Apple is planning to retire its long existing One to One training program within Apple Stores on September 28th, according to a memo sent this week to Apple retail employees. One to One launched in 2007 as a $99 per year subscription program where a Mac user could make appointments with a “Creative” at an Apple Store to learn more about using their Mac and creating content with either consumer or professional applications. Apple cites “fewer customers” signing up for One to One as the reason behind the service’s upcoming closure:
On September 28th, we will be ending One to One sales and renewals. Since 2007, there One to One program has given the opportunity to teach members how to get the most out of their products and acquire new skills.
As our products and programs have evolved, fewer customers are taking advantage of One to One. We want to offer rich learning experiences to all members of our community, and elevate Creatives as leaders of these experiences.
Apple’s memo tells employees that One to One training will be replaced with the recently upgraded Workshops program.:
Open Training and Thematic Workshops are great options. Thematic Workshops offer dynamic learning where customers learn from the instructor and other participants. Open Training encourages a collaborative learning environment for One to One members to work on their goals. We’ll be providing guidance to increase the number of Thematic Workshops that your store will offer to customers.
MacRumors reported yesterday that One to One would be retired in favor of Workshops. Apple tells retail staff that the September 28th shut down will mean both new signups and renewals will stop, but existing memberships will remain active until they expire. A key component of One to One sessions has been data migration, and Apple has indicated that it will be launching updated standalone migration programs for a fee in the fall. Apple’s One to One website will also begin to shut down toward the end of September, and Apple tells employees to inform members to transfer notes saved to the One to One portal to a word processor by the 27th.
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Maybe I’ll create my own OnetoOne service… hmmm….
Damn! You mean I won’t be able to spend another $99 for a trainer to teach me what I all ready know or could have learned on my own.
Just because you can do something doesn’t mean others aren’t intimidated by the idea of even attempting it.
Good, now fewer people will have to subject themselves to the horrible Apple retail store environment.
They are going back to free group classes.
One to one was enacted by the horrible ex apple retail manager as a way to milk more money out of previously free classes.
This is not true. One to One existed long before John Browett. Workshops have always been around and free regardless of One to One existing.
In my opinion, Apple’s new customers need a far better training environment than is now provided for in the TERRIBLE STORE ENVIRONMENT. The current WORKSHOP is better than nothing, but not much. What is wrong with a quiet classroom environment, even if you have to charge a fee I would be willing to pay it. Also, there should be the ability for customers to e-mail a question and have the question answered the same way.
For those of us who need some in depth teaching to navigate some of the programs, One to One has been a real blessing. I will miss that opportunity. I have used those sessions mostly to get the most out of my pictures and books and other organizational issues. I for one am sad not to be able to spend another $99 for those wonderful lessons I’ve been able to take. It ‘s just not the same in the Workshops which I have also attended. If you look around the store you will see many older patrons who did not cut their teeth on technology. It’s been great for us. You never had to spend the money if you didn’t want to. Too bad you’re dissing something you don’t the value of.
In proofreading my comment I see that a word is omitted. Darn. Too bad you’re dissing something you don’t know the value of.
I totally agree with Jackie’s comments above. I will dearly miss One-to-One training.
I agree, Jackie. I’m 72 years old, and I learn much better in the one-on-one environment than in a “class.” I’m not only disappointed that the One to One is ending, but I’m also frustrated that I’ve tried online for some time now to make an appointment, and the only thing showing was that times were not available, not anything about the program being cancelled, or that my store is no longer offering ANY training at all. I’m just now (May 5, 2016) finding out that the program no longer exists. Apple has my e-mail address; why was I not notified personally and given the option of a refund? I just renewed last August, and I feel someone should have told me it was coming to an end, instead of taking my $99 and never notifying me! I feel ripped off!!!!!
I agree with you 100%, Jackie. I loved visiting the Apple Store in Santa Barbara and learning how to make the most of my MacBook Pro. I had been a pc user, and making the transition was much easier with the help of the trainers. I found the trainers knowledgeable, helpful, and patient. This experience over a 3 year period made me a loyal Apple fan. I still have lots of questions–hope I can find a way to get help!
Cook & Ahrendts strike again. Why don’t they just open a fashion accessories shop?
What a lot of horrible negative comments. I loved my one to one lessons. Without them I would not know anything about the computer I use. I did not have laptops in kindergarten like the rest of you all – who can “teach yourselves” I welcomed these terrific young people and all their patience helping someone like me to understand the basics.I am really struggling with the new “photos” program and am devastated that Apple are stopping the workshops and the one to one lessons at a time when I need hep the most. Very disappointed in Apple and all the people who have criticised this wonderful program.
The one to one program has been a great learning tool for learning how to utilize the numbers program as a great sales tool. I was also able to create marketing videos with final cut and use garage band for passing construction exams. I am very fortunate I was able to utilize the one to one program for six years. I would not have been able to this on my own. The past and present trainers in fashion fair have been extremely helpful in helping to adapt the Apple software into a very profitable business tool. The 7Am to 10am training sessions were extremely helpful. Thanks again to the Apple staff.
My One to One expires tomorrow and I am so sorry I can not extend it. I don’t use it very often, maybe 3 times a year but I am always glad to have it. I can ask all the questions I need to have answered, I am not interrupting others in a group setting. I don’t have to spend my hour of time listening to problems that don’t concern me. I think there is more to it than fewer customers. Who cares how many you have??? We pay, we use it. How is Apple losing???
I too am sorry to see it go. What is wrong with a program for fewer people. I have been helped a LOT by it. It was well worth the money for me.
I’m furious. Had no notification. My One to One page didn’t come up. Rang the store – got a call centre.. He took half an hour to get me to store I rang in first place. He kept me another half hour insisting I wasn’t on the system. Over one hour later got to book. Then he said page still there ….. Good thing I didn’t have notes as today was first I heard of the cancellstion. I use it a lot so am furious with Apple.
So you are furious, huh. As one of the former trainers, it sounds like you were one of the people we liked least. Self indulgent and always feeling a sense of entitlement. I’m sure the Apple Store employees will be very happy to see less of you. Especially if something so trivial makes you “furious”.
I am going to miss this tremendously. Being deaf it’s hard for me to learn in a workshop setting. Both the one to one training and open training sessions have helped me tremendously both personally as well as in my work. Thank you that you offered it long enough for me to begin taking advantage of it. The staff in Sarasota at the University Town Center have really gone the extra mile helping me discover ways my new MacBook can help me “hear” and function. Even though I’ve only been using this service for two months, it has already been worth every single penny and proved more valuable than you could ever know!
I am so sorry that your closing this program down.
I learned so much from this program…instructors are awesome.
I also, love the workshops…but, there are not enough workshops going on at the El Paseo Village Store.
Its high season for this area from September through May.We have a lot of Retirees that have purchased computers, iPhones, iPads, etc. etc. and are in need of more workshops. I hope you will re – think your One to One.
Also, you need more mature teachers at the Village store… best for the retirees.Young instructors show their inpatient with the mature customer. I hear that weekly. The senior/retiree that has sales and customer service back ground can do a better job with your mature customer. And your sales volume will go up at your retail store in Palm Desert
I imagine they are inpatient listinging to the griping from people that refuse to do any learning on their own. In college, you don’t get everything from the lecture, you actually have to go out and do some research on your own, which I found as a former trainer, most “mature” people never did. I have no idea how they expected to learn anything. And from my perspective, it was very frustrating having to repeat the same crap to the same person, week after week.
I am a former trainer (Creative) with Apple. I really thought our program was great… at first. But instead we were just creating a bunch of people that were so dependent on us, they were afraid to move a mouse without our ok. The old, “I didn’t grow up with this is BS”. I didn’t grow up with cell phones, but amazingly I learned to use one. I don’t pop out of my mother knowing how to drive, but guess what, I learned. The computers I did grow up with were nothing compared to today’s computers, but yep, I learned to use the new ones. Let’s really face facts here. Those lamenting the closing of One to One are simply to lazy to learn how to use their computers or come in for sessions where they want the trainer to do everything for them. Trust me I had plenty of those sessions. In fact, most people didn’t come in to learn, or follow a curriculum, they just came in to ask rapid fire questions, get answers and not learn one damn thing. In fact I wonder how many of you know we did have a curriculum for you to follow so you could learn all you needed to know? I’d say most don’t because they forgot that after their first meeting with us and next time would come in wanting to work on a photo book without knowing their butt from a hole in the ground about computers. It’s like saying, I want to fly the space shuttle, but don’t teach me any of the basics. Most of you really never took the time to learn. You just wanted hand holding. And your neediness and lack of willingness to truly learn is why this program is closing down. I doubt there was a shortage of people wanting to become one to one members. Most of you were so expensive to support it wasn’t feasible for the company to keep the program going. So enjoy the fruits of your laziness folks.
…Wow! With such a negative and depressing attitude, I’m sure we won’t be seeing you flying a space shuttle or climbing any career ladder soon, either. Haven’t you learned that negative thoughts create bad chemicals in your body? No, I suppose you haven’t learned even the basics of mental health yet… Well, Mr Former, hope you enjoy the fruits of your negative BS.
LOL. You’re silly. I’m a software engineer, making a 6 figure salary and not having to deal with dumbasses like yourself! Have great day!
I feel bad. My husband purchased the One to One for me when we got our new Mac, but when I went to activate it, I came across this page :/
I’m not a high tech geek who can easily learn all the complexities of the new technology that changes quicker that the days. The one-on-one sessions i had the opportunity to utilize has been such a blessing. They helped to raise my confidence and abilities. The I was in the process of putting together my first documentary, the App;e trainer I worked with was incredible! His skill level was off the charts and his social skills made him a stand out. Matter of fact, I can say this about every trainer I learned from. Most of my sessions was devoted to learning Final Cut, with some photo sessions in between. I’ve been catching hell trying to learn Final Cut X and the one-on-one has helped to ease a lot of my anxiety. To the trainers I’ve had the opportunity to work with, I want to say thank you for your professionalism, skill level and most of all your friendship.
Kenny