ComplaintsforKentucky Welding Institute

• Initial Complaint

  02/23/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  My son **** left a full-time job at ******* ****** to attend KWI for the Certified Pipe Welding (CPW) program after reviewing their website *************************************** and course catalog *******************************************  On 02-07-23, the day after orientation, he submitted a check for $23,650. KWI then cashed the check the very next day. After completing the first two days of classes, 16 hours in total, **** was disappointed in the curriculum because the course began with plate welding. According to the course catalog, the CPW program is a 24-week course of pipe welding. The CPW course catalog did not and does not mention anything of plate welding. Furthermore, after **** had a discussion with a student in the same program who was soon to graduate, he informed **** that he was unfortunately taking a structural steel welding job because he felt that he did not gain enough pipe welding experience since he spent more time welding plate as opposed to a pipe. As a result, **** withdrew from the CPW program and returned home to Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, KWI only reimbursed $13,000 of the $23,650 cost. On 02-13-23, my wife, son, and I pleaded with three different KWI administrators in an attempt to get a greater refund, but they declined. I asked for a course syllabus, but I was told to reference the course catalog on the website which does not mention plate welding as part of the 24 week pipe welding program. One administrator informed us that if **** stayed beyond 2pm on 02-13-23, then we would receive even less reimbursement! To lose $10,650 for two days of classes is financially hurtful! We were told that this is "policy". We responded that we were willing to pay the $3,000 for housing, the $1,000 for tools, and even $2,000 for both days, but to lose $10,650 is extremely greedy! Since KWI gets new students every two weeks, ****** placement and housing are most likely filled.

  

  Business response

  03/07/2023

  Students scheduled at Kentucky Welding Institute are provided with a plethora of documents which must be reviewed and completed prior to attending their enrollment orientation at KWI.  One specific required document is the student catalog (see attachment).  The student catalog gives specific information on the variety of programs offered at KWI as well as course curriculum, costs associated with each program and procedures of training.  All students undergo a 3-4 hour orientation and enrollment process on the Monday of their class start week.  This orientation, led by the Director of Training, verbally outlines school policy and expectations for training and conduct; these policies are also found in the student catalog.  The enrollment process which occurs after orientation involves payment of tuition and fees as well as signing their enrollment agreement(see attachment) which again outlines all details of what the student is paying as well as refund policies.  Students are specifically required to acknowledge they have read the student catalog as well as the withdraw and refund policy to ensure they are cognizant of the agreement they are entering with KWI.  The programs at KWI are self pacing, therefore students may enter with a greater or lesser skill and advance through the course at differing rates.  The goal is for all students to attain a core skill set and certifications, with the possibility of advanced placement and certification attainment.  

  The course curriculum does identify plate specific welding in the CPW program.  We are unable to alter our refund policy for specific individuals.  The housing agreement is non refundable.  A detailed explanation with further detail and cross references to the documents signed by the student is attached.  All items provided are proprietary to KWI and should not be shared or posted with further consent of the KWI Director. 

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩