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Warning Bells
Joined: 10 Mar 2011
Posts: 87
Location: Always Changes
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 Posted: Fri May 06, 2011 2:08 pm Post subject: |
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| usa_in_gulf wrote: |
| High turnover has many causes. And actually, the COTs (Colleges of Technology) overall do not have an unusually high turnover for international hires. |
Compared with what? They certainly go through a number of teachers every year at every college, based on the advertisements I see every year. I've read the forum topics on here too and more than most seem really unhappy! |
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usa_in_gulf
Joined: 10 Aug 2009
Posts: 133
Location: Gulf
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| Posted: Fri May 06, 2011 8:50 pm Post subject: |
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You simply need to compare with other educational institutes that employ expat staff. Most places go through two year cycles. If you are basing your "they certainly go through a number of teachers every year" based on advertisements you see and forum comments... your pool of data is rather limited.
Do you know that the number of students admitted each year to the Colleges of Technology increases? For example, 15% increase this past January and over 10,000 students will be admitted next academic year throughout the COT system.
The annual increases, plus normal turnover, plus the added loses of the "international crazies"= a large recruiting need.
It also important to remember, that only a small percentage of people who apply are actually qualified and have a solid work history. People from this forum have applied.. using their forum ID in their email address...not too difficult to figure out. You may be surprised at the people who type behind these forum names.
You have to kiss a lot of frogs... |
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urbanversion
Joined: 27 Jan 2011
Posts: 426
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| Posted: Sat May 07, 2011 3:56 am Post subject: re: cots |
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They certainly go through a number of teachers every year at every college, based on the advertisements I see every year. I've read the forum topics on here too and more than most seem really unhappy!
@ WB: They are indeed already hiring for september, and at present have a surplus, some teachers left already it seems 
Then there will be the usual no shows come september....  |
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usa_in_gulf
Joined: 10 Aug 2009
Posts: 133
Location: Gulf
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| Posted: Sat May 07, 2011 6:16 pm Post subject: Re: re: cots |
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| urbanversion wrote: |
They certainly go through a number of teachers every year at every college, based on the advertisements I see every year. I've read the forum topics on here too and more than most seem really unhappy!
@ WB: They are indeed already hiring for september, and at present have a surplus, some teachers left already it seems
Then there will be the usual no shows come september.... |
Where are you getting your information? Because its certainly not accurate. How many years have you worked at any COT?
Hiring replacements--for people who have resigned, ran away, or fired is continuous--new hiring (which is the overwhelming bulk of hires each semester--for example, one of the COT will hire 6 replacements and 26 new hires) has not started. Agencies haven't been given their quotas yet.
And because of the drastic increase in the number of new students admitted for term two, I am unaware of any location with a surplus of teachers. Third term has extremely low number of new students--usually just students from the diwan office..... so yes, third term has lower new student numbers for most locations, but no one would consider it a surplus. This third semester is most locations first time to actually relief/reduce key instructors workload (coordinators, club leaders, etc)
Anyways..... |
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urbanversion
Joined: 27 Jan 2011
Posts: 426
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| Posted: Tue May 10, 2011 4:24 am Post subject: re: cracks |
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So they hire continuously because LOTS do leave, get fired, etc...
Most crack after a year... |
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Yorks Lad
Joined: 16 Aug 2009
Posts: 93
Location: England
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| Posted: Tue May 10, 2011 11:20 am Post subject: |
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Urbanversion,
I'd be interested to know why so many teachers crack as I've applied to teach there. Do you have any insight?
Thanks. |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Tue May 10, 2011 12:53 pm Post subject: Re: re: cracks |
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| urbanversion wrote: |
| Most crack after a year... |
A bit of exaggeration, of course - depends on location too. Probably as much a reflection of their poor vetting as work conditions. Also, this is an entry level job in the Gulf. Thus, many are augmenting the CV to move up in a year or two and/or using it to work on an online MA.
The reasons for constant recruiting are many and varied. The less than stellar working conditions are but one reason. It seems that one of the more difficult adjustments is living in one of the smaller villages and lack of diversions. One needs to be able to live with and occupy oneself, and a love of outdoor activities is helpful.
VS |
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urbanversion
Joined: 27 Jan 2011
Posts: 426
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| Posted: Tue May 10, 2011 3:49 pm Post subject: re: that says it all... |
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| Quote: |
| The less than stellar working conditions are but one reason. It seems that one of the more difficult adjustments is living in one of the smaller villages and lack of diversions |
That says it all, the grinding mind numbing boredom..it's ok if you are a bookworm, hermit or outdoors lover...but otherwise not...
Yorkslad, depending on your sexual preferences oman is either heaven or hell, many single western men here...and not for the ladies, which is not an option anyway! |
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Warning Bells
Joined: 10 Mar 2011
Posts: 87
Location: Always Changes
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| Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 3:01 am Post subject: Re: re: cracks |
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| veiledsentiments wrote: |
| One needs to be able to live with and occupy oneself, and a love of outdoor activities is helpful. |
What outdoor activities? Other than riding a bike, which can be dangerous on the streets, what is there to do on a daily basis out there?
I suggest sociaizing with the locals and exploring Oman with friendly colleagues. Share dinners, eat out, go shopping together, travel and so on.
Let's face it, Oman is boring. You have to seek out activities to occupy your time. That is not so easy to do if you are use to living in cites. |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 4:06 am Post subject: Re: re: cracks |
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| Warning Bells wrote: |
| veiledsentiments wrote: |
| One needs to be able to live with and occupy oneself, and a love of outdoor activities is helpful. |
What outdoor activities? Other than riding a bike, which can be dangerous on the streets, what is there to do on a daily basis out there? |
Who said anything about "daily"? I was referring to such things as wadi bashing, camping, hiking, heading to the nearest beach. The most important half of the sentence of mine that you quoted was the first half... you need to be able to live with and occupy yourself.
I actually walked daily for most of the academic year.
VS |
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Warning Bells
Joined: 10 Mar 2011
Posts: 87
Location: Always Changes
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| Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 8:22 am Post subject: Re: re: cracks |
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| veiledsentiments wrote: |
| Who said anything about "daily"? |
There's no need to be defensive. I was just asking a question and not even trying to be cheeky about it either. I was simply curious about what there is to do in the great outdoors of Oman on a daily basis. I really don't care about the usual excursions that happen only once in a while. I'm more concerned with the daily routine stuff. I lived in Oman and I couldn't find enough stuff to do there to keep me happy, so I left.
You sound like you are advocating a life of solitude in Oman. I disagree. One can also learn to make friends with the locals and other expats, spending time with them on a daily basis. The most contented expats I met there were spending most of their time with their families. I don't consider that occupying oneself. Not everyone has to be a creature of solitude to make it in Oman! |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 2:25 pm Post subject: Re: re: cracks |
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| Warning Bells wrote: |
| You sound like you are advocating a life of solitude in Oman. I disagree. One can also learn to make friends with the locals and other expats, spending time with them on a daily basis. The most contented expats I met there were spending most of their time with their families. I don't consider that occupying oneself. Not everyone has to be a creature of solitude to make it in Oman! |
Not "advocating." Just pointing the reality as many have found it over the years. Those who have been happiest there seem to be the married couples. The single teachers that I have encountered since the 80's who didn't like Oman were unable to deal with solitude - especially in some of the smaller village colleges around the country. Life is always what you make of it... wherever you are.
VS |
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Turbster
Joined: 09 May 2009
Posts: 67
Location: UK
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| Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2011 6:53 am Post subject: |
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I think its a good point that you make VS. Oman, as nice as the place, and people can be, can be quite frustrating in a work environment. I'm lucky in that I have a wife that I can share those frustrations with, and she can often deliver an entirely different perspective on an issue. So. Half an hour after getting home, I have discussed my day, resolved issues, and can relax with a cool beer 
I have noted that with singletons, its the little things that they get upset about, and would possibly do so in any environment, so should not just blame Oman. Come with minimal social expectations, and that way whatever good things you get into, will be a bonus!
I can further comment that not enough expats know how to smile, or if they do, not often enough. One of the things our Omani students love is our ability to show our joy. In a culture that is so reserved, we have the ability to be very, very different. In that, they love us.
This is a very good country to experience, the money is good, the weather is warm (+) and the students equally challenging and appreciative, the same as anywhere. Come here to enjoy Oman, be close enough to the excesses of the UAE, and be challenged professionally. Who knows, you may even learn something  |
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urbanversion
Joined: 27 Jan 2011
Posts: 426
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| Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2011 9:27 am Post subject: indeed |
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| I have noted that with singletons, its the little things that they get upset about |
Too true.... |
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Duffy
Joined: 29 Oct 2005
Posts: 449
Location: Oman
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| Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2011 6:37 pm Post subject: |
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Turbster wrote:
| Quote: |
| I have noted that with singletons, its the little things that they get upset about |
UrbanVision wrote:
UV, seems like you are getting a bit jaded, will you be returning to this fair land??
Duffy |
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