Associated Technical College

Review: Representatives of the school solicit people by asking them if they are looking for employment. The rep doesn't tell you that he is a affiliated with a school, he refers to the organization as ATC, which sounds like a company such as an employment agency. He has been handing out flyers about employment opportunities, dropping big company names like [redacted] and stating the starting pay is $25,00. These jobs probably don't exist. He can be seen at the Central Library and in the HHSA office on 10th Avenue. Then the rep asks for your name and phone number for an appointment, making it sound like this is a job interview. Once you get to their facilities, you realize this is a trade school and you meet with a rep from the school who goes on to explain that this is a trade school with training programs that cost $17,000.00. Keep in mind the money discussion comes up in the first 10 minutes of your "interview". He went on to say that I could meet with a financial counselor to see if I qualified for a student loan. I laughed at that cost and declined. I thought I'd never hear from them again, but a day later, I got a call from another representative at the school and I just said no. This is slimy and I feel they are taking advantage of people that are unemployed that are desperate. I even told the fellow I met with that anyone could get a better degree for a lot less money at [redacted].Desired Settlement: Modification/discontinuance of an advertised claim. They should stop or change their misleading sales pitch and identify themselves as a trade school called Associate Technical College not an employer who wants to set up interviews for a "real" job. Too bad I didn't save the flyer, but it's easy to find the reps in the downtown area.

Business

Response:

Revdex.com4747 Vie\\Tidge Ave., #200San Diego, CA 92123 Complaint ID# l [redacted]Dear [redacted];We are in receipt of your letter dated June 16, 2015 expressing a concern fllled on June 11,201 S by [redacted] "nith your agency. We reviewed the concerns noted by [redacted] andbegan our investigation.School History: Associated Technical College has been operating in San Diego since1984 and during the past 31 years has served many local residents in obtaining career goals viaeducational programs it offers. The programs take approximately 7 months to oomplete and thegraduates are awarded a Diploma in the chosen program.General Practice: The Institution utilizes variety of marketing plans to infonn the localresidents of the services it provides. One of such plans is in dissemination of its flyers andpromotional materials. The College employs flyer distributors whom are compensated on anhourly basis to handout such promotional materials to general public. Our marketing targets aradius of 1 0 miles from where the campus is located, downtown San Diego. Approximately, over1000 flyers are disseminated on a daily basis within the designated areas. Please see attached,copies of the flyers utilized. As illustrated on the flyers. the name, address and the phone numberof the schools is printed along with types of courses, length of program and type of services thatare available. In some occasions, some interested consumers upon receiving the flyers, give theirname and phone nwnber in order to receive additional information over the phone or to setup anappointment for a visit of the campus.Who Can Benefit: In generaf'individuals that lack employable skills or are no longercapable to work in the field they used to, are most likely to benefit of our services. Everyone thatshows an interest in our educational programs, has to attend an interview where 1he scope of thetraining programs offered a long With the costs and the participation requirements are discussed.Only those that the institution believes that may benefit from our services are scheduled foradditional screening and if passed, may pursue the admissions process to the college.Financial Assistance: The institution participates in Federal higher Education FinancialAid, Federal Veterans Assistance, and Private Financing Programs. Individuals interested infinancial assistance are scheduled to meet with an associate from the business office to explore alloptions.[redacted]Jun 30 2015 8:32PM ATC/SD 6192367971 page 4i[redacted]Consumer Visit: [redacted] had given her name and phone number to the flyerdistributor and hence was contacted and scheduled for an in-person visit of the campus and in orderto obtain more infonnation about the services that are available. Our log records indicate that Ms.Dreyer was contacted and was given an appointment to visit the campus on May 27, 2015. Uponher visit, [redacted] completed an Entrance Application, copy attached, and indicated that shewas interested for more information while not signing the application to certify that the informationgiven is current and accurate. [redacted] was given a complete explanation of the educationalservices available including the nature of each program offered, the len~ the cost of attendance,etc. [redacted] also had shared during the interview that she had attended a college previouslyand had obtained a degree. [redacted] had expressed interest in the educational programs offeredand inquired about the fmancial aid programs available. She was informed that certain Federalfinancial aid benefits are limited for Diploma programs if the individual possess a prior collegedegree. Further exploration from the Department ofEducation's web site reflected that [redacted]bad defaulted in a previous Federal Educational Programs which makes her ineligible to participatein any Financial Aid Programs.Placement Activities: The College offers free employment preparation and assistance toits graduates. The College has had graduates employed with name brand companies such as[redacted], Verizon, Cox, Time Warner, as well as many other fine companies. The College does notrecruit for any of the companies mention above rather, provides free labor force referral to theirHR Department.Conclusion: The College does not believe that it has mislead [redacted] in any shape orform. All infonnation provided had been true and accurate. Our investigation shows that standardand ethical business practice was followed throughout and we hope that the information providedwould clarify the issues brought to your attention and please feel free to contact me if I can be ofany further assistance.[redacted]Director[redacted]Tel: 619.234.218l . ...... . ...... . Fax: 619.236.7971. ...

Review: I am a student in this school most recently they Made us use a key to use the bathroom while the employees use there own restroom I have bladder problems and there's always a line so I have to walk across the street to use the restroom I spent 17,000 for this program and that's not right we shouldn't have to ask for a key. also I was offered a job passing flyers in the street but I was beat up while working. so I quit please fix these ethical issuesDesired Settlement: to have open accuse to the restroom and to stop offering dangerous jobs to pass out flyers in the street

Business

Response:

We are in receipt of your letter dated September 12, 2014 containing possible concerns

from one of our customers. We appreciate the opportunity given to review and response to the

concerns noted in your letter.

At times the institution finds it necessary to make certain changes in its practice and

operational policies in order to better serve its clients. Although it is accurate that a key to the

restroom is currently required for use, but there has been no shortage of accessibility for the

customers.

I met with Mr. [redacted] today in order to further assess his concerns and to provide

him with any additional assistance. Mr. [redacted] was surprised of the Revdex.com's letter and its content

and in fact, he believes that someone must have used his identity to generate these false

accusations. Mr. Harris was going to investigate as how someone had used his information to file

this complaint. Additionally, Mr. [redacted] stated that if he had any problems, he would have just

brought it to the management's attention.

We hope that the information provided would clarify the issues brought to your attention

and please feel free to contact me if I can be of any further assistance.

Sincerely,

Director