Job Discussion Forums

[RobertinOman]

This place is advertising for ESL teachers. It is the same people as at Professional Skills Centre. Enough said.

[Sleepwalker]

Can't believe they've survived - how many locations now?

Here's all I could find:

MOD edit

http://www.competencehr.com/chris.htm

Avoid avoid avoid

[Sleepwalker]

They're back - now as IT security specialists. I pity their partner.


http://www6.zawya.com/printstory.cfm?storyid=ZAWYA20090225034547&l=034500090225

http://sultanateofoman.wordpress.com/category/oman/page/2/

[pinch]

This is a message to others reading the blogs on IQ centre they are all true what people have put.

However the IQ Centre and PSC is now operating under the new company the International Business Institution in Nizwa.

I first went out to Oman back in April 2011 to work for Chris (MOD edit) on a new project which was set up in Nizwa called the International Business Institution. Got out there to find that I was being farmed out to various companies and that really I was not working for Chris at all I went to one meeting and was told say you are from this company (An English Language organisation based in Muscat) whilst sitting in the meeting this was the first I new that I was with Gulf. This was clearly false information given over to me and to the client for which I was astounded at.

Also I went down to Nizwa to find that where I was stay was no way complete nether was the institution which Chris had set up called The International Business Institution. Also the Centre Manager who was joint in charge with Chris in running the operation down in Nizwa Gary (Mod edit)

Whilst in Oman I was also promised my expenses which was close to a 1000 pounds and was kept told don't worry they will be paid and to just chill and relax. Something which, after a week being in Oman I got a bit fed up with hearing. Whilst out there I had one meeting no schedule and as I said no institute to work in and OH no students. Then I was suddenly given students who were living way up in the mountains of Nizwa over an hour away I was told that I needed to get to them. One wonders how by magic carpet!!! This was a 'loose contract' my reading is 'can pull the plug at any time'

Over all my time in Oman has been stressful and a complete nightmare. I have been teaching for over 5 years in various parts of the world and have had my fair share of Mickey Mouse schools but this one takes the biscuit. I left Oman having tried to get my expenses paid which is like getting blood from a stone. I am still having this battle back in the UK, which to be honest I have written off. My main piece of advice to any teacher no mater how experienced how old is to avoid these guys at all cost they promise the world but deliver an atlas and a half dog eaten one at that. Chris has no dealings with money going in or out of the company even through he runs IQ centre and the International Business Institution in Nizwa. Salim has not replied to any of my correspondence even through I have had dealings with him. Gary is still running a muck down in Nizwa coursing havoc and will bring the reputation of any good teacher down with him as Nizwa is a one horse town.
I was not going to put my reputation as an extremely creative profession English teacher at risk of what seems like a highly unethical situation.

So in conclusion please read this blog read blogs on PSC and IQ Centre and the International Business Centre and think very, very carefully before boarding a plane to Oman to work for these guys because unless you have endless money and like working for cowboys then this is not the job for you.

I hope this helps others when reading messages on IQ and PSC and now International Business Institution in Nizwa.

(MOD edit for names)

[Sleepwalker]

What company were you told to say you were with? It may help people to steer clear of them - it can't be a good sign that they're associated with such cowboys.

It may even be that they don't know what has been said and will give them a heads up.

[pinch]

Sleepwalker

I was told to say I was with Gulf Modern. The woman who runs the company knows Chris (MOD edit) very, very well. So she knows exactly who she is dealing with. She was not the friendliest of people when I met her. My meeting with her was prior to the meeting with the client and it was in some flea dump of a hotel... Bit harsh the people were lovely at the hotel however; it was meant to be a get to know more like what do you look like. She was not interested in what I had to say or my teaching experience.

All I can say is I just hope no other teacher has to go through what I have had to go through Chris and his band of merry men are just liar�s and cheats and really should never be in the teaching / hiring position. I feel strongly that they should be stopped and I think the more people like yourself that blog things like this there is a hope that good, hard working teachers will not have the miss fortune of coming in to contact with Chris or Gary.
As you said onwards and up wards which is very true.....

[Sleepwalker]

Best thing for you to do is move on. Your experience isn't typical in Oman.

I hope your next job is great.

[Antrim]

Do you actually TEACH English?

[Sleepwalker]

First post Antrim and not a pleasant one.

Are you trying to get the thread locked?

[Antrim]

OOPS! Will get the rules...........

[Sleepwalker]

No problem - the moderators don't like unpleasant posts....

Check the forum - sometimes you have to just hold back....

[urbanversion]

As the thread has not been locked, one thing I can add is...the centre manager is in jail in Nizwa, as last was heard, for being unable to repay debts....a big nono in this part of the world

[Sleepwalker]

Wow! The Englishman or the Omani?

[urbanversion]

the englishman, g**y, not C***s...

[Sleepwalker]

So, the two slippery eels escape to set up elsewhere.

Have never met G but came across the other two when they were working for CfBT.

Appalling that they can continue like this.