Dave,
While I have reservations about programs that guarantee successful passage of the CWI exams, I do not slight any educational opportunities for anyone.
I have told many people that even if they are not qualified to take the exams they would be very impressed with and learn a lot from the seminar. Even if one buys all the books and studies at home, the seminar has much to offer that you won't learn by yourself. And I'm sure that there are many that would benefit more from a two week program than from a one week crash course.
Therein lays the rub, for just educational opportunities that is fine. BUT, when it comes to taking the exam to become a CWI, you should already know most of what the seminar presents. It is designed to be a refresher course and get your mind into gear and focused on the required material.
If there is indepth teaching that needs to be done, they weren't qualified, skilled, knowledgeable enough in the first place. I don't want to see the CWI exams cheapened by getting people passed as inspectors who are not even close to being where they need to be.
Then, you must be kidding?? 3-4 at a time? How is any money made at that rate? Even at the costs stated above there is a lot of overhead involved. AWS provides lunch, books, instructor, and other materials. The hotels generally provide breakfast. Our people have to fend for themselves for dinner for one week.
And we generally have 30 people at a seminar. Cheaper, presented by those who developed the system. I don't know, I just don't get it. It is a free enterprise based country but some things just don't make sense. I know where I am going to continue to send people.
Have a Great Day, Brent