Complaint Review: BCTI - Gig Harbor Washington

Dars...buddy..I respect what you did. Yes, I agree it's sad that the company, BCTI took advantage of a person whom you are referring to. I felt the same way 'cause I actually Sub. for your class. I was just as frustrated to see that people couldn't ATB. But I was sad for the other employees as well. In fact, I'm sorry about our colleagues getting their walking papers. I mean sort of got mine after a month off, but I actually wanted it. I feel for the students and I feel for the ex-staff. But I just wondered why you waited 'til you got another job. Basically you didn't "go down" like the rest of us. That's all. And it was interesting when the report came after one of your close friends was forced to leave the company. The timing was just not right..it seems. Hey, I have to hate but "love" towards. You were my partner at "tech center" and I enjoyed those days. I even wanted you to stay instead of working for a bar. Remember that?? So, I'm sorry if said something wrong. I'm just sad right now 'cause someone I know got hurt from this. And also I was sad for my first and last Phase 2 students as well. Take care...hit me a reply.

Dars...buddy..I respect what you did. Yes, I agree it's sad that the company, BCTI took advantage of a person whom you are referring to. I felt the same way 'cause I actually Sub. for your class. I was just as frustrated to see that people couldn't ATB. But I was sad for the other employees as well. In fact, I'm sorry about our colleagues getting their walking papers. I mean sort of got mine after a month off, but I actually wanted it. I feel for the students and I feel for the ex-staff. But I just wondered why you waited 'til you got another job. Basically you didn't "go down" like the rest of us. That's all. And it was interesting when the report came after one of your close friends was forced to leave the company. The timing was just not right..it seems. Hey, I have to hate but "love" towards. You were my partner at "tech center" and I enjoyed those days. I even wanted you to stay instead of working for a bar. Remember that?? So, I'm sorry if said something wrong. I'm just sad right now 'cause someone I know got hurt from this. And also I was sad for my first and last Phase 2 students as well. Take care...hit me a reply.

Dars...buddy..I respect what you did. Yes, I agree it's sad that the company, BCTI took advantage of a person whom you are referring to. I felt the same way 'cause I actually Sub. for your class. I was just as frustrated to see that people couldn't ATB. But I was sad for the other employees as well. In fact, I'm sorry about our colleagues getting their walking papers. I mean sort of got mine after a month off, but I actually wanted it. I feel for the students and I feel for the ex-staff. But I just wondered why you waited 'til you got another job. Basically you didn't "go down" like the rest of us. That's all. And it was interesting when the report came after one of your close friends was forced to leave the company. The timing was just not right..it seems. Hey, I have to hate but "love" towards. You were my partner at "tech center" and I enjoyed those days. I even wanted you to stay instead of working for a bar. Remember that?? So, I'm sorry if said something wrong. I'm just sad right now 'cause someone I know got hurt from this. And also I was sad for my first and last Phase 2 students as well. Take care...hit me a reply.

Dars...buddy..I respect what you did. Yes, I agree it's sad that the company, BCTI took advantage of a person whom you are referring to. I felt the same way 'cause I actually Sub. for your class. I was just as frustrated to see that people couldn't ATB. But I was sad for the other employees as well. In fact, I'm sorry about our colleagues getting their walking papers. I mean sort of got mine after a month off, but I actually wanted it. I feel for the students and I feel for the ex-staff. But I just wondered why you waited 'til you got another job. Basically you didn't "go down" like the rest of us. That's all. And it was interesting when the report came after one of your close friends was forced to leave the company. The timing was just not right..it seems. Hey, I have to hate but "love" towards. You were my partner at "tech center" and I enjoyed those days. I even wanted you to stay instead of working for a bar. Remember that?? So, I'm sorry if said something wrong. I'm just sad right now 'cause someone I know got hurt from this. And also I was sad for my first and last Phase 2 students as well. Take care...hit me a reply.

Jon, Questioning my loyalty to who? BCTI? Loyalty is earned. I was employed by BCTI for three long years and they NEVER lifted a finger to earn my loyalty. Instead they took every opportunity to strip us of benefits and any morale we had left. I did everything I could while I was there to make a difference and change the system to be what I believed it could be. But I was told it was not my place to speak up. I was told to sit up, and shut up. When I questioned a man's ability to benefit, I was told it was not my place to question anything. They were pushing someone through with a traumatic brain injury and fixing to enroll him into phase 2. You are d**n straight I left and reported them! It shames me to know how many people were going to sit back and watch it happen. As much as I loved the people I worked with, a lot of them allowed themselves to be the arms and legs of the big machine. A machine that would spit them out once they questioned the mission*. Sure we all have bills to pay...but I was raised to look out for the little people, because it will be a cold day in hell when a business will be looking out for you. * Business Computer Training Institute is in the business of pilfering money from tax payers and downtrodden citizens of Washington and Oregon in an effort to become increasingly rich and arrogant all the while convincing themselves that they are changing lives..in the name of the lord. Last time I checked Jesus said: that which you have done unto the least of my brethren you have done unto me.

Ok..ok..so I mistyped some words. Maybe I should have gone through keyboarding class instead of teaching it. Oops. It seems BCTI was doing but teaching lies (which includes us Instructors 'cause we implemented the curriculum). I want to know from students is: AAA - is this a lie to get a job. AFTER Traits - is this a lie to get a job

Mike, First of all, If I was "Jack" then why I not login as that "guy" and post messages here. Second, if I wanted to call them traitor I could have said it right now. What are they going to do? Sue me as well? :) So no I'm not this "Jack" dude your speaking of. Okay, I agree with you about unpaid vacation. I didn't have unpaid vacation...had another month long trip. But, I didn't get my severance pay. But can't complain about it. What good will it do. Owners took off and ran. Back to Darcie and Barbara, what I actually don't understand is how come they didn't report this issue to the state while they were on BCTI's payroll. This just came up only when: one got "laid off" and the other left for another job. Clever scheme I might add. Now if I was going to call them a traitor, it some ways they are. Not because they should back BCTI as a corporation, but they should have thought about the "friends" they made at BCTI. Now, some have a hard time looking for work. And just like the rest of you they are having a hard time paying off some bills. So yeah, they are "traitors" 'cause I question their loyalty. Also, everyone has to realize every corporation will try to find ways to earn more $$$$. And "we" just happened to be in losing end. I don't support what BCTI, Inc. has done, but I felt bad about some of my ex-coworkers ending up jobless. I'm not bragging or anything, but I felt during the time these allegations were going on, I had nothing to worry 'cause I had confidence in myself that I have the skills and determination to find another job. Which I did. This leads me to another subject: students blaming BCTI for not getting a job. Here's my thought. In my years of teaching there, I have seen tremendous successes in students getting job or "careers". But I do not think that it was the "curriculum" that got them the job. It was how they have mastered presentation skills. I firmly believe that concept because just a month ago I interviewed with two companies and both hired me...they had ONE thing in common during the interview process. They were looking for a team player who can work well with the team they have already assembled. The job I'm doing now...I never knew how to do it. Now they trained me and I'm doing okay. So students, the teachnical skills you learned at BCTI were real. Corporations do use them, but I'm willing to bet if you straightened out your interviewing skills, the offers will come knocking. As far as job searching goes, I never asked anyone for help whether it was family, friends, or placement at my school. I was too proud for that. So just 'cause placement didn't do their job, that doesn't you can't do yours.

Jon- You're not "Jack" a few posts ago, calling Barbra a had and Pelsor a traitor? Right. Vacation time was stolen. It was earned just as much as regular pay. They should have cut a check for time earned, especially since they continually denied vacation time off requests months before termination. So, yeah, some former employees are rightfully upset about that. As far as 'just' qutting- 1. The monthly bill collector forces some people to stay employed. 2. Some staff (including myself) truely enjoyed and wanted to be there to help the students (the ASC definately wasn't going to take that role) 3. I liked most of those that I worked with. Sure, Morrie-Tom-Katherine-Margaret were complete (insert colorful explitive). But most others were generally good spirits. Besides, If we quit then we wouldn't have that golden opportunity to tell the state investigators what was on our minds. ....and I'll take that extra skirt, gotta get something out of what BCTI owes me.

Hello Jon I. (or should I say "Jack" in a previous post) So you think ex-employees here are bitter, not surprising coming from someone who was a bcti-cheerleader. As an ex-employee, I wouldn't say that I am bitter........rather I just want people to know the truth about that school. The owners were liars and unethical. Plain and simple. When Tom Jonez came to your campus in september and said that the campus would definately not close or the CCs were not under any pressure to get enrollments, what would you call that? I call it B.S. I'm willing to bet that everyone here is 'over' and has 'moved on' from BCTI. Unfortunately, Jon, not everyone can move on from loans due, nor retrieve the vacation time stolen from them.

Hello Jon I. (or should I say "Jack" in a previous post) So you think ex-employees here are bitter, not surprising coming from someone who was a bcti-cheerleader. As an ex-employee, I wouldn't say that I am bitter........rather I just want people to know the truth about that school. The owners were liars and unethical. Plain and simple. When Tom Jonez came to your campus in september and said that the campus would definately not close or the CCs were not under any pressure to get enrollments, what would you call that? I call it B.S. I'm willing to bet that everyone here is 'over' and has 'moved on' from BCTI. Unfortunately, Jon, not everyone can move on from loans due, nor retrieve the vacation time stolen from them.

Hello Jon I. (or should I say "Jack" in a previous post) So you think ex-employees here are bitter, not surprising coming from someone who was a bcti-cheerleader. As an ex-employee, I wouldn't say that I am bitter........rather I just want people to know the truth about that school. The owners were liars and unethical. Plain and simple. When Tom Jonez came to your campus in september and said that the campus would definately not close or the CCs were not under any pressure to get enrollments, what would you call that? I call it B.S. I'm willing to bet that everyone here is 'over' and has 'moved on' from BCTI. Unfortunately, Jon, not everyone can move on from loans due, nor retrieve the vacation time stolen from them.

Hello Jon I. (or should I say "Jack" in a previous post) So you think ex-employees here are bitter, not surprising coming from someone who was a bcti-cheerleader. As an ex-employee, I wouldn't say that I am bitter........rather I just want people to know the truth about that school. The owners were liars and unethical. Plain and simple. When Tom Jonez came to your campus in september and said that the campus would definately not close or the CCs were not under any pressure to get enrollments, what would you call that? I call it B.S. I'm willing to bet that everyone here is 'over' and has 'moved on' from BCTI. Unfortunately, Jon, not everyone can move on from loans due, nor retrieve the vacation time stolen from them.

Hi Again, I'm cool with this. I'm not going to any counseling any time soon 'cause BCTI went down and under. Got a new job, it's awesome so I moved on. Seems like some ex-employee needs to just get over it. Yeah too bad it ended that way, but man there are jobs out there. I used BCTI as my reference John N., David, and Toby were all cool about it. In fact, I miss some of the peeps there. In contact with some though...but guys move on. I can understand students situation 'cause they paid and now they have to pay the bill. Us ex-employees we got paid so what's the prob. Okay not all did illegal stuff..I didn't do anything illegal stuff...okay maybe took some drinks from the Fridge for my students..oops mah bad. Plain and simple company's gone and now just chill out and live life. Ex-Enron employees did. By the way, like my English structure. I dig it! Aight peace!

I was a Funding Specialist for three years in Everett. I am no fan of the company or the people who ran it. I understand the anger and frustration from employees and students. There is no doubt that people got screwed. There seems to be a general feeling that most everyone connected to the company is evil incarnate. I believe in speaking about what you know. I don't know what went on at other sites. I can tell you what didn't go on at mine. I get more than a little angry being lumped in with the foulness associated with BCTI. I have no doubt that some of the things that have been said about the company and some employees is true. I am angry and saddened that some of the good things that I saw happen will never make the papers. Does any one care to hear about the ones who truly got something out of the program? I saw people successfully complete the program and some were people some might have thought would never make it, or shouldn't have been enrolled. You probably won't hear about the very large check that was given for tuition, that the ED refused to deposit because she knew the class would never start, or the cc who told a prospective student that she would be better off at a community college. And I bet you won't hear about the guy who really wanted to enroll. Was ready to sign on the dotted line. He was on SSI and a total nut bar. He could have been enrolled no problem. Instead the cc gave him a follow up appointment for a Saturday knowing no one would be there. Why? He wouldn't go away and she knew he wouldn't benefit from the program. And just to be clear she had the ED's blessing. And my favorite one of all. The guy who came in who wanted to enroll. He was disruptive and foul. He could have been enrolled no problem, instead the ED basically told him he needed to up his medication and wouldn't let him enroll. These are examples of the type of people I worked with in Everett. Everyone I worked with are honest, caring and ethical people from the Office Manager to the ED. I never lied to a student, faked ATB results or altered records, nor was I ever asked to by a Regionl Director or VP. In fact Katherine Owen was at Everett for six months, and I am no great fan, but KO was very adamant about making sure paper work was on the up and up. I worked with her off and on and I truly do not believe she is a liar or unethical. There is a lot of energy being given to making some one pay. I have to wonder who that is going to be. I would like to see the focus shift to who really is responsible. There seems to be an assumption that just because someone had a title they are responsible. I personally know one and I can tell you among the employees she probably got screwed harder than anyone else. I feel bad for students who feel they got taken advantage of. I have no doubt there are those out there that did. I hope there can be some kind of resolution for them. I know there are a few of you who have been working at this for quite a while. I have to wonder when it will be enough for you. The beast is dead, and a lot of good, honest people are out of jobs. I guess I would just like people to remember that not everyone in the company is a big fat liar. There were people like me, who believed in what we were doing, and were able to be successful without resorting to unethical practices. The company was just retarded, I doubt anyone will ever know what really happened.It is unfortunate that one would have to worry if BCTI should go on the resume, but I refuse to be ashamed of my work there just because the co founders, Fric and Frac had their heads up their butts. Best of luck to all. I hope you can find some resolution and peace for yourselves.

Sup Yall, Yup, I an ex-employee at BCTI-Beaverton. Yeah, I guess lots of peeps got jacked. For me, is was okay working there for awhile until I ended being a Life Skills Counselor instead of a Computer Teacher. It was cool though 'cause I got to know some students in a personal. Although, it most cases staff shouldn't be crossing that line. I agreed with other post about don't bite the hand that feeds you. Most of time it was just best to just keep your mouth shut and do your "work." But at the same time, it was irrating to go through classes and spending hours with a bunch of boneheads (not all were, but you gotta admit there were some.) I was wondering when the day would come when someone just finally tell the government that BCTI was doing some illegal crap. Must have a warehouse full of letter of appeals. That some crazy stuff. Some student wrote on the appeal "I had personal issues I needed to take care of." And it was approved! The staff meetings..wow..all we talked about was who's not showing up, who's depressed, who's homeless, who's pregnant, who needed bus passes, the school should have been called Basic Life Skills Institute. Screw the curriculum..:p As far as some of students complaining about being lied to..partly that's your fault. I'll give an example about me: I went to UofPhoenix..took two night classes and after I said screw this. I didn't like the way they taught. So I quit. I already got a degree in CIS, but wanted BA in Business so I took an alternative route. I know you're gonna say "but I was trusting admissions." If I was a car salesman selling you a car with no engine and you didn't test drive and you bought it , who's fault is that? Me?...guess again. Anyways, Dars hope you feel much better now. Now that BCTI closed down. Anways, hit me a response love to hear from you all. Happy suing!

Thanks Darcie, Thank you for your kind words. I felt very strongly about the unethical behavior while I was an employee, strong enough to quit. I still feel the same even having been gone for 3 years. What they did to their staff and students was unforgivable. I remember students who could not even read or write being graduated and being told to find them a job. When I questioned them, I was asked who I thought I was to question whether or not someone could be helped by BCTI. I felt bad for the students, it was not their fault, and everyone has the right to change their life and improve himself or herself. I don't know if you were staff or a student, either way, I hope you have recovered an in a better place in life. I have contacted a lawyer in Tacoma who is suing on behalf of one of the students. I volunteered to testify against them if he wanted me to. Have not heard back yet, but if I do I will post the results. Good luck to you.

Oh my god. This is the best rip off report yet. Thank you Ron for sharing this and for a very powerful closing line. And they will get what they deserve.