Job Discussion Forums

[Arab Strap]

If anyone out there has any info on this place I'd be glad to hear it.

I'm thinking along the lines of

Management
Accommodation
Students
Fellow teachers
General atmosphere
Do they pay on time and so on

Any feedback both positive and negative will be much appreciated.

PMs welcome

AS

[ALPH]

Yes,
I was also looking for info on this college. Not a peep .. would appear they are killing off the teachers out there ..

[ALPH]

Arab Strap
looking at the contract on offer from ACK, i have my doubts about them. 25+ students in class; potential 30 hr contact teaching hours pe week ie. 6 hrs per day trying to deal with 25+ students indicates a reluctance to employ sufficient number of teachers to cope. Also it is pointed out while it is a 5 day week, teachers may be asked into the centre over weekend so projected goals etc can be met.
All smells a bit of COWBOY to me .. For all their fancy Mission statement, their Mission really appears to be to make as much money fom the contract as is humanly possible by cutting corners. Good luck ...

[Arab Strap]

Mmmm.............I was under the impression that they needed more teachers right now due to an increased student intake and some new courses they are running.

According to my colleague they seemed very amenable over the phone.............yet again that means nothing. He's the one looking for a job.

There's very little about them on this forum which would tend to suggest that there is nothing negative to report or that current staff members are not willing to either defend the place or present their gripes on this forum.

ACK teachers are you out there?

[Time4me]

I currently work for ACK, they are not killing off their teachers at all. Enrolments for this semester exceeded expectations, and yes they are looking for teachers in several areas to the best of my knowledge.

I would explore what they are offering, I have nothing negative to say, my experience so far is all quite positive. It is a fairly new college with state of the art facilities, a great bunch of teachers and an interesting future.

It is very easy for some posters on this site to get on and bag what they don't know, and it all becomes a little tiresome after a while. In my opinion, like all workplaces, ACK will suit some, perhaps not others.
ALPH, you are talking out of your arse. I have not seen any evidence of 'cutting corners' as you put it nor any of the other rubbish you are spouting. What I can tell you is that I, for one, would not want to be part of any teaching team that included someone with your attitude.

Arab Strap, if you have a genuine interest, PM me.

[ALPH]

Great to hear from the middle management itself .. yeehaw, ride 'em cowboy !!

[veiledsentiments]

Now, ALPH, we don't know if she is middle management or 'just' a mere teacher like the rest of us. What people want is information from someone who is there. It seems to me that what we have learned is that ACK has managed to get a new teacher in and not alienate her in the first month or so. So far, so good. The place doesn't have enough of a track record to tell us much more yet.

It sounds like the usual beginning of semester problems with student numbers not matching teachers hired. Time4me, it would certainly be helpful if you could tell us about teaching hours, class sizes, and the housing situation. That is what applicants want to know. Are they local hiring for the teacher shortage or should people apply now who may be interested?

VS

[SCHUBERT]

yes, is it possible to have any info on ACK ? This really isn't a forum for argument but for teachers to help each other out.

[Time4me]

ACK provides Australian AQTF qualifications via Diplomas in Business and Engineering, with perhaps others to come. They also have an English program so require ESL as well as vocational instructors. I believe they are looking for instructors in at least the management and English program at present, but am not privy to what goes on with the hiring. They recruit locally as well as from overseas. The website would show current positions and working conditions. What is says, is the way it is. They have now applied for university status, which should be known in the next few months.

Class sizes are maximum of 25, though during Ramadan, many classes have some absences. Average teaching hours is around 24 or so hours in a 40 hour week, similar to TAFE conditions in Australia. Compared to other organisations I have worked in, the working conditions are quite good, pay is on time and fair. Accommodation is provided either by living in some allocated apartments, or an allowance - you choose.

There is certainly a comaradie amongst those instructors I work with, and the general atmosphere is positive. The management I have dealt with is helpful and upfront.

Like I said in a previous post, not all workplaces suit all people, ACK suits me.

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