Today’s job market demands new skills, and career training schools, both public and private, offer training that can help you prepare for a new career. But which ones will really help you land a job?

Better Business Bureau can help you narrow your search. BBB Reliability Reports show whether the school has been the subject of complaints from students and others and give you information such as who runs the school or how long it has been in business. The reports are available online at www.tucson.bbb.org. “It pays to check out a school’s credentials and its success at placing graduates,” said Kim States, BBB President. “While most vocational schools do a good job of training students, there are some operators who are more interested in collecting tuition than in providing valuable training.”
Just as with buying a new appliance, it pays to do some comparison shopping to determine the cost, the course offerings and other aspects that may make a particular school the right one for your schedule, your budget and the skills you need. The following are some tips to help you find the right school:

• Obtain catalogs or bulletins from several schools, both public and private, that offer the training you are seeking. Ask whether the school is accredited by an organization recognized by the U.S. (more…)

March 7 is the kickoff to National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) and Better Business Bureau is a proud supporter of this nationwide effort to educate the public on how to become savvier consumers. For anyone looking for advice on how to spend money wisely, your Better Business Bureau is here to help, not just during National Consumer Protection Week but all year long.

For NCPW, hundreds of national and local organizations work together to educate consumers on the importance of taking control of their personal finances.  The theme of this year’s NCPW is Dollars and Sense, Rated A for All Ages and highlights consumer education for every stage of life – from grade school to retirement.

“The economy is still in a slump and, now more than ever, consumers need to take control of their spending habits and be vigilant against fraud and scams,” said Alison Southwick, BBB spokesperson. “We encourage everyone to take time to get educated during National Consumer Protection Week and keep BBB in their back pocket as a tool for protecting their hard earned dollars in the coming year.”

Following are just a few ways that BBB can help consumers shop smarter and safer.  BBB is here to help if…

• You need every-day advice on how to manage your money and be a savvy consumer. BBB has created hundreds of tips columns and consumer alerts on personal finance topics such as how to build a family budget, hire a contractor or avoid the latest scams. Advice you can trust is available online at bbb.org.

• You need help finding a business you can trust. The BBB Accredited Business Locator can help you find businesses in your area that uphold BBB’s rigorous standards and have made a commitment to support the work of BBB. There are nearly 400,000 BBB accredited businesses (more…)