Job Discussion Forums

Lord T · Joined: 07 Jul 2015 Posts: 285

Staff at TTC have been told that GIZ will not be running the college after August and therefore they are being made redundant.

To all the decent people there, and there are many, I say sincerely that I am sorry. To the small number of people responsible for last year's redundancies, now you know how it feels.

Balzac · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 266

Lord T · Joined: 07 Jul 2015 Posts: 285

No reasons given as yet. I don't think the college will close, but GIZ will not be running it. I don't know for sure. Staff were told yesterday.

Balzac · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 266

Desert Dueller · Joined: 20 Jul 2015 Posts: 45 Location: Montreal

Yes, GIZ has been given the boot by CoE. Certainly no surprise to those familiar with the recent performance of the college, especially its English language department ELC. The Saudis considered graduates unemployable because "they couldn't speak any English". This after three years of more or less intensive English classes. However, the technical departments didn't fare much better. Headline news was made when the Shura Council criticized technical graduates across KSA as being "unable to change a light bulb". Judging from the quality of so-called bachelor "projects" (TTC did away with the term bachelor thesis a while back), TTC graduates certainly would not be exempt from such criticism. The total disintegration of the ELC over the last 18 months is but one piece in the mosaic of decline and ultimately failure of the college under the auspices of a provider that saw TTC as its flagship project in KSA, whilst having little actual expertise and experience in the provision of education and management facilities on a project of this scale. My thoughts are with the students and the wonderful local support staff who might now be out of a job. To those who - by their own account - were only "in it for the money", who have milked the system for all it was worth I say: gather your belongings and go home.

desertfox · Joined: 14 Jun 2015 Posts: 120

I think it is sad news that Giz are losing the provider's role at TTC.

In particular I feel for the locally recruited support staff. They are the real victims of this - they are hardworking, decent and personable.

In respect of the teaching staff, obviously Giz must honor any contractual obligations. This will apply only I guess to the small number of teacher's there who still hold Iqamas.

For the majority however who are only on visas, Giz has no direct obligation. It will be interesting to see how the management treat these people. Maybe there is no contractual obligation, but there should be a moral obligation as the news of the redundancies has apparently come out of the blue.

It would be interesting to hear from any current members of the teaching staff as to how matters are now being played out there.

Bear in mind, that Giz have only been given 6 months notice to terminate. Most teachers would have been on there way in June I imagine for their summer holidays. That means Giz only have perhaps 3 and half months to conclude matters with their staff.

Presumably another provider may be coming in, but one must also feel for the students who will be concerned at the latest turn of events.

Balzac · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 266

Isn't GIZ the same company that lost a big contract to run another college in Yanbu a while back?

And also lost another one with a German tie up (with FESTO?) in Buraidah or maybe Qassim? Last year?

The company seems to be struggling a bit in Saudi these days. I wonder what's been going wrong for them?

B

Allahtellya1 · Joined: 11 Jan 2016 Posts: 43

The German and Saudi governments are having political problems with regards to Syria. Dropping GIZ is extremely problematic considering the time it takes to implement a curriculum. The fact that they told staff before securing another deal suggests it was unplanned and expressed to them from the top. The Saudis of COE came on short notice and briefed everyone and said everything will continue as normal But I could tell they were stretching the truth. They say another company is in negotiations with them but they are kidding themselves if they believe they can just continue on as if nothing happens because with the German civil servant instructors go, the curriculum goes as well. Teachers are looking for other jobs so it behooves the COE to get something in place quickly before people jump ship.

I suggest that the Saudis may see the error in their ways as students start leaving. Many have already confronted them expressing that the reason they came to the school is because of GIZ. Putting in a for-profit entity from the US or Britain for example, wont carry the same weight as GIZ. Perhaps they will change course but only time will tell. The clock is ticking!

Lord T · Joined: 07 Jul 2015 Posts: 285

You're a genuine bloke, Allahtellya1, you will get another job in education; one or two of your colleagues are not and, if there is any justice, will not.

They know who I'm talking about.

Good luck to you and the other genuine teachers.

yep · Joined: 24 Jun 2014 Posts: 33

'Everything will continue as normal' was the party line during the withdrawal of TQ from the COE project.

Then with only a month left it changed to 'you will all have to re-apply for your jobs'.

Er. ...no thanks.

Allahtellya1 · Joined: 11 Jan 2016 Posts: 43

That's just the way many bet teachers see things. I already have another job secured

Lord T · Joined: 07 Jul 2015 Posts: 285

How are the ones affectionately know as The Fraud, and The Actor dealing with the situation?

'Keep calm and carry on' is not really their style.

Lord T · Joined: 07 Jul 2015 Posts: 285

The Actor enjoys life in the kingdom so much that he wrote a book about it.
Therefore, I have no doubt that he will be keen to find a position that enables him to continue widening the circle of his Arab connections.

The Fraud is a determined character who knows no boundaries.

I have every faith in their ability to find a new job in the kingdom.

Lord T · Joined: 07 Jul 2015 Posts: 285

Let me just clarify something: I have faith in their ability to find a new job, given the way things sometimes work in the kingdom. I don't have any faith in their being able to actually do the job.

That's enough from me concerning those two people.

Lord T · Joined: 07 Jul 2015 Posts: 285

It seems that at least one poor fellow has been told to go this week, just after he had paid his rent as well.

I have posted over 60 times in the last 8 months, mainly to complain about the way the TTC was being managed, how teachers were treated, and to warn fellow teachers of what they may encounter, should they accept an offer to work there. This is just one more example of the way they treat people.

I hope someone can help this man to find work in Riyadh asap.