Job Discussion Forums

isitts · Joined: 04 Jun 2010 Posts: 193 Location: Korea

Hello,

Saw an ad on the international job board for NewPath Recruitment.

I ran a search for NewPath on Dave's but only one thread came up from 2008/2009:

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=65739&highlight=newpath

This thread was for short-term university positions in Japan and there seemed to be some question as to whether they are affiliated with WestGate. But the thread was dropped in 2009.

Their current ad on Dave's is offering ALT jobs in the public schools in Japan. Has no one heard of these guys?

I did JET 2003 - 2005. I've heard since then, JET has reduced in size and other organizations like Interac and dispatchers were kind of taking over.

I'm wondering about the dispatchers in particular because NewPath connects you with an unnamed "client company" who then matches you with a public school.

Anyway, main question is: Has anyone heard of (or better yet) used NewPath?

Secondary question (perhaps a little vague): What is the situation with dispatchers over there? I heard they can be a bit sketchy.

Thanks in advance.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

I have never heard of NewPath, and I have been involved in EFL in Japan for almost 15 years.

I read that link to the old thread you provided. Yes, according to the posters there, NewPath was merely a middleman for Westgate Corporation. If they are the same entity as this recruiter:
http://www.newpathrecruitment.com/employers/about-npr.html
...then that confirms it and perhaps they are middleman for some dispatch agencies.

Looking at their FAQ
http://www.newpathrecruitment.com/frequently-asked-questions-japan.html
...it appears that the only country they service is Japan, despite a quirky wording to the contrary (and the boasting in teacher testimonials from Korea!). Their second FAQ asks about visas, and they already lose by stating that most schools want teachers with a Specialist in Humanities/International Relations visa. Uh, ALTs aren't allowed to get that; they need to have an Instructor visa. It's pretty clear that they are mixing eikaiwas with public school positions and lumping them under the collective name of "school". Heads up.

Moreover, in another FAQ on visas themselves, they don't even mention the Instructor visa! Helloooooooooooooooooo.

In their "For Employers" tab, they say:

isitts · Joined: 04 Jun 2010 Posts: 193 Location: Korea

Thanks, Glenski!

I was actually hoping to hear from you on this thread. Yeah, NewPath did kind of sound like an extra middleman. I've registered on the site, which supposedly should allow me to receive emails about new jobs from the clients. (We'll see.)

I was actually looking for jobs on another board but decided to randomly check out the international board and saw the NewPath ad. With Japan's exchange rate, I thought I might be able to better than in...the neighboring peninsula. And the criteria for candidates seemed a better fit for me (I mean with respect to prior experience in Japan and more targeting a particular demographic than recruiters for other countries). Also hadn't heard of other organizations that let you work in the public schools like JET. And with the salary range listed on the site...well. I just thought I should check it out.

I'd actually heard Interac was quite good. A couple of my friends who were on JET switched over to Interac and said they liked it. Didn't have quite the benefits, but still, they were happy.

What about Borderlink? My friend just told that organization a few minutes ago, so I could go do some research on my own before asking, "Well, what about...?"

Anyway, thank you for your quick reply. I appreciate it!

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Stay away from Borderlink. Nuff said.

isitts · Joined: 04 Jun 2010 Posts: 193 Location: Korea

Thanks. I guess if I return to Japan it'll be when my JET probationary period ends. Only a few more years to wait... Smile

Metacchi · Joined: 01 Jun 2011 Posts: 17 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Metacchi · Joined: 01 Jun 2011 Posts: 17 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Here's more on that...

Borderlink ALTs Unionized

Mr_Monkey · Joined: 11 Mar 2009 Posts: 661 Location: Kyuuuuuushuuuuuuu

There's some pretty strong stuff in those demands.

Do you think they have a chance of success?

Metacchi · Joined: 01 Jun 2011 Posts: 17 Location: Tokyo, Japan

I guess we'll just have to wait and see. I don't think the ALTs will back down so easily, though. You don't make a list of demands like that unless you're ready to fight for them.

OneJoelFifty · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 463

Very interesting, and you're right, some of the demands are strong. Having experienced what BoEs can be like, surely some are impractical (teacher visits scheduled a month in advance, for example), some are simply asking the company to follow the law, and I assume the wage demands have been set high to allow room for negotiation.

Do you know how many ALTs are involved in this?

Metacchi · Joined: 01 Jun 2011 Posts: 17 Location: Tokyo, Japan

I think the demand was about Borderlink staff giving a month's notice before coming to observe classes. Or did you mean the one about having work schedules a month in advance? I don't see either one as impractical.

How many ALTs? Perhaps you should ask the union, although I've heard that almost a whole city is involved.

seklarwia · Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2011 8:34 pm Post subject:

Metacchi · Joined: 01 Jun 2011 Posts: 17 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Yes. "Work schedule" means the days the ALTs are working at whichever schools. Borderlink ALTs get their monthly schedule on the last day of the month with their payslips.

The schools get the ALTs' work schedules at the start of the year. Why don't the ALTs?

The class schedule would be impossible to arrange so far in advance.

rxk22 · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 1629

seklarwia · Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2011 5:15 am Post subject: