As back-to-school season ramps up, it’s not just students thinking about what comes next.Many adults are also looking at career changes, professional certifica
As back-to-school season ramps up, it’s not just students thinking about what comes next.
Many adults are also looking at career changes, professional certifications or new ways to earn money — and that can lead them to online coaching programs, business mentorships, fitness certifications, and other alternative education opportunities.
Some of these programs can offer valuable training, but consumers should understand exactly what they are buying before spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars, the Better Business Bureau said.
Cameron Nakashima with the Better Business Bureau said BBB sees “hundreds of complaints and negative reviews involving education, training, and coaching programs each year,” and that the volume has remained fairly steady, making it “a persistent consumer issue.”
Nakashima said many of the companies offering these programs are legitimate, but the concern is whether the training or credential carries the value suggested by the advertising. Costs can range widely, from a few hundred dollars to $3,000, $5,000 or even $10,000. In some cases, consumers finish a program only to find the credential is not widely recognized or the training did not build the promised skills.
One common example involves professional certifications.
Nakashima described a scenario in which someone completes an online fitness or health coaching program and receives a certificate, but later learns the credential does not meet standards commonly recognized in the field when they approach a gym, employer or potential client.
The certificate may be real, he said, but its professional value may not match what the consumer believed they were purchasing.
BBB also hears concerns about business courses and mentorships that promise income, clients, social media growth or other specific results. Nakashima said some consumers complete the course and say, “I spent thousands of dollars, but I still cannot do what I was told I would be able to do.” He said that gap between what’s promised and the actual value is where many complaints begin.
To help determine whether a program is worth the money before enrolling, Nakashima recommended starting with an end goal and learning the requirements for that goal before signing up. He suggested asking employers and respected industry organizations what qualifications they recognize.
He also advised researching a company’s reputation, including checking BBB.org for its rating, complaint history, customer reviews and accreditation status. Nakashima noted that BBB Accreditation is not academic accreditation, but said it can show a business has committed to BBB standards for honest advertising, transparency, honoring promises and addressing disputes.
Finally, he urged consumers to get every promise in writing and to be cautious of guaranteed income, job placement, follower growth or business results. He also recommended reading refund policies carefully, including deadlines and conditions, noting that a money-back guarantee may be difficult to use if requirements are too restrictive.
“When investing in self-development, it’s so important to make sure you go through a legitimate program,” Nakashima said. Consumers can research education and training businesses for free at BBB.org.
