A man claims he was left paying for a vocational course sold under "misleading sales tactics," which was never delivered as promised.
Penarth resident Aled Robert Thomas has submitted extensive evidence to the Financial Ombudsman Service, describing "serious mis-selling, hidden learning requirements, and deliberate barriers to progression" by Train4Jobs, a now-liquidated national training provider.
Mr Thomas enrolled in a £7,145 "Renewable Energy Engineer" course in July 2016, financed through Caledonian Consumer Finance.
He claims that undisclosed assignments, repeated assessment blockages, and the provider's collapse, prevented him from completing the qualification.
His evidence pack includes documents obtained through a Subject Access Request (DSAR), complaint correspondence, financial records, and an addendum explaining the course's obstructive structure.
He alleges he was not informed about necessary Tutor Marked Assignments (TMAs) upon signing up.
These unaccredited tasks were essential for progress, and his repeated attempts were rejected for "minor issues."
Mr Thomas said: "I wasn’t told these TMAs existed when I signed up.
"They had nothing to do with the qualification and yet they controlled everything."
He also claims the salesman who visited his home used high-pressure sales tactics and failed to disclose important details about the course.
Mr Thomas said: "He told me everything I wanted to hear.
"He made the course sound accessible, flexible, and locally supported — none of which was true."
Despite the course being in dispute, his debt was transferred to a debt collector, causing years of distress.
Mr Thomas's complaint is strengthened by internal letters from Train4Jobs which avoid addressing his allegations, instead focusing on the 14–21 day cancellation period.
Documents from Caledonian Consumer Finance show missing affordability assessments, call logs, cancellation documentation, and credit agreement components.
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A Financial Ombudsman Service spokesperson said: "We investigate each case on its own merits, considering all the available evidence and the relevant rules to reach a fair decision for both consumers and businesses."
Mr Thomas believes his case highlights wider concerns about private training schemes that fail to deliver and leave learners in debt.
He is calling on the Welsh Government, Senedd Members, Trading Standards, and UK regulators, to investigate private vocational training and associated finance agreements.
He warns that people across Wales and the UK are being sold expensive courses that they cannot complete.
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