9 Updates & Rebuttals Read More About : 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.
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.
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
PLEASE read this if you are considering attending The Northeast Heavy Construction Academy or HCA as they call themselves.... My advice, - DON'T make the same mistake I and my son did! Ignore their calls, and don't waste your time or money!
Bottom Line:
1. My son DID NOT receive a 'credential' from Heavy Construction Academy to operate equipment. He received a "Certificate of Graduation" - a worthless piece of paper - (that I later found out they print on an office printer there) and which has NOT been recognized by ANY companies out of over 50 I've called so far.
2. My son got VERY LIMITED experience on equipment. Hour here or there "digging holes" as he explained to me, - which is a FAR CRY from what it say's in their brochure, much less what the HCA sales rep told me on the phone!
3. Heavy Construction Academy is a very good sales company, they are not a heavy equipment operator school. I could have rented a few machines for 2 weeks and brought a $99 home study course and my son would have learned MORE about heavy equipment operation.
Here's what happened:
A few months back my adult son was unemployed due to the economy and I was online looking at areers for him to go into. I thought about Heavy Equipment,or Heavy Equipment Operation, - perhaps even Crane Operator for him. He always loved heavy equipment and cranes, and it seemed like a good paying career that he'd actually like. Somehow I arrived on the site of the Heavy Construction Academy. The HCA site looked nice and had some good info, so I requested abrochure in my sons name.
The next day a sales guy from HCA called the house the first time. (Don't remember name) He asked me some questions and I told him that we were justlooking at options for our son... Looking back I can see just how smooth their sales pitch is!! It totally fooled me! Somehow from requesting a brochure I
ended up on the phone with the main Sales Rep 'Steve Franks' (I believe) and next thing you know we were driving up for one of their sales pitch days!!
When at HCA, All of my questions and concerns got turned around on me, and all I was told was how Heavy Construction Academy had the best everything, and would give my son the training to get the job, and they ask if he was 'up to the task' , because if he was he would succeed.. bla bla bla.
Next came some really confusing story about financing... 'It's through a separate lender, but we take the application, but it's separate, but the school owner has to approve it, but there is no info on this other "lender" ' ... - It all sounded FAR to fishey to me, so I decided to pay cash for my son. - Cash I couldn't afford to lose. And I did.
My son tells me all the other guys at school had similar stories, as several were going to get together and contact the state board of education, - but there was a rumor that the owner (some Boston Italian guy) is some kind of wise guy or was in the mafia or something, and that complaints about HCA weren't
'handled' well. So no one has had the courage to. I'm posting this anonymously for that very reason!
I'll say it again, - the sales reps over at Heavy construction academy are VERY, VERY good. I have my own business and I'd like to think im pretty sharp .. - Heavy construction academy fooled me, and then stole my money! take my advice, - PLEASE run from HCA. There are better ways to become a heavy equipment or crane operator than wasting thousands. Start as a laborer on a crew and work your way in... (Which is what my son was told at the HCA graduation that he'd have to do, - after I spent 13k for 'heavy equipment operator training and certification' at the heavy construction "academy") What a joke!
I hope this helps someone!
-Ripped off and unhappy
ABNSmith
Fayetteville,#2Consumer Comment
Tue, October 23, 2012
And gained employment based on the school in less than three weeks.
he enjoyed his time there, and enjoys his work.
enough said
anonymous
United States of America#3Consumer Comment
Tue, December 20, 2011
I fully agree Zeb, 15k or whateve ir is now is way, way too much.. (It was 12k for 9 weeks several years ago when I lookied into it!!! ) it was a mistake on my part to go....
And they lie... Its not as represented. They had me talk to this student when I was there as like a referral... but I found out later they paid him! The sales rep Steve paid him 100$ to say good things about the school when I came for my tour!! And he only came clean after I graduated, and learned he was a friend of a friend!! That has to be illegal!! Right? I mean, I know its not a real school, like accredited.. but it still is wrong.
zeb tupper
canton,#4Consumer Comment
Sun, December 04, 2011
I just graduated from HCA i thought it was a very informative school.......you study in 3 week periods and for about a week and half you dont do any work what so ever you just learn the controls which is very boring but something you need to know i feel too much time is spent indoors and this school in my eyes is about trial and error also more efficient ways of running machinery. There is definetly more room for improvement in terms of curriculum with the school as in hands on and not classroom. Also they have the CAT 330 and also the Dressta TD15 which is on site but students cant use which is just stupid. One other reccomendation i have for the school is to quit raising prices on courses 15,000 $ is quite steep for 6 weeks of training that was just the price when i went they have recently raised it. On the good side the instructors are great and have lots of wisdom to share.
Gus
United States of America#5Consumer Comment
Mon, November 28, 2011
I am signed up for the next class. My cousin went there, and he got a job within two months. I can't say it was definitely because of their certification, but I think it helped that is why I'm going.
disgusted
newark,#6Consumer Comment
Sat, November 19, 2011
the web site and the sign at the school says "crane operator school" but they dont offer training in crane ..tried to get my money back and wasa told I just had to take the training that they offer ....
Anonymous
United States of America#7Consumer Suggestion
Tue, November 15, 2011
I went to HCA, and it was good training. Whether or not a company knows about their certification is irrelevant, you put it on your resume. It helps you get a job.
Truckn_4_Life
New Hampshire,#8Consumer Comment
Fri, September 02, 2011
... I actually read that first guys report before I came to school, but the salesman at the school talked me out of believing it... He said that it was a disgruntled grad that probably didn't have a job and was blaming the school... He told me to come out to a free seminar to see that the school was legit... So I did. - And the free seminar was great! And I talked to a bunch of other guys that liked it, So I signed up! -
- BIG MISTAKE -
Now Im graduated and job hunting NO COMPANY recognises my certificate... ive turned in hundreds of applications all over the country with no success... I can't even get a laborer job on a crew!! ...I totally wasted All that money. And Im not upset with HCA academy.. they have a product to sell like any other company... I just wish it didn't have to cost me many thousans with 0 benefit to me besides a vacation from home...
Operator_man
United States of America#9Consumer Comment
Wed, June 29, 2011
...and it was ok. I'm not gonna say anything bad about it..
The only thing really is that I cant find a job.. put in over 100 applicatins and no one seems to honeor this HCA academy certification and most just arnt hiring now..
And I do kinda see what this guy is saying tho because it was made to seem much better than it actually was once I was there... But it was fun and it wasn't my money so it's all good!
I can say that if you like NEED a job, this probably aint your best bet.. im in touch w/ the guys from my class and none have jobs yet... One is like really pissed at the school... thinks they lied to him about financing and wanted me to get in on a class action lawsuit... i didnt finance so I cant tho..
.. like i saud it was ok .. and I learned sum basic stuff - so they are cool with me
I did heat that rumor about the owner tho.. - wouldn't surprise me ! lol
NHCA
Brentwood,#10UPDATE Employee
Mon, June 27, 2011
As an established training facility we have successfully trained and certified hundreds of heavy equipment operators. It saddens us to learn that any student did not have a positive experience while at our school. We are shocked that someone would go so far as to slander an individuals credibility through association based on rumor of ethnicity. For the record the rumor is false.
However to address the issue of credential, our certificate of completion has served as the needed credential for hundreds of both experienced and non-experienced graduates to either further or start their careers as heavy equipment operators.
Presently there are no national requirements for the certification of heavy equipment operators. The credential supplied through the school serves as verification of formal training. This verification of training, especially for the non-expensed operator, will play a major role in that individuals ability to find employment in the industry.
Although the exercises differ from season to season they are all in fact designed and tested to impart the necessary skills required for each student to satisfy the equipment proficiencies of each level of training.
NHCA is not by any means a sales company. We do not hire sales representatives. Our admissions representatives simply facilitate the transition into the program from both a financial and logistical standpoint.
In conclusion, we do work hard to provide quality training for our students. We strive to provide open and continuous communication between students and faculty to ensure that expectations are being met and it truly saddens us to find out about an issue after the student has left.