and by the way Drexyn thank you for number to Livingstone. If I know more I will let You know.

 

[Bobsparky123]

Hi all.

I've been having the same problem i received a letter from ERR Ltd about submitting my assignments and told me to log on after 5 days (its been 10 days and still won't log me on).

Tried to call them again but like everybody else automated service and no replies to emails.

However this morning I got some books from ATL with a simulation Cd, so curious I rang ATL and my call was answered by a very rude customer service guy who said i did not exist on the system carried on been rude, after arguing with him for 2 minutes he told me i have been transferred to ATL and any questions I have I have to wait till my information pack comes through.

What was more annoying was the fact that I was doing a full electricians course and they have now transferred me over to just domestic because 'we do not train for commercial'.

Anybody else have this problem or does anyone have a solution for this?

 

[P100olci]

Hi, I'm Paul and I worked for olci as the enrolment adviser in the London and southeast area. Im sure i would have met some of you? , I have had few students ring me up over the last couple of months and I have explained to them everything I know and what has happened to olci and about ERr/ATL or trade 4 trade (it dont matter there all the same people.)
i ve been reading some of these post on here and I feel really sorry for everybody that was a student with olci, if I can be any help please ask and I ll do my best, but I do no longer work for olci or do I work for the people that brought olci,

Good luck everybody

Paul,

 

[ck1988]

Hi, I'm Paul and I worked for olci as the enrolment adviser in the London and southeast area. Im sure i would have met some of you? , I have had few students ring me up over the last couple of months and I have explained to them everything I know and what has happened to olci and about ERr/ATL or trade 4 trade (it dont matter there all the same people.)
i ve been reading some of these post on here and I feel really sorry for everybody that was a student with olci, if I can be any help please ask and I ll do my best, but I do no longer work for olci or do I work for the people that brought olci,

Good luck everybody

Paul,

Hi,

I signed up to OLI in January looking at changing careers.
I left work as I wanted to d the course as quick as possible, I completed all the initial study material they sent and did BEC 1 and then the **** hit fan.
I pay in instalments as the guy told me that's the best way to do it. I've only.... paid £2000 so far an wondering I to cancel my direct debit.

I've been working with an electrician and looking into getting n electricians mates job.

I've no idea what to do as I spoke to ERR LTD today and the qualifications I will get are different to the ones I signed up for, I wont get my AM2.

Anybody have a good idea?

Cheers

 

[Drexyn]

CK1988 your contract with OLCI is now nil and void as they no longer exist now.

You have no obligation anymore to make further payments as they were in breach of your contract by going into administration and you are no longer receiving the services you paid for as per your contract.

It's like buying a new shiny washing machine and receiving a second hand faulty dishwasher, it's not what you paid for and it's not going to do the job you want it to do.

Go and speak to your local citizens advice mate, they will give you all the info you need.

 

[ck1988]

CK1988 your contract with OLCI is now nil and void as they no longer exist now.

You have no obligation anymore to make further payments as they were in breach of your contract by going into administration and you are no longer receiving the services you paid for as per your contract.

It's like buying a new shiny washing machine and receiving a second hand faulty dishwasher, it's not what you paid for and it's not going to do the job you want it to do.

Go and speak to your local citizens advice mate, they will give you all the info you need.

Have a be you had any dealings with ERR? I'm only concerned as I've been told the most important thing is the NVQ?
If anyone could tell me what qualifications I'll need?
I never expected to do the course and be fully competent but I did expect to have the relevant qualifications?

I'm just in limbo as when I spoke to ERR it sounded all good but when you don't really know the industry inside out it all sounds good. But £6000 is a lot of money to spend for none recognised qualifications.

I was promised 2365, 2357(nvq), 17tg edition and AM2. As well as a solar pv course.
ERR will only give me 2365 as well as some other little installer qulalificatins.

Any my advice will be greatly appreciated.

Chris

 

[markhtly]

Have a be you had any dealings with ERR? I'm only concerned as I've been told the most important thing is the NVQ?
If anyone could tell me what qualifications I'll need?
I never expected to do the course and be fully competent but I did expect to have the relevant qualifications?

I'm just in limbo as when I spoke to ERR it sounded all good but when you don't really know the industry inside out it all sounds good. But £6000 is a lot of money to spend for none recognised qualifications.

I was promised 2365, 2357(nvq), 17tg edition and AM2. As well as a solar pv course.
ERR will only give me 2365 as well as some other little installer qulalificatins.

Any my advice will be greatly appreciated.

Chris

Finish your 2365 levels 2 and 3 . Find a college that will let you do the NVQ elements of the 2357 . You might have to do a few extra units to add to your 2365 ( I cant remember which ) for the NVQ .

If as you say your working , then start gathering evidence of work you are undertaking . Photos of deifferent containments , wiring systems , risk assessments and the like for your NVQ work portfolio . There's plenty of advice for the NVQ on this website , have a search . You'll have to do the AM2 to get the NVQ . Cost will probably come out your own pocket . Plenty of information about the AM2 on here too .

Wouldn't worry about the 17th edition exam yet personally , you can just learn to use the book anyway . Then do it when your ready .

That's just general info there , nothing to do with what you may have paid or been promised with OLCI or ERR . You'll have to sort that yourself . Perhaps as the fella above says , book an appointment with the CAB .

Have a look at this website also - Electrical Qualifications - Qualifications needed to train to become an electrician in the UK

 

[ck1988]

Finish your 2365 levels 2 and 3 . Find a college that will let you do the NVQ elements of the 2357 . You might have to do a few extra units to add to your 2365 ( I cant remember which ) for the NVQ .

If as you say your working , then start gathering evidence of work you are undertaking . Photos of deifferent containments , wiring systems , risk assessments and the like for your NVQ work portfolio . There's plenty of advice for the NVQ on this website , have a search . You'll have to do the AM2 to get the NVQ . Cost will probably come out your own pocket . Plenty of information about the AM2 on here too .

Wouldn't worry about the 17th edition exam yet personally , you can just learn to use the book anyway . Then do it when your ready .

That's just general info there , nothing to do with what you may have paid or been promised with OLCI or ERR . You'll have to sort that yourself . Perhaps as the fella above says , book an appointment with the CAB .

Have a look at this website also - Electrical Qualifications - Qualifications needed to train to become an electrician in the UK

Thank you,

I've spoke to them again and they have said I get my 17th edition, the C&G2365 and 2357 NVQ which is the main thing. They have said they can't supply the AM2 which is about £600 but in the long run I'm repaired to pay for that. Thanks for the website found it helpful. I know I've got to put the work in but I'm willing to do what ever is needed.

Chris

 

[JuniorSparky]

Hi guys,
Do you have any new information about our courses? Can you give me a phone number where I can speak about who's in charge over our courses at the moment? I was quite busy last months and I didn't pat attention what was goin on. I think I have even deleted that e-mail, thinking it was ad spam :/

 

[Snj09]

I have the same problem with OLCI and ERR. I had booked two City & Guilds exams through OLCI and ERR cancelled both exams. ERR help line operatives were very rude and did not want to give me any information. Just asked me to wait for a letter.

I cancelled my direct debit with them and I am planing to seek advice from citizens advice bureau.

Thanks,

Sanj

 

[trev]

Rather than every one of you ringing and asking the same questions over and over why not start a thread somewhere on here, or somewhere similar, post up your problems then invite this mob to answer them. That way it's not one person picking up a phone and being asked the same stuff day in day out and any newbies with the same questions can find them in one place.
It also gives the impression of co-ordinated action and that you're organising yourselves (for what, they'll not know but it will make them think)

 

[EoinConway]

Not sure if this is any use but I believe Member 'Alana Fox' is/was a representative for OLCI.

She was last active on this forum on 12/06/14.

 

[trev]

So there you go, PM her to ask if she's still working there. If she is invite her to a Q&A thread, I'm sure the mods won't mind. She could even be made a member of this area to keep trainee stuff away from main forum if they'd prefer that.
It makes far more sense to me to do it that way than to have you all asking the same questions individually and repeating things.

 

[Daytona955]

Ok I have something new . I was a fair way into this course and paying as I went . I phoned and had a chat as life took a new path and olci had no problem freezing the course and payments . I'd heard nothing since until a few weeks back an email being quite threatening about paying them back . I looked further back and found a mail in June saying id missed a recent payment . They wanted me to phone them but I got the impression they didn't know what was going on so I reply emailed them that it froze over 2 years ago and this was the first id heard anything and to explain their approach after it was ammicably frozen ( maybe their mistake at time god knows ) . I had nothing back .

However the mention of possible debt collectors hit a nerve and is causing concern . After reading this forum can I assume with them going under there's just desperation and chaos and to ignore them ? I'm seeing a solicitor this week but any advice welcomed .

Cheers

 

[trev]

DO NOT PAY THEM ANYTHING! Not before you have had proper legal advice.

 

[Daytona955]

Don't intend to just trying to get a feel for where I stand in this carnage :/

 

[Drexyn]

Settle down, OLCI do not exist anymore so there are no contracts valid for any payments.

As for ERR, they bought out the business as a going concern and that includes all of the student contracts. They have to see out the contracts in place until they expire or are completed and i would check if there is any legal formality in place for completing any courses that ERR says they cannot do due to lack of facilities because they have maintained at least 3 facilities from OLCI that can facilitate the remaining coursework.

I'm still trying to move house at the moment and have a few more weeks to get everything done and the old place sold, at the moment i have 3 assignments to hand in and see what happens from then on in.

 

[Roscoe]

Holy ****. I have only just learnt that olci have gone into administration today after trying to book onto a course at the Manchester center. Never recieved any letter regarding administration.

I have completed my level 2 2365 and was moving through the level 3

Has anyone else paid the full amount for the course upfront? Im going to ring ERR tomorrow to see where I stand with them. I know people who are paying installments are having problems with ERR and i just wondered if it was any easier for those who have already paid for the course

cheers

 

[percysybil]

Holy ****. I have only just learnt that olci have gone into administration today after trying to book onto a course at the Manchester center. Never recieved any letter regarding administration.

I have completed my level 2 2365 and was moving through the level 3

Has anyone else paid the full amount for the course upfront? Im going to ring ERR tomorrow to see where I stand with them. I know people who are paying installments are having problems with ERR and i just wondered if it was any easier for those who have already paid for the course

cheers

Roscoe

I paid up-front, and aware of the potential pitfalls used a credit card so I was comfortable knowing that if necessary I could seek compensation.

As it turns out, ERR have (thus far) proven to be more accommodating than OLCI who literally took my payment and delivered nothing, not even any theory material !

ERR meanwhile have been both accessible & understanding. I know others have had different experiences but I can only speak as I find...

For your information, I really wanted to go via the college/night-class route but shift working prevented me from doing that so I decided to do the Domestic Installer course so that I got at least some awareness, after which I am looking to do quite a bit of "free-gratis" labouring for a local spark.

I am fortunate to be in a position to do that I know as not everyone can but I retire from my current job in 6yrs and the electrical work I want to do at that time consists solely of domestic testing and small installations.

The Electrical Trainee route isn't to everyone's taste but for me it works in the context as set out above.

Hopefully you will get sorted mate...

 

[Roscoe]

QUOTE=percysybil;985070]Roscoe

I paid up-front, and aware of the potential pitfalls used a credit card so I was comfortable knowing that if necessary I could seek compensation.

As it turns out, ERR have (thus far) proven to be more accommodating than OLCI who literally took my payment and delivered nothing, not even any theory material !

ERR meanwhile have been both accessible & understanding. I know others have had different experiences but I can only speak as I find...

For your information, I really wanted to go via the college/night-class route but shift working prevented me from doing that so I decided to do the Domestic Installer course so that I got at least some awareness, after which I am looking to do quite a bit of "free-gratis" labouring for a local spark.

I am fortunate to be in a position to do that I know as not everyone can but I retire from my current job in 6yrs and the electrical work I want to do at that time consists solely of domestic testing and small installations.

The Electrical Trainee route isn't to everyone's taste but for me it works in the context as set out above.

Hopefully you will get sorted mate...[/QUOTE]


Thanks for the reply percysybil. I got home from work at 4pm today and tried to phone ERR. I tried all three numbers on their web site and each one took me to the same answer phone message stating i need to send any completed modules/assignments to ERR to be assessed. I have most of my level 2 certificates for the modules I completed except the last couple. I think OLCI failed to send me these as my assesment dates were around the time OLCI went bump!

I presume you have talked to someone at ERR directly? is there a different telephone number I can use? Im goi.g ro try to phone again tomorrow and again on monday if that fails.

I basicly got my employer to put the training through their books so I could save a small fortune on VAT. Im not sure if they paid by credit card, more likely they paid by cheque.

I also wanted to initially to do my training with a proper local collage but my employer needs me to work when they are busy. This made OLCI seem like a good choice as I could carry on working and getting paid and just book onto the training courses when work falls quiet. Ive been working with my current employer (telecoms industry) for almost 2 years now starting off as a labourer before becoming a sparkies mate so im starting to get a relatively good grasp of it now.

Just want to get the rest of my training done so I can start demanding a bit of a better wage and eventually start doing foreigners on the side

 

[trev]

Right, I've had enough. I've just emailed them to ask if they'll come and do a (kind of) Q&A session as I've suggested elsewhere. As soon as I get some info I'll get back to you.