Complaint Review: Sage Technical Services - Camp Hill Pennsylvania

Bert applied for admission to SAGE on August 14, 2001. During the interview Bert stated that he had knee surgery in 1998 but that he did not think it would restrict his ability to drive a truck. He was informed by myself of DOT (Dept of Transportation) physical requirements and that he would need to pass a medical/physical exam to be admitted into SAGE. He was also facing a lay-off and was referred to myself to Broome Empl Ctr for Workforce Devel Funding (a government agency that funds re-training to qualified applicants). On September 26, 2001, Bert contacted the SAGE school again and stated that he was in a hurry to begin classes and that he could not go through the "red tape" involved in obtaining the grant. He decided upon a private loan to fund his education. On November 7, 2001, Bert passed a DOT physical administered by an independent third party DOT clinic. His exam was without restrictions and/or limitations. SAGE helped Bert obtain two letters of "prehire" from nationally recognized employers to that he would be confident of his knee surgery not preventing him from obtaining employment with a major over the road carrier. Having now met all of SAGE's admisson requirements, Bert was accepted into school and began classes on November 11, 2001. Bert read and signed an Enrollment Agreement, which clearly states that he would receive national job placement assistance, but that no school can guarantee a student a job - only an employer is able to do that. During the second week of training, Bert was assisted by staff here on many personal issues that were well beyond our obligations. All SAGE staff went out of our way to assist Bert in completing the course and obtaining a CDL-A, which he did on December 13, 2001 after ONLY one New York state road exam. Upon his graduation, Bert's exit interview and student critique gave our school, program and staff an excellent rating. Bert decided to accept the prehire from Werner Enterprises and began orientation there on February 11, 2002. During the DOT physical (administered by Werner Enterprises) apparently Bert informed them that he had a serious knee injury that would prevent him from lifting. Because he did not meet their hiring criteria, Bert was sent home from Werner on February 12, 2002. Bert returned to the SAGE school for placement assistance on February 13, 2002, and we processed an additional eleven applications for employment. Bert continually informed me that he was denied employment by all companies - yet he would give conflicting reasons for the denials. Initially, Bert stated that no-one would hire him because of surgery, then he began telling me that he was denied because he had allowed so much time to expire before accepting an offer of employment. Bert then asked me to help him get state money so he could come through SAGE's refresher course. I told Bert that if he could NOT obtain employment due to his injury being more serious than originially described to me, that it would not be ethical on SAGE's part to take the money. He then stated he COULD obtain employment if he went through a refersher course. This conversation took place on March 21, 2002 and it was the last contact I had with Bert until a letter dated May 20, 2002 demanded a full refund of school tuition because due to "arthritis" in his knee, he could not get a job. All attempts from March 21, 2002-May 20, 2002 to contact Bert regarding local employment openings were futile because his phone was disconnected and my written correspondence was ignored. At NO time, as he claims, was Bert denied a refresher course, nor did he mention lifting restrictions, arthritis and/or physical limitations while applying to or being accepted at SAGE. Morever, Bert has apparantly been unable to convince at least 12 other reputable companies (by attitude and appearance) that he would be a good employee. If Bert truly desires employment, why does he inform companies of restrictions that were NOT disclosed to SAGE and are NOT present on his DOT Physical Long Form? Equally important is that if SAGE failed Bert in the areas he describes, why does he want to return and receive additional training from us? In conclusion, SAGE met and actually exceeded all requirements and obligations in training, graduating and providing job placement assitance for Bert. All documents verifying my statements and my rebuttal are available at the Vestal, New York SAGE location. SAGE has one of the best national reputations as a truck driving school and has been rated the "best school in the country" by leading internet truck driving school guide at www.truckschoolsusa.com Respectfully submitted, Suzzette M. Cachilli, School Director SAGE Technical Services - Vestal, New York