Job Discussion Forums

[AJ88]

Hi all,

I've done a search on BAE but can't find anything recent. So here's my question to those who currently or have previously worked for BAE in Dhahran.

What are the working conditions like? How many contact hours? How are the students? How is life on the compound in terms of living conditions and facilities.

Thanks in advance.

[scot47]

Paranoia makes BAe teachers very tight-lipped. While in Dhahran I had occasion to visit the BAe teaching facility a couple of times to do IELTS testing. The place felt like a maximum-security prison.

Salaries are high, but there are good reasons for that. Beware the golden handcuffs !

[AJ88]

Dar Scot

Maybe you can be so kind as to elaborate a bit more on your post.

[desertdawg]

I was a regular visitor to the compound a couple of years ago. At that time single guys got a two bedroom apartment with an open plan kitchen/diner and living room. The blocks were two storey, so if you were lucky enough to be on the bottom floor you got a garden.

Sports facilities are excellent with all the usual stuff and several pools.

There are several bars. Pool tables, quizzes, darts etc. Nice to sit outside with a beverage. Even a nightclub! Mostly homebrew but of good quality.

Don't know much about the teaching, but excellent living conditions and a high salary are given for a reason

[scot47]

The salary has traditionally been MUCH higher than other jobs in KSA. The result is that once recruited, you may be reluctant to leave knowing that would mean a cut in income.

Lack of job satisfaction. Lots of frustration and stress. A fat tax-free salary. Working with the Saudi Officer Corps, disgruntled young trainees, and a bunch of ex-RAF types. Better you than me !

[AJ88]

A nightclub? In Saudi?

I mean most jobs in Saudi are stressful with moody students. I don't really see why this is that bad. Also since the salary is that high I suppose one could put up with more than I usually would.

But Scot, I'm intrigued why does it feel like a prison?

[scot47]

A closed environment where every minute and every aspect of the inmates' day is controlled !

[AJ88]

Hmmm

Many thanks for the info. At least I know what to expect now

[Sheik Yerbuti]

If you get an interview, and then get hired, and then get your visa,
and then pass your probationary period. I think what Scot is
alluding to is that the best jobs in KSA, and I mean the top 5 %
of work here, few if any are going to go on this board and
bellyache. Why should they, they are in and these are not
jobs one usually leaves to the hands of fate. Showing
discontent when you are pulling in close to or more than
six figures is bad form, and not wise for your long term
prospects. And as stated before, when positions open,
as they infrequently do, first crack usually goes to pals
of those already in.

[AJ88]

Sheik I totally understand where your coming from. It's usually people who haven't worked there assuming what it's actually like to work there

If you have or currently work there maybe you can tell me more about working hours and conditions.

[sicklyman]

I haven't worked there but I have been to the BAe compound and it is exactly as desertdawg describes. In fact, last time I was there, I found myself at a punk fancy dress disco which was one of several venues we visited during the long night. It reminded me of a Club 18-30... or a reunion version at least.

Anyway, I did chat with some people who had info about teaching there. Salary is good and the facilites on the compound are excellent (Olympic-size swimming pool and bowling lanes anyone?). But the teaching is apparently made more difficult by the fact that Saudi officers who have no clue about language teaching take a very active approach to directing classroom affairs and will happily make a teacher's life more difficult by 'helping'.

This is compounded by the fact that many of the students find themselves keeping all hours of the day and night on exercises and drills and consquently find a classroom a lovely place to relax. But woe betide you if you let their head hit the desk...

I came away pretty convinced that it would reward a great deal financially while not a jot professionally. Considering that matches most jobs here, you could do a lot worse.

[AJ88]

There's certainly a lot to consider. But it does sound like a company with a good reputation and certainly more positives than negatives.

[Randall]

Does BAE hire US citizens? And is there a maximum age limit, either explicit or implicit?

[scot47]

Some but not many US. 54 ? 55 ? After that, forget it with these dudes.

[Siobhan 22]

So....the upshot from the feedback on here is......not much.

Permanent staff at BAE, plus Language Solutions agency - 30 or sp Langsols on work visit ('business') visas for 3 months.

50% attrition rate.

Facts (from an interview!!) but I have no direct experience and neither, it seems, do many posters on eslcafe.