Job Discussion Forums

SixthAngel · Joined: 16 Feb 2007 Posts: 6

After searching for information about them I have come up with very little. It has been brought up on this site before but so was a very hated school and everyone quickly forgot about this one to argue about the other school. Does anyone have any experience or information they could share?

Brian Caulfield · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Posts: 1247 Location: China

A Newzealand company . I was farmed out by them to Shanxi province and quit after my computer was stolen from my apartment . They tried to arange a job at a university for me but I found out I could make 3,000 rmb more a month by dealing directly with the school .

mfinn · Joined: 25 Sep 2005 Posts: 3 Location: China

The New Zealand connection has been severed for some time and they are now fully Chinese owned and run. Their business is primarily a group �farming out" setup, in that your contract is with Beijing WITT, but your pay, visa, etc etc etc is all handled by the school they assign you to.

I'm reserving judgment on the whole thing until I see how it actually works in practice, but I have a few reservations at this point. I start work for them at the end of August this year.

Wandryss · Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 4 Location: Vermont

I've been offered a job with them in Suzhou. I was wondering how your experience has been with them since August.

william wallace · Joined: 14 May 2003 Posts: 2869 Location: in between

SnoopBot · Joined: 21 Jun 2007 Posts: 740 Location: USA

I would like to add my comments for those that are looking at positions via companies that are owned by Western Entities.

China has a law that states a company cannot be owned by a Western Entity, it must be Joint owned with more than 50% Chinese ownership.
(unless it invest millions of dollars into China i.e. Microsoft ETC.)

So the chances you are going through and honest company that will honor your contract just like they would do back in the home country is the same as going through a 100% Chinese company.

Often the New Zealand or Canadian Owned person is also Chinese owned that either has dual citizenship or is a legal immigrant in that western country.

I know a few of those Canadian Owned companies are nothing but a web site, and a few cell phone numbers operated by Chinese living in Canada.

Don't be fooled by these claims, still do your homework.

For the record I don't know anything about this particular company so cannot comment + or - on them.

mfinn · Joined: 25 Sep 2005 Posts: 3 Location: China

Fiskadoro · Joined: 26 Nov 2004 Posts: 17 Location: China

Hmm, does anyone know exactly what happened?

A couple of years ago I had an interview over the phone with them to teach EAP. Was interviewed by a Kiwi bloke who seemed to know his stuff r.e. TESOL.

I didn't take the job in the end, but I remember it was a two year contract with substantial contract completion bonus. Sounds like I might have had a lucky escape.

Trevor Wadlow · Joined: 14 Oct 2007 Posts: 103 Location: china

I have been working for Witt for three months now. Any problems I have encountered have been nothing to do with the company. In fact, they have always been extremely helpful and professional. As for negotiating directly with a school, I would have thought this was risky as you only have the school to resort to if anything goes wrong. Witt are a good company to work for as they are always prepared to give people a chance, which means that newbies can gain valuable experience knowing that there is a reputable company supporting them.

vikuk · Joined: 23 May 2007 Posts: 1842

Trevor Wadlow · Joined: 14 Oct 2007 Posts: 103 Location: china

I did, actually. Before being posted we attended a three day seminar in Shanghai. Around fifty people were present, some of whom had been working for Witt for years. The only criticisms of Witt that I heard were that they sometimes gave chances to people who others felt didn't deserve the time of day. So think I have a pretty good idea what I'm talking about.

vikuk · Joined: 23 May 2007 Posts: 1842

Trevor Wadlow · Joined: 14 Oct 2007 Posts: 103 Location: china

I don't really know what else to add. Before signing my contract I got the son of a friend to check out Witt and he said they were fine. I wouldn't come all this way from the UK, leaving behind a lucrative job, if they weren't. However, as per an earlier message, I am sure other companies write on this group (I've heard there are around twenty companies competing for business in China), slagging each other off so as to generate business. I no longer trust anything on this group. I'll speak to people face to face and conduct my own research. End of story.

vikuk · Joined: 23 May 2007 Posts: 1842

Trevor Wadlow · Joined: 14 Oct 2007 Posts: 103 Location: china

I can't be bothered with this forum any more. As you all appear to be suspicious to the point of paranoia. There is clearly nothing here of any use.