Government funding??

[cherrypoker]

Hi everyone!

I am currently unemployed and on income support. I have seen an advertisement for go-red driving school where you can train to become a driving instructor.
I had my interview etc and was told that they fund the course and you pay them back later on.
After having my driving assessment today i was asked for my full name, address, bank details etc.
I was then told that the bank that they used had turned me down for funding. He assured me it wasn't like a normal credit check.
He then asked if i could get money from elsewhere.
I feel very let down as i thought it had all been explained to me at the initial interview. Of course a bank isn't going to give me a loan when i am on income support.
Are there any places that help with funding for courses as you are guaranteed a job at the end.
I have tried my lone parent advisor and my local business link but to no avail.
Any help with this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks!

[Ankou]

did they explain why they wouldn't give you funding? was it the income support thing? don;t know much about it, but sounds a bit of a scam to me.

[Ankou]

Check here.....

http://forums.gumtree.com/topic270324.html

[cherrypoker]

Many thanks for your help!

[Ankou]

I'm sorry it doesn't help, but if they are asking you to part with a lot of dosh then its best to know what you are up against.

[buildersmate]

Yes, be very wary.
I don't want to seem to discourage you, but their interest is in flogging you a driving tuition course - nothing else.
You need to be very clear that this is career you are really interested in and be very sales-driven to find your customers. The hourly rates are quite low (and you have all your vehicles expenses to fund out of this), the hours long and unsocial (lots of evenings and weekends).

[brenda]

I am not knocking your ambitions but, is learning to drive a growth area with the credit crunch? I don't know the answer just wondering.

[cherrypoker]

Thankyou for your answers.
I feel a bit let down with it all. The initial interview etc is very misleading. I explained to them that as i was on income support i couldn't afford any money upfront. I was told this was not a problem as i could have funding and then pay it back once i started work.
This isn't strictly true as they get the money from their bank and you have to pass their check. I didn't even realise i was been credit checked until i was told i had been declined. Of course i am going to be declined i am on benefits.
I was told though that this was not like a normal credit check, what is it then??
I thought the whole point was that they gave you the tuition you needed and then you paid them back.
All they are basically doing is offering finance for a course.
Under the current climate, not many people will be able to get a loan of �3500.
As i say very misleading!!

[Ankou]

From what I have read, that �3500 os for the first course and to get fully qualified its another �3500 on a secomd course, don't know for sure but think that is what i read somewhere in one of the links I gave.

seems they are just sales peope trying to get money from you directly by using their bank funding issues as an excuse. the available loan was a red herring to get you involved and enthusiastic enough to keep going but with your own money. sorry to say it but i would avoid going any further with these people.