Job Discussion Forums

Hmmm · Joined: 28 Mar 2003 Posts: 2

Years ago, I worked with Vinnell outside of Riyadh for a year. It was an ok deal at the time, but some things took a while to get used to. (Uniforms, riding to work in old school buses, five-and-a-half day work weeks, bone dry DLI material and very little flexiblity) To be fair, everything they promised financially was accurate to the penny, so most people just put in their time, reached their goals and moved on.

Has the program evolved for the better, worse or is just about the same? Thanks in advance for your honest input.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

It used to be the money but I do not know how much they are paying now.

For US citizens working for some contractors in Aramco you get US$5,000
a month ( no housing, medical or transportation)

I get much less but do not have the hassle of working for Aramco or any of the brain-dead military outfits.

Pilot in Command · Joined: 19 Apr 2003 Posts: 50

I received an offer from Vinnell a few months ago. It was unsolicited (I had applied to them a couple of years ago, but I accepted an offer with another outfit). I couldn't accept this most recent offer because of a personal situation here in the states, so they said they'd keep me in their database.

I, too, am seeking insight from an "insider" on professional and "social" life with Vinnell. I'm considering letting them know I can accept an overseas position now.

From the information I got in the offer, I noticed that the housing is a bit austere, and then I confirmed it by visiting their website. Hmmm, I guess you'd know first-hand what it's like living at Camp Vinnell -- it looks like one room with the "possibility" of sharing a bath. They provide all meals (are they good?), as well as free Internet access (is it reliable?) and free cable TV connection. No mention that uniforms are provided. The salary is about 1/2 your quote for those Aramco contractors, Scot47. But it seems the expenses would be minimal at Camp Vinnell.

I WILL say that they provide for unaccompanied baggage, which I've found in recent years to be a rarity among Saudi employers.

Also, the work week is stated as five nine-hour days, Sat - Wed.

I'd certainly like to locate one of those Amamco contractors you refer to, Scot47. I was considered for a position with an Aramco contractor a couple of months ago, but they quoted an annual salary "probably" in the low 40's. BUT GET THIS, I flew to Houston for the interview. They wouldn't pay for a hotel room, so it was an out-and-back. THEY NEVER SHOWED FOR THE INTERVIEW! I WAS "STOOD UP!" That was unbelievable, and they've never contacted me with an explanation! They were somewhere in the hotel where the interview was to take place, but no one could find them!

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Sounds like they did you a favour by not showing up for your interview. Would you want to be in Saudi working for guys like that ?

The figure I quote for the contractor is what you get as an American BUT YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR EVERYTHING,(medical, tickets, housing,food etc.)

Pilot in Command · Joined: 19 Apr 2003 Posts: 50

No, I certainly wouldn't want to work for such an employer, in Saudi or anyplace else. I believe that turned out for the best, and I feel for the ones who got interviewed that week, were hired, and now have to deal with them IN Kingdom.

That business of paying for everything yourself sounds like an unusual arrangement for a job in Saudi Arabia. In my seven years of being associated with jobs in the Kingdom, I've never run across that arrangement. Is that a new trend among employers there?

It doesn't sound bad, actually. I figured what I'd have had to pay for on my last contract with that five grand, and I would have ended up with more in my pocket than I actually saw under the "traditional" arrangement I had there (they provided everything).

Has anyone out there worked for Vinnell recently? If so, I'd appreciate any light you could share on your experience there.

Thanks in advance.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

It surprised me when my colleague told me about it. Usually employers here are like BIG BROTHER controlling every aspect of your waking and sleeping life.

EFLT · Joined: 18 Oct 2004 Posts: 13

Hi, guys.

I am currently in the Kingdom. Present contract ends in Dec. but need to stay on in the Gulf to make decent money. I see Vinnell is recruiting again on Tefl.com. Anyone on this board currently working there? Recently worked there?

I got an offer from them in 2001, but the salary mentioned was not very competitive at the time. Has this changed at all? (I've asked the recruiter, but he says salary will be discussed only if an offer of employment is made ... so am asking you'all to cut to the chase!)

Are working conditions there better or worse since all the recent terrorist activities in-Kingdom? Two leaves a year with tickets home?

Any info much appreciated.

Mom'taro Arabia · Joined: 12 Aug 2004 Posts: 10

True it's still a mil contracter with uniforms and all, but the promised (and current) 15% addition to base pay is a nice plus Smile

.

Due to security people cant take or post pics of the compound, but most of the staff agree it is much nicer place to live than before (spacious villas, 2 pools..even a bowling alley Wink

if that floats your boat, but most appreciate more the unfiltered WWW .

The military style bothers some people, but frankly I ve seen Boy Scout troops that had tougher, more serious guys. The ex-military guys are mostly ex-tankers who live for weekends and vacations, not push ups before dawn...so, in short, it's fairly relaxed.

As far as the 5.5 days a week, that changed to 5/week (years back, i am told) Vinnell has had to try a bit harder to PLEASE THE WORKERS since so many mil jobs have popped up in Kabul, Iraq. When they don't sweeten the deal, people vote with their feet.

this sounds strange and unrelated to English teachers, but if you realize the ESL school is a small section, then you see why they don't negotiate contracts/ hours spent at school differently with ESlers.

The bottom line is that you get good pay every pay day, lots of vaca (weekends always count as days worked!) No more school buses, by the way) and most guys say this is an easier teaching job than average.

whether you hate wearing a uniform, showing a badge when you come home, and having to worry a bit about security...remembering that highway traffic is much more likely to crack your skull than some Osama wannabe... is all up to you. to paraphrase Scott , you make your own choices of convenience, style and $$$ and can't whine later you didn't know this was Wonderland. It's the whiners that do the worse in KSA, when their colleagues stop sitting near them in the lounge or restaurant so to not hear their rants. If you can laugh all the way to the bank/beach you can handle it.

i also hear a few guys are finishing contracts now, so should be a few slots to fill quickly.

If you'd rather go to Korea and work for the crappy won and snooze on heated floors, well, have fun, desu ne, aniki. (sorry don't know any Korean)

Taro-kun

EFLT · Joined: 18 Oct 2004 Posts: 13

" It's the whiners that do the worse in KSA"
Boy, do I hear you!

Thanks for the clear picture of Vinnell present.