The Skills Network - Selby

S

Absolutely awful service. I was the only woman on a course with 15+ men and during the session in the breakout groups I was constantly spoken over/ignored and chat messages were also ignored. My tutors response to this was to blame me for not mentioning this during the session. They absolutely refused to make any adjustments for me so I could continue the course and then withdrew me with no warning. If you’re woman considering doing one of their course AVOID. Gender based discrimination is perfectly fine for them in 2025.

Valentyn

I attended the Software Development Skills Bootcamp in 2024. Unfortunately, my experience did not align with the promises made in the course advertising or by the Learning Advisors, who painted a picture of a bright future after completing the programme. The Careers Support Team and Personal Tutor support were also far below expectations, and the course description on their website did not reflect the reality of the programme.

The course content was disappointing, with 95% focused on theory through slide presentations, which tutors merely read aloud, and only 5% dedicated to actual coding — an alarming statistic for a software development course. Communication between the Learning Advisors, Personal Tutors, and Careers Team was disjointed, with no clear understanding of responsibilities. For example, the Learning Advisors claimed the Careers Team would provide individualised job-seeking support, yet it took the Careers Team two months to respond to a single email. When they finally did reply, their response was unprofessional and dismissive, including one instance where they simply asked, "What do you want?" in response to an enquiry I made via WhatsApp after receiving a Skills Network bot message about needing support. Personal Tutor who is supposed to guide you with 1:1 support has no knowledge and experience in coding and the software at all, doing only administrative tasks like asking how is our course.

It is disappointing that such issues persist in a programme funded by government resources through the Department for Education. These funds are intended to help eligible students gain skills and secure employment. However, in my experience, the quality of training provided by this bootcamp was subpar. The guaranteed job interview, a key selling point and a requirement for obtaining the course certificate, was not delivered.

Emily H.

Terrible course. I was disappointed to be accused of cheating during my first unit. Especially as the assessor couldn't tell me why they thought that. Everytime I would email, they wouldn't get back to me. There was a lot of repetition throughout the course. The answers to the assignment questions weren't all covered in the course meaning that you had to teach yourself through other methods. Everything they asked you in the assignment, should have been taught in the course.

Paul G.

Would recommend finding a different course provider, they’re really difficult to get through to. Never sent me on an interview even though it’s part of the course requirements after passing. Overall regret the course seemed like a waste of time also you don’t get a certificate for completing and passing the course.

Leanne S.

I applied for a course last week and I still haven't heard anything from them. All I wanted to do was my Level 2 Business Administration Course but not heard anything since I applied. Very disappointed.

Five S.

£100 charge because you find learning difficult and you can't complete as quick as they would like. Not exactly the right support for a learning institution is it!

Give these guys a wide berth!

anna D.

I’ve applied, enrolled and finished the course without any issues. My tutor was always on time with her feedback and there was a lot of work, but it was achievable and all necessary literature was provided.

Jasmin R.

I don't think I could have had a worse experience. Work was never marked when it was supposed to have been, not even months later was it marked after I'd followed up on it. Over a year after completing the course and not received my certificate, I sent several complaints in to be told I was never even enrolled properly (despite completing all the work and having it all marked, ergo passing the course) and told the course had now changed so I had to complete further work. Completed the additional questions anyway, despite my annoyance, and even then, had to complain several times before I was sent my certificate out. My partner is currently completing a course and has had no feedback, no work marked or anything and it's been months. The course might be funded by other companies but there is no excuse to deliver this poor quality of service to anybody trying to get additional education. Wouldn't bother doing another course as I don't have the time or patience chasing up on it for months on end. Told my partner not to bother either. He won't be paying for the course if unfinished because the company hasn't delivered any level of service that was promised upon signing up for the course.