Job Discussion Forums

cliviger · Joined: 08 Nov 2008 Posts: 4

I am absolutely furious. I am currently applying to the net scheme, via TEACH AWAY, with whom I have been in contact with since August. Originally interviews were scheduled for October in Vancouver and Toronto, for which I made special arrangements to be back in North America for. I was then informed that these interviews would be moved to late November, and also to send off the necessary documents and police report, etc. Now after much time and expense, they informed via a mass email that the education board in H.K have suspended all November interviews. TEACH AWAY claim to be surprised and disappointed by this and apparently are holding a conference call with head office in H.K to find out what's going on.
My question is, what to do next. Is anyone else here in the same boat? Has anybody experienced this before or know reasons behind the decision. As I have invested so much time and effort into this application (including decling other work opportunities in order to keep my schedule free for the interview) it seems totally unacceptable, not to mention unprofessional to do this again at the last minute. Any thoughts welcome.

Harry Houdini · Joined: 01 Nov 2008 Posts: 36 Location: HH Enterprises

Sorry to hear about that, Cliviger. I can't answer your question, as I have no inside info on either the company you are dealing with or the EDB. If the EDB had interviews lined up for November and cancelled them at the last minute, it would certainly be rather inconsiderate of them. Of course the company may be lying for some reason, and stuffed it up somehow.

I can only wonder if the current economic problems in HK have caused the EDB to cut back on the NET scheme. I read that budget spending has been cut back 98% (that's not a typo) this financial year - compounded by the fact that gave away freebies last year - e.g. gave tax back. I hope not, as it brings the future of the NET scheme into question.

Harry Houdini · Joined: 01 Nov 2008 Posts: 36 Location: HH Enterprises

Harry Houdini · Joined: 01 Nov 2008 Posts: 36 Location: HH Enterprises

Harry Houdini · Joined: 01 Nov 2008 Posts: 36 Location: HH Enterprises

prufrockwakes · Joined: 24 Oct 2008 Posts: 41

they have been really lame with me too. takes days to get a response and often a form letter. and it is asia, so even though it is HK, it is asia,,,,,,, red tape, delays, just because, how dare you ask,,,,,, hehehe,,,,,
i lived in south korea 2 years and now in japan almost 3 and this is not unusual. good luck whatever you do.

Marcoregano · Joined: 19 May 2003 Posts: 872 Location: Hong Kong

cliviger · Joined: 08 Nov 2008 Posts: 4

Well I have now been informed by TEACH AWAY that the EDB have postponed interviews for March, as they are now only recruiting for the 2009/2010 school year. Unbelievable that they couldn't inform of this until now, seven days before the interview.

Marcoregano · Joined: 19 May 2003 Posts: 872 Location: Hong Kong

But 2009/10 is the next school year! It makes sense that they should be interviewing for it - there is no teacher intake in the middle of the school year.

anninhk · Joined: 08 Oct 2005 Posts: 284

In previous years there have been interviews for placement after Christmas. This was the case when they were moving from one NET for two schools to one NET in every school. This was the case in my schools. The new NET came in January and we shared the schools until the end of the school year when we decided who would teach where. The new NET got a contract for 18 months instead of the normal two years.
I presume now there are no NETs who are teaching in two schools and so it is not necessary. Now there will only be interviews in March for the school year 2009/10.

Marcoregano · Joined: 19 May 2003 Posts: 872 Location: Hong Kong

Fair enough Ann, but September is/has always been the main start date. Still, I imagine there are bound to be a few ad hoc appointments made during the school year as a result of births, deaths, marriages and desertions...

timbalasian · Joined: 15 Nov 2008 Posts: 4 Location: Calgary

You received a mass emailed message? I have yet to received one. After sending them an email as to what is going on, they are now going to inform everyone.

I also made special arrangements in anticipation of the interview. I wish I had known earlier so that I would just go to HK and look for a job locally. Why not? I have the right to abode. I feel that my hopes were up for nothing, just like you, cliverger.

There is another guy who replied to my post on Teach Away's Facebook group. It seems that he had to do a lot more to apply, i.e. background check and such. Did you have to do that? In the theme of inconsistency, do you notice that Teach Away requirement seems to fluctuate? The last email I had received (the one reminding everyone the deadline being the last day of October), the requirement was no longer a teaching degree. However, and again a change, if you look at their website now the requirements is changed back to a teaching degree as one of the tiers.

My head is shaking.

Serious_Fun · Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Posts: 1171 Location: terra incognita

prufrockwakes · Joined: 24 Oct 2008 Posts: 41

Miss Smith said Friday the 14th, 7:30 am--that was 4 days ago; guess it's not important now from the postponed interview date...... I was hoping for a later time anyway, so it's cool ; )

timbalasian · Joined: 15 Nov 2008 Posts: 4 Location: Calgary