BUYERS have been found for collapsed training firms in Kidderminster and Hartlebury which left thousands of students in limbo.

Advent Computer Training, which has an office in Kidderminster has been bought by Dudley-based Computeach.

Some assets of Access 2 Trade Careers in Hartlebury have been purchased by OLCI Construction Training, the nationwide provider of plumbing, gas and electrical training.

The announcement has given hope to students who took out bank finance deals to pay for their courses.

It is still uncertain whether students who paid cash up front will get any back, though.

Both Computeach and OLCI were confirmed as preferred training partners by Barclays Partner Finance, which provided third party loans to students to fund their courses.

Administrator Ian Gould, a partner at PKF in Birmingham, said: “The sale of the assets of the two businesses, allied with the partnership arrangements with Barclays Partner Finance, should enable the majority of students to continue their courses if they wish to do so.

“The future of the students was always paramount during the negotiations of the last few weeks and I am confident we have secured the best possible solution.”

In January, students turned up to Advent’s Kidderminster centre in Green Street expecting to take exams, only to find a sign on the door saying the firm had been “unable to secure ongoing funding”.

Some paid up to £6,000 in course fees each and have been battling to get their money back.

Advent provided IT training to around 6,500 students across the UK, while Access 2 Careers offered plumbing and electrical courses to more than 3,000.

The administrators said they would contact the small number of students who had not financed their courses via Barclays to explore ways of helping them continue their studies.

Computeach managing director Karl Parkinson said: “Barclays has shown leadership during this uncertain time for students and we are delighted to be chosen as their preferred training partner. We look forward to working with the students in order to deliver new skills and a real chance of securing rewarding and secure jobs in the IT industry.”

Advent and Access 2 Trades Careers employed about 250 people and had a joint annual turnover of £30 million.