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  • Report:  #738576

Complaint Review: Heavy Construction Academy TRUSTED BUSINESS | Ripoff Report Verifie ™ …businesses you can trust. Heavy Construction Academy the nation’s leading institution training & certification of Heavy Equipment Operators. Heavy Construction Academy has modern equipment state-of-the-art facilities and an ideal training field. HCA has become one of the most effective efficient training sites in the world. - Brentwood New Hampshire

Reported By:
Tim S, - Beverly, Massachusetts, United States of America
Submitted:
Updated:

Heavy Construction Academy TRUSTED BUSINESS | Ripoff Report Verifie ™ …businesses you can trust. Heavy Construction Academy the nation’s leading institution training & certification of Heavy Equipment Operators. Heavy Construction Academy has modern equipment state-of-the-art facilities and an ideal training field. HCA has become one of the most effective efficient training sites in the world.
5 Industrial Dr Brentwood, 03822 New Hampshire, United States of America
Phone:
Web:
www.heavyconstructionacademy.com
Tell us has your experience with this business or person been good? What's this?
Report Attachments

REVIEW UPDATE: December 10, 2018: Heavy Construction Academy remains committed to increased customer satisfaction and has improved their business practices over the years to better serve their customers. Heavy Construction Academy is truly dedicated to making sure their customers are satisfied and that any complaints which do arise are addressed promptly and fairly.

To date, Heavy Construction Academy has made good faith efforts to resolve all complaints reported on Ripoff Report. Based on our experience, the member business has proven to be among the top members of the Ripoff Report Corporate Advocacy Business Remediation and Customer Satisfaction Program as a Verified Safe Business™.

Over time and since becoming a member, Heavy Construction Academy has remained actively engaged and improving the way they address customer service complaints. As an active and current member of the Ripoff Report Corporate Advocacy Business Remediation and Customer Satisfaction Program we are happy to report that now more than ever Heavy Construction Academy remains committed to improving customer satisfaction.

Remember, no company or individual can ever satisfy 100% of the people 100% of the time. There are no products or services that will always be perfect for everyone and even the best companies will receive complaints from time to time. However, by participating in the Corporate Advocacy Program, the member business has made a commitment to working with its customers to resolve complaints quickly and fairly whenever possible.

Please keep in mind that as a consumer you have some responsibilities as well. Success has many definitions that based on your past experiences, current situation and your perceived expectations. Success with any product or service is always based on the proper application and understanding. The fastest car will not run if you never turn the engine on. Look at how you used the product or service that was provided in relation with the instructions that you received. The Corporate Advocacy Business Remediation and Customer Satisfaction Program will help you get your voice heard but please be prepared with documentation and fair representation of your concern, also have an idea of how the company can fix your concern. Can they offer additional services, extend warranties, offer a fair refund or just get you talking with someone that can help. ..let them know and let us know!

*Any consumer not receiving satisfaction from a member of the Corporate Advocacy Program should email us at [email protected].

Ripoff Report Verified™ REVIEW

EDitor's UPDATE: Positive rating and recognition has been given to Heavy Construction Academy for its full commitment to quality customer service.

Ripoff Report's discussions with Heavy Construction Academy have uncovered an ongoing dedication by the company to total client satisfaction. This means that clients can expect that the company will work towards finding a mutually satisfactory resolution to any concerns. Heavy Construction Academy listens carefully to client concerns and sees them as an opportunity to learn from past mistakes and become more efficient as a company in the services offered and the support for those services.

Heavy Construction Academy's principal, Mr. Ralph DelVecchio, has informed us that his personal philosophy is that his students success are the heart of the business. As a successful school director, Mr. DelVecchio feels it is critical to listen to his students and respond properly. By always putting his students needs first, Mr. DelVecchio plans to maintain Heavy Construction Academy as a successful school both now and for many years to come.

Ripoffreport Report Image
Ripoff Report Verified™ .. part of Ripoff Report Corporate Advocacy Business Remediation & Customer Satisfaction Program.A program that benefits the consumer, assures them of complete satisfaction and confidence when doing business with a member business..

The information provided in this report below is based on comments made by Ken Dunn during an onsite inspection held by a third party verification company with no biases toward Heavy Construction Academy.

Heavy Construction Academy offers interested individuals the resources and training they need to embark on a fulfilling career in the heavy equipment industry. Ralph Devecchio, President of Heavy Construction Academy stated the following about his company's vision, " [our vision is] to be a leading institution offering effective vocation training, while maintaining a high standard or quality and integrity. For the purpose of helping a wide range of individuals gain stable well-paying employment in a high demand occupation."



Leads for Heavy Construction Academy are obtained primary through their strong presence on internet search databases. Once a potential student has expressed interest in their training, they can go the company’s website to fill out an application. From there a representative will contact the potential student to further explain the process and advantages of their company. It should be noted that Heavy Construction Academy hosts students from across the nation, from a wide variety of vocational backgrounds.

CUSTOMER CARE & COMPLAINT RESOLUTION FROM HEAVY CONSTRUCTION ACADEMY

During the onsite interview, Ken Dunn, the Career Services director was asked to describe a situation where a student was not satisfied with the level of service they received. Mr. Dunn expressed that occasionally after a student graduates they are unable to find a job in their area. In order to combat this Heavy Construction Academy, "we prepare the student ahead of time on how to get a job once they leave the Academy." This includes helping students create a resume, providing a list of websites that students can search for job postings, and e-mailing graduates every Friday with new jobs available in their area.

When asked to comment on complaints posted on Ripoff Report's website both Mr. Devecchio and Mr. Dunn expressed that the comments were made by students who never reached out to Heavy Construction Academy directly. Mr. Devecchio expressed that if a student has an concerns with the program they can always reach out to Heavy Construction Academy, and they will do everything in their power to ensure customer satisfaction. Additionally, to ensure future and current student Heavy Construction Academy has been in operation for over 11 years, and trained 1,000s of student to become entry level heavy equipment operators. Students who go through their program obtain more seat time than any competing program, and they offer graduating students lifetime career service assistance.

Heavy Construction Academy is pleased to be a part of Ripoff Report's Corporate Advocacy Business Remediation and Customer Satisfaction Program. Mr. Devecchio further explains by stating, "I believe for lack of a better word that it will exonerate us...I think it's the right thing to do, I think it's a positive step in the right direction."



HEAVY CONSTRUCTION ACADEMY – PROGRAMS

  1. Front End Loader
  2. Skid Steer
  3. BackHoe
  4. Dump Truck
  5. Roller Compactor
  6. Bulldozer
  7. Motor Grader
  8. Excavator


STATEMENT FROM HEAVY CONSTRUSTION ACADEMY

" We are the leading Heavy Equipment Operator training school in the nation. With the founder's over 20 years of excavation industry experience, and now 12 years school experience, HCA knows what it takes to best learn the trade, and then find work in it. Other school's may know the school industry, but tend to lack the real world experience that gives HCA's students an edge, when they get out in the field.

Heavy Construction Academy's team is experienced and equipped to give students the best training possible. Heavy Construction Academy takes employee satisfaction seriously as well. Employee feedback and surveys reveal comments such as this, "Heavy Construction Academy provides a positive environment dedicated to helping it's employees succeed, and find satisfaction in their job's. Mr. DelVecchio believes if he takes pride in his employees, they will take pride in their work, and that will be passed on to the students. Mr. DelVecchio is truly interested in his employees feedback and suggestions, as well as their well-being. He takes the time to listen and help students and staff, wherever he can."

Ripoff Report was pleased to learn that heavy construction academy's past and current approach to business is focused on its pledge to total commitment towards client and employee satisfaction.



STATED IMPROVEMENTS FROM HEAVY CONSTRUCTION ACADEMY

Heavy Construction Academy recognizes that complaints posted on Ripoff Report (whether true or not) are issues that need to be addressed, not ignored. If handled correctly, complaints can be valuable learning opportunities. With the feedback generated by Ripoff Report's review, heavy construction academy has made organizational changes allowing its clients and employees a more streamlined approach to problem resolution and a commitment to a great client experience.

In summary, after our review, which included discussions with Type here to replace the highlighted text above..., Ripoff Report is convinced that heavy construction academy is committed to quality delivery of services resulting in total client satisfaction.

How does a business get Ripoff Report Verified™

The member business allows Ripoff report to email everyone from the past. Those who respond to Ripoff report with a valid complaint must be take care of.. they have made a commitment that if anyone contacts Ripoff Report in the future, they will make things right within 14 days. The member business must err on the side of their customers. Otherwise the member business is off the program.

Ripoff Report has determined that Heavy Construction Academy meets Ripoff Report Verified™ standards include a commitment to make a good faith effort to resolve any consumer complaints. Members of the Corporate Advocacy Business Remediation and Customer Satisfaction program do pay a fee for our on-site review, 24 hour monitoring and for support with customers to resolve any disagreements.





Ripoff Report sends a 3rd party service to do an onsite inspection of the new member business. The on-site inspection / review does not mean that the products or services offered by the business have been evaluated or endorsed by Ripoff Report, and has not made a determination as to the business' product quality or competency in performing services. We can verify, that Ripoff Report went to the business, verified their business or “work from home business”, there for, if a customer in the future does not get treated correctly, Ripoff Report can get the problem resolved. If not, and the customers is right, the member business will be taken off the Corporate Advocacy Program. Remember, Ripoff Report emailed every customer from the past that filed a complaint to make sure the member business made things right with customers from the past. Again, to err on the side of their customer, those from the past and those in the future.

Read more about why consumers should feel confident when doing business with a member of Ripoff Report's Corporate Advocacy Business Remediation & Customer Satisfaction Program. Yes, it’s a long name for a program that does a lot for both consumers and businesses alike.

Read about Ripoff Report Corporate Advocacy Business Remediation & Customer Satisfaction Program, a program that benefits the consumer, assures them of complete satisfaction and confidence when doing business with a member business. This program works.

As a matter of policy, when a business becomes a member of the Corporate Advocacy Program they agree to allow Ripoff Report to contact every client who filed a complaint so they can make things right with them. In order to confirm that the complaints were resolved, Ripoff Report is copied on all responses so we can insure that the member business did right by their customer.

NOW TO THE ORIGINAL REPORT THAT WAS FILED

----------------------------------

HCA Heavy Construction Academy, NCHA NorthEast Heavy Construction Academy, Heavy Equipment Operator Training School, Crane Training School. Heavy Construction, Heavy Equipment, New Hampshire HCA, TOTAL WASTE OF MONEY! Lied and Ripped ME off!!! Brentwood , New Hampshire

ABOUT THE RIPOFF REPORT BELOW:

Ripoff Report would like to let readers know that Ripoff Report emailed this customer so the member business could make things right with them. When a business joins the Corporate Advocacy Program, Ripoff Report emails everyone from the past so the member business can make things right with them. Of course, everything within reason. In order to confirm that the complaints were resolved, Ripoff Report is copied on all responses so we can insure that the member business did right by their customer. Ripoff Report has always had a uniform policy to not remove Reports. Ripoff Report is a permanent record. The record is now set straight. The Author of the Report below never responded to Ripoff Reports email to make things right with them.


STATEMENT FROM HEAVY CONSTRUCTION ACADEMY:

We offered to put the complainer's son through the school again-he was not interested. We tried to do what was right.

NOW TO THE ORIGINAL REPORT THAT WAS FILED

-----------------------------------

TOTAL Waste of Money...

Was told I'd be a "certified" operator when I graduated, and that I'd be "trained" while I was there...

NEITHER are true! - And I was a "top" student. I'm not a young kid... I've been around construction my whole life! I know the same now after 9 weeks as when I started - except now I owe $12,995 I had to borrow drom my grandmother and NEITHER of us could afford to spend!

I wish I'd have listened to people I know that tried to tell me it was a wothless papermill... Now I'm paying the price.  I have NOTHING to show for 9 weeks and a lot of cash.

I got sold. Plain and simple. 



14 Updates & Rebuttals

henry krinkle

Fair Lawn,
New Jersey,
USA
Those that can,do.Those that can't,teach.

#2REBUTTAL Owner of company

Thu, May 03, 2012

You'd all be better off learning this on the job.Instead of going into debt,you'd draw a paycheck.


Questions?

New Hampshire,
United States of America
Why is this always the case?

#3Consumer Comment

Thu, May 03, 2012

I have looked at trucking companies for training, read reviews (do a google for training school or company you are looking at with complaints at the end) and just today I heard about this school in Brentwood NH which offered a number of great courses. I also looked at ATS (Associated Training School) which had great things like TT Driving for taking the equipment to the site, Wheeled and Tracked training which allows you to unload the equipment at the site and start working.

Every d**n time I do the above search for a training company I read every time issues that the training was not at all what it was thought to be. This is truly disappointing to say the least and a complete and in writing (with hours) course outline should be discussed and understood prior to the customer signing up. They should also have to sign a agreement that both parties have been informed and it's understood that this is what they will receive and nothing else.

I have read many of these reports and I think that many schools could help prevent these issues by providing an course outline with a number of hours in training for each segment of the course so that it's understood what the outcome is for this section. There also should be a class limit on number of students as I've read about having to many students and not all of them get the ability to get ample use. Also there are students that learn at a slower/faster pace then others. The way to prevent this would be to have an operator test to see what their level of competence is.

For myself I have spent 15 years in IT. So the instructors/consumers reading this are now saying OMG an intellectual preach by someone who doesn't know anything about equipment. Well I'm here to tell you that I spent 25 years in the start of my life working on our and other farms. The last 10 years were for equipment operation such as plowing, loader, forklift, back h*e, etc and I am no slouch to many. My requirements for this or a course like this would be to gain advanced training on some equipment and basic and advanced training on other types of equipment such as cranes and back-h*e bulldozer. Although I've run all of the said listed it may not be to the level that said company would say is adequate.

I just want an honest company that will do what they say they will and at the end have a REAL program to provide it's students with REAL companies the THEY have partnered with and / or have connections to and provide them with interviews. If there are no jobs for this then this is reality and would go further than just a list of construction companies. I can get this from Google.
 

Report Attachments

anonymous

United States of America
I think the rumors are true

#4Consumer Comment

Tue, December 20, 2011

I fully believe this is a front for the mob to launder money or something... I wasted 15k on the "school" then I look on here and there are tons of pissed off people... How could a legitimate company stay in business offering basically nothing for 15k... ? You tell me


Truckn_4_Life

New Hampshire,
United States of America
I should have believed the reviews...

#5Consumer Comment

Tue, August 30, 2011

... when they were sellin me on coming to the school I looked it up online and found these reports...  I questioned them about em but they told me it was just a disgruntled student and not to worry.

Against my better judgement I came anyway, and boy am I sorry.

I got very little machine time, preformed only basic tasks, got no real hands on help, and walked out with a certificate of completion that Ive since found out doesn't certify me for anything.

Looks like it's back to driving a truck for me






NHCA

Brentwood,
New Hampshire,
USA
Still trying to help

#6UPDATE Employee

Fri, July 15, 2011

My name is Alex DelVecchio. I am the Training Director at HCA. Its been made clear that RipoffReport.com is very effective at keeping their content main-stream, therefore Id like to personally address some issues here.

First and foremost, the accusation/implication that the owner (or anyone else involved in the company for that matter) is in ANY way related to the mafia is absolutely absurd -- not to mention borderline illegal (libel/defamation). It is nothing more than a childish rumor that must have been started by an immature student.

Secondly, to avoid fueling the fire, I invite anyone to call us and inquire about the school or come visit us and see for yourself what our program is like. We have nothing to hide. Feel free to email me personally or call me directly and leave a message. I will provide my contact information below and would be more than happy to speak with anyone who has any questions, concerns, or interest in the program.

Finally, let it be clear that we NEVER turn away a student in need even/especially when the student has graduated. It would be great if the original poster would contact us so we might have the chance to work on a solution to the problem he/she seems to be having. There are no hard feelings, and we would be more than happy to help you work this out if we can.

Alex DelVecchio
Training director
[email protected]              
603-772-9002 ext. 304


operator_man

Beverly,
Massachusetts,
USA
Is this an HCA employee?

#7Author of original report

Tue, July 05, 2011

... because it really sounds like it... I find it odd that a HAPPY HCA graduate would go on ripoff report.com, AFTER he's graduated and has a job, and search for HCA... Something tells me either that is an HCA employee or HCA cherrypicked a graduate who has found a job and offered him something to go on here and post a lenghty 'rebuttal.'

I will repeat: I don't know anyone from my graduating class that has found a job yet. Period. No amount of HCA employees posting as consumors on RR.com can change that.

And I don't appreciate the suggestion that I'm lazy and expected a job to be handed to me! I've put in 200+ applications and resumes ALL OVER THE COUNTRY... I have no criminal record and I have a steady work history w/ some construction background....  Yet I'm told my certificate isn't recognised...

Don't take my word for it, talk to local companies before you sign up for this school... see what they recognise or what it takes to get a job as an operator there...

The school told me NOT to do that before I signed up, and that 'if I did ALL companies would say 'no' only because I didn't have my certificate yet... But if I did have it in hand when I went to the company, it's be different... ' 

Don't fall for that one like I did.  Do you homework, and believe what the companies tell you regarding employement before hand.. Because it is the same thing they say after you graduate!!

Trust me, I know!


SteveB

New York,
New York,
United States of America
HCA Gave Me Exactly What They Said They Would

#8General Comment

Tue, July 05, 2011

If you say that HCA "ripped you off," you weren't paying attention at all when you were first interested in the school.  I'm not really sure why you put "certified" and "trained" in quotation marks, but those are the exact two things that the Heavy Construction Academy provides as their admissions representatives clearly stated before I attended the program last month.

When I was first contacted by an admissions rep (I believe his name was Steve?) I was looking to break into the construction industry as it has been a life-long goal of mine.  Since the rep told me HCA provides certification and training and prepares students for an ENTRY LEVEL position, the program sounded perfect for me.  It was.  Did I leave the program feeling like I had mastered every aspect of the heavy equipment industry?  Hardly, but that would be impossible to accomplish in a few short months and HCA did not mislead me at any point as far as that is concerned.

Considering regulations and licenses differ across all states, it would be unreasonable to assume that HCA can give its students a "license" of some sort instead of "just" a certification, which seems to be something that makes you feel like you've been ripped off.

The thing that annoys me about people who rag on HCA is you can tell each and every one of them expect to have their hand held and be handed a job when they graduate.  Does it work like that at any major university in America?  Sure, colleges provide four years of education, but at the end of it isn't a degree nothing more than a "slip of paper?"  You have to go out and use what you've learned to earn a position in the real world once all is said and done.

Maybe I'm a little biased since I was able to find work upon graduating with the help of HCA's instructors, but my current employer has said a countless amount of good things about my being prepared for the position I earned.  I certainly wouldn't consider myself to be a master operator at this point in my career, but if it were not for my experience at HCA I would not have known the right way to do things and would never have been able to just break into the construction field.  Don't let the bad experience of one person ruin your opinion if you're considering attending this school!


SteveB

New York,
New York,
United States of America
HCA Gave Me Exactly What They Said They Would

#9General Comment

Tue, July 05, 2011

If you say that HCA "ripped you off," you weren't paying attention at all when you were first interested in the school.  I'm not really sure why you put "certified" and "trained" in quotation marks, but those are the exact two things that the Heavy Construction Academy provides as their admissions representatives clearly stated before I attended the program last month.

When I was first contacted by an admissions rep (I believe his name was Steve?) I was looking to break into the construction industry as it has been a life-long goal of mine.  Since the rep told me HCA provides certification and training and prepares students for an ENTRY LEVEL position, the program sounded perfect for me.  It was.  Did I leave the program feeling like I had mastered every aspect of the heavy equipment industry?  Hardly, but that would be impossible to accomplish in a few short months and HCA did not mislead me at any point as far as that is concerned.

Considering regulations and licenses differ across all states, it would be unreasonable to assume that HCA can give its students a "license" of some sort instead of "just" a certification, which seems to be something that makes you feel like you've been ripped off.

The thing that annoys me about people who rag on HCA is you can tell each and every one of them expect to have their hand held and be handed a job when they graduate.  Does it work like that at any major university in America?  Sure, colleges provide four years of education, but at the end of it isn't a degree nothing more than a "slip of paper?"  You have to go out and use what you've learned to earn a position in the real world once all is said and done.

Maybe I'm a little biased since I was able to find work upon graduating from HCA, but my current employer has said a countless amount of good things about my being prepared for the position I earned.  I certainly wouldn't consider myself to be a master operator at this point in my career, but if it were not for my experience at HCA I would not have known the right way to do things and would never have been able to just break into the construction field.  Don't let the bad experience of one person ruin your opinion if you're considering attending this school!


operator_man

Beverly,
Massachusetts,
USA
FYI

#10Author of original report

Thu, June 30, 2011

I probably should have specified this in the last rebuttle so that it's clear, but I am the author of the original complaint and I wrote the last rebuttle "still feeling ripped off"...

I chose to also use the anomous Display Name 'operator_man' as did another ex student commenter, and I believe I already expressed why I felt the need for anonymity!! 

But as you can see, my rebuttal is listed as "update by Author" and the other operator_man's as a "Consumer Comment."

Also as you can see, I dissagree with the other operator_man that there is nothing bad to say about HCA. But from reading his posting it seemes like it was all just a vacation for him. It must be nice to not have to worry about paying a large student loan back with a family to support!


Operator_man

United States of America
Still feeling ripped-off

#11Author of original report

Wed, June 29, 2011

To Employee Rebuttal:

I wrote my complaint based on my FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE with your school. No, I'm not Tim and I don't live in beverly... this is my friends account (who told me about the service) as I don;t have a RR.com account of my own. And no,  I'm not telling you who I am, because I don't want my to risk getting my kneecaps bashed in!!
 
To Steven Bengis:

I don't doubt that your son is happy and proud on the machines, and enjoying operating them greatly. As he should be.  I'm sure that alone is worth the price for you and others.

BUT:  Your son has not yet graduated and talked to HUNDREDS of prospective employers who say they don't recognise the HCA diploma... I have.  Your son hasn't yet had to face being farther in debt and no closer to a job to support their family.  I have.

I and many others that I met while I was there.  The school and the career opportunities in this field WERE presented falsely to me, and I really hope by telling my story I can help even 1 person keep from making the same mistake I did..

For the people that want to have their picture taken and feel good operating machines, - Hca is great! - For everyone else that NEEDS a job or career, and can't afford to go 5 figures farther in debt and be no closer to one than when they started   -  hca is not so great.

And that's the truth.


Operator_man

United States of America
i went to HCA academy

#12Consumer Comment

Wed, June 29, 2011

I guess there r two complaints on here... 1 for HCA academy and one for NHCA.....but it's the same school in Brentwood... I just posted on the other one a little while ago, then I found this one..

Like I said on the other one, I went to this school and it was ok... I don't have no job yet but the trainin was ok for learning basic stuff... I never would have known how to move equpmant much less dig a trench.. so at least I know that stuff.

For me it was fun.. School was paid for me n my parents r very well off so not having a job yet isnt a big deal...  over all it was a cool experience I guess...

All the rest of the guys I went to school with don't hav jobs and rn't too thriled with hca academy, but that's their problem... 

I tell them and this guy the same thing - 'Yeah, they made it out to be something it wasn't before we enrolled ..So what! You shouldn;t have been borrown money to go to a school like this anyway. Thats a stupid risk in this economy. It's not the schools fault. Don't come on here and get all mad at them just because you are that dumb.'

leave hca alone!


NHCA

Brentwood,
New Hampshire,
USA
NHCA Response

#13UPDATE Employee

Mon, June 27, 2011

To Henry Krinkle:

NHCA is an entry level operator training school. Our goal is to prepare our students with the basic knowledge necessary to get started in the heavy  construction industry, with earthwork as a focus. We teach the basics of safe and effective equipment operation, preventative maintenance,  blueprint reading, grades, and other important information. A good  foreman may or may not have the time or ability to properly or effectively train a new operator while on the job site. As you are likely aware, learning "the hard way" on a job site can be a very costly if not deadly lesson that no one can afford. The monetary costs alone can often far exceed the price of tuition, even for our full 9-week program.

To Steven Bengis:

Thank you for taking the time to post your review. We're glad to hear that your son is enjoying his time here!

To the original poster:

Unfortunately there is little that can be said in response to your report. Our records don't show a Tim S. that graduated the 9-week program. If, however, there was an issue with receiving your certification, please contact us so that we may resolve that issue.


henry krinkle

Buford,
Georgia,
USA
You Have to Learn this Trade On-The-Job

#14Consumer Comment

Sat, June 25, 2011

There's way too much to learn for anyone to learn it in a matter of weeks. You might learn to drive it around, but the skill takes years. And some people just can't learn it. A good foreman with 30 to 50 years of experience is how you learn it. I know.I've done it since 1978.


Steven Bengis

United States of America
HCA provides excellent training experience

#15Consumer Comment

Sat, June 25, 2011

I just returned from a visit with my son who is attending the Level 2 training at HCA after spending three weeks completing Level 1.  What the writer posted about "not learning anything", HCA being a "ripoff" and a "paper mill" is so opposite both to my and my son's experience, and to what I observed on three different visits,  that I felt compelled to respond.

My son has never been in the trade, and had never operated any heavy equipment.  He is talented with machinery in general and I always thought heavy equipment might be his "ticket" to a decent paying job. The training isn't inexpensive and we too had to borrow the money to send him.  Within the first three weeks, he learned to operate a backhoe, skidder and bucket loader.  It's virtually impossible not learn anything when 80% of your time is spent practicing in the equipment you are being taught to operate. After completing the first three weeks, he signed up to continue with Level Two.  Yesterday, I watched him operate an excavator.  In addition, there is some classroom education and testing to ensure enough equipment knowledge to safely operate the machines and some teaching of job search and interviewing skills

It is true that HCA provides its own certification if students have successfully completed both the written and hands on parts of the training.  We knew it was a local certification when I agreed to send my son.  But, a "paper mill" is a business that offers a certification without providing quality training to obtain it.   That is far from the reality at HCA and I hope the above facts demonstrate that.


I have photos of a young man perched in a number of machines finally feeling like he has a talent that may lead to a career.  His instructors, all of whom are tradespeople, have been competent, patient, and "down to earth".  He is thriving.  The only "ripoff" here is a disgruntled former student who has some issue with HCA that he isn't sharing who has decided to "trash" them in ways that are so counter to the way they operate that any objective person would know that within ten minutes of a visit, which I strongly advise for anyone having second thoughts about attending based on this complaint. I administer a special education school in Massachusetts and if there were some way I could figure out how to pay the tuition for some of our students to attend HCA, I would do it in a heartbeat.

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