Job Discussion Forums

[dhalgren17]

I see a job advertisement from Kaplan Aspect on the international job site. It looks pretty good but I can't find any information on this company. Does anyone have any experience working for them?
Thanks,
dhalgren17

[desert_traveller]

i have seen the ad as well, or rather, the ads, as they are all over the internet

my guess would be that kaplan aspect has been contracted by one of the universities in saudi to recruit teachers for the university. there may even be an intermediate (probably saudi) company in between the saudi university and kaplan aspect. i would be surprised to learn that kaplan aspect were going to be involved in the day to day running of the operation

as kaplan aspect is certainly a newbie to saudi arabia, i expect them and all the teachers they deploy to saudi arabia to get screwed real good for at least a year or two, until they figure out how to 'do business' with their 'saudi partner university'

also, as the operation is probably going to be a new one (my first guess would be an english foundation year program at a university), i also expect utter chaos and headlessness for roughly the same period of time as i mentioned above

that is, in my humbe opinion, i mean, obviously

[tillymd]

[johnslat]

Dear tillymd,
Not the way to get ahead, that's for sure.
Regards,
John

[desert_traveller]

[tillymd]

I guess I should stick to weed wacking my yard instead of lurking on this message board.

[desert_traveller]

[hrvoje4]

So the verdict is no go?

I'm in a desperate situation economically and am willing to put up with shenanigans if the pay is as stated. With a Cambridge CELTA, 2yrs experience and a Master degree, do you think Kaplan Aspect will hold to their 3000-4250 offer?

If I could get a decent offer, I'd be willing to put up with a lot, which I've pretty much gotten used to over the years.

[reneebcc]

I've been offered a position from Kaplan too. Since this is a new company what are the pros and cons of working for these people? They have split-shifts just like Arabian Training Group and I'm trying to decide which is better to go with. Any suggestions on the two?

[Jocelyn B]

Hello,
I'm delighted to see a thread about Kaplan, as we just applied to them and I'm a little weary of start-ups. May I ask what you mean about a split shift?
Many Thanks!

[Marquess]

Pretty good? You work for 11 months with just a week off at each Eid and then you take the 12th month as unpaid vacation. How is that good? That is something I have never seen in Saudi Arabia. 2 weeks paid holiday. 11 month contracts are illegal and so I imagine you will be on a business visa hence no rights and endless problems such as car hire bank accounts no access to labour court etc.

[desert_traveller]

ok ok kaplan aspect etc etc but WHO are you going to WORK FOR in saudi arabia?

[reneebcc]

It seems Kaplan is worse than Arabian Training Group. Split-shifts run from working hours (8am-12 then 4-9pm). Who would want to come back out after 4 hours of rest at home and not to mention the transportation cost issue that would follow everytime you leave the house? That would tire a person out real fast in addition to other problems with the company. Aren't there any 8am-4pm positions out there?

[Marquess]

For the love of God why even consider the job? Even the most shite recruiter does not expect you to work for 11 months with just 2 weeks hols and then for a month with nothing. The fact that you have no idea, deliberately of course, who you will be working for and how many employers screams no no no.

[Cleopatra]