Job Discussion Forums

bridgettejean · Joined: 03 Jul 2013 Posts: 2

Does anyone know anything about this recruiter? I have not found anything on the posts about it. I had an interview with them today.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

They're likely just another recruiter. It's more important that you know the actual contracting company/sponsor you'd be working for---that should have come up in your interview. If not, then you need to ask the recruiter.

bridgettejean · Joined: 03 Jul 2013 Posts: 2

thanks for the reply and the tip. The contracting company is SBC which has received terrible reviews. Sad

I am disappointed!

sicklyman · Joined: 02 Feb 2013 Posts: 930

CANDLES · Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 9:00 pm Post subject: sbc, aetg

Please don't be negative about these contractors. They are as good as each other, and bad as each other. There are loads of teachers who've gone with these two contractors and most of the time they are fine. They will give you the Iqama, whereas the others won't ( or give it after causing a lot of distress). I've worked with AETG and know a number of teachers who work with SBC and they are fine with them. The only contractor who I personally despise is EDEX!

Anywhere is going to feel alien, especially in a closed environment like KSA, so please leave your negativity behind and think positively, or try and get a job in another Arab country. You will be anxious already going to the Kingdom, without this hanging over your head.

SaharaDesert · Joined: 05 Nov 2008 Posts: 260

With all due respect to CANDLES, I tend to disagree.

I have been doing lots of research and reading the forum as I explore teaching opportunities
in Saudi and I find that people like nomad soul (who seems to have lots of experience with the hiring process in Saudi) give very sound advice
when it comes to watching out for shady recruiters.

So far, in the past 2 weeks (thanks to this forum) I have a list of TEN recruiters that one should avoid.
I am sure that this list will keep growing as I am starting to notice some of the same recruiters go under different names in hopes of recruiting newbies that are not aware that they play this game.

I also agree with nomad soul (and others) who have stated that it is best to be directly hired by a university. I have several years of experience teaching overseas and there is nothing worse than thinking you've signed an excellent contract only to find yourself in a nightmarish situation once you arrive in the country.

In the case of Saudi, I am being extra careful not to get in that kind of a situation considering you can't just get on a plane (due to their strict visa restrictions) and leave if things are bad compared to places like the UAE.

Hope that makes sense ?

sicklyman · Joined: 02 Feb 2013 Posts: 930

CANDLES · Posted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 7:02 pm Post subject:

I worked with AETG for a long time and found the admin dept quite inept, but eventually with a whole load of noise from the Western teachers, they changed their tactics.

SBC is doing exactly the same thing as above. No-one is really happy in KSA; we are there to make money. You might cite various contractors who are great, but there is always a glitch. Something untoward happens, and then hundreds of threads follow. Until you work with these contractors you don't know half the story.

I am not justifying, but merely saying do look around for better operators, but know this that PNU teachers, whether they are from South Africa, Canada, USA, UK inevitably end up being processed by SBC or AETG, EDEX et al. All are shysters, but if you wanna job, you go through them!

Not being sarcastic, but people of nervous deposition shouldn't really bother with KSA. Personally if I don't like something, I leave after giving it a good shot ( 3months- I did it once only).. With a business visa you can walk out anytime (preferably after being paid), get a flight and bid adieu, but with an Iqama, it's more difficult, because you have to give a month's notice.

As long as my visa/medical is paid and my salary, accommodation is taken care of, then I'm not worried. Sorry if I sound blase, but I've lived in the Middle East for awhile so take it in my stride.

intrepid traveler · Joined: 06 Feb 2013 Posts: 48

Not all PNU teachers are processed through contractors. They are recruited by various companies, but are housed and paid directly by the university. If the job advert offers on-campus housing, then most likely you will be direct hire. As far as I know, SBC, Edex and AETG do not recruit for direct hire. If you sign a contract with them, they will house and pay you. Many teachers who worked for these companies in 2012-2013 have returned home to get a new visa in order to become direct hire at PNU. Some, however, did opt to stay with the contractor because the devil you know....

DLIguy · Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2013 7:11 pm Post subject:

CANDLES · Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2013 8:40 pm Post subject:

Apologies for the wrong spelling of 'DISPOSITION'

As for teachers being rehired as 'direct hire', thanks for letting me know. I hadn't come across that when I was there. Perhaps next time I'll do that as well.

Learn something new everyday!

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

janesusan · Joined: 01 Jun 2013 Posts: 9

So, where are these direct hire jobs at PNU advertised?

CANDLES · Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2013 8:36 pm Post subject:

Exactly! Where and how are the teachers being 'rehired', as 'direct hire'?

I've got colleagues who have been working with the same contractor for the past 3 years and I haven't heard them saying that they were being rehired as 'direct hire' by PNU.

And with all due respect to everyone- it's all very well collating the information and giving advice, but actually working in that environment and coping with whatever is thrown at you is the 'crux of the matter'.

The information gathered 10 years ago or even 1 year is different to what it is now. Changes happen! AETG and SBC have been around for a long time. PNU contract was taken over by AETG, after BELL were dismissed. Then it had NZ mob, and various others. SBC have been on the scene since 2011 ish, (for PNU), because the director and some of the staff used to be with AETG and know how PNU works.

As for contractors changing names, etc..., I stay with contractors who I know.

intrepid traveler · Joined: 06 Feb 2013 Posts: 48

PNU offered direct hire positions to select SBC, Edex and AETG employees. Naturally, these companies were not willing to transfer iqamas, so the teachers who accepted the direct hire offer went back to their respective countries to reapply for an employment visa through PNU. Several months ago one or two recruiters were advertising what appeared to be direct hire positions for PNU, but those offers seem to have disappeared in recent months. I would suggest checking out the TeachAway website to see if they still recruit for PNU direct hire.