Korean Job Discussion Forums

[SandyG21]

This is in a Korvia ad here on Daves - is this a new rule?

Maybe a way to get the over 50s to sign up for hagwons or epik?

Really if it is true it hurts them - because the majority of the population is over 50 in the world.

Wonder why they are thinking this way? Any insights?

Here is what it said - Aged over 50, who born after 1960, may be excluded from the selection due to the purpose and the aim of GEPIK

Had to kind of laugh - because the aim of Gepik is for teachers to teach English and I think someone over 50 can do that.

If this is true then will put my resume out there to other countries instead.

[DJTwoTone]

Do you have a link for that???

[blackjack]

I don't think it's a gepik thing. I think it is more a government service type thing (could be wrong)

[SandyG21]

Just scroll up on the page here to jobs - click then find Korean job board and click - then look at the Korvia ad.

[bogey666]

I would think it'd be harder for 50+ to get a gig with a hagwon than GEPIK.

there was definitely a sizable minority of older gepik teachers at orientation.. (40 plus, even 50 plus)

perhaps they've decided they have too many quasi geezers working for them now (don't take that personally, I'm "older" ,LOL) and they want to make the NT's generally "younger" (which they GENERALLY are anyways)

but frankly, I'd personally call BS on that ad, and Korvia.

IF there is ONE thing I could advise any incoming teacher, that would be NOT to apply to GEPIK or EPIK or some POE, BUT apply directly with a school that is looking.

This way you can communicate with current NT and get the lay of the land, school, situation, etc.

instead of rolling the proverbial dice.

[cruisemonkey]

EPIK has had a 'nobody over 55 rule' for quite a while.

Never under estimate the small-mindedness of the Ks!

[Otherside]

[Rteacher]

My memory may be a little faulty, but I recall applying for some EPIK job advertised by a recruiter, and the recruiter quoted a passage from a government source stating the current policy that no new teachers over the age of 54 (I think - or else 56) would be hired by EPIC - or any government-related agencies.

There undoubtedly are a number of teachers over that age still working under government- sponsored contracts in Korea (including myself) but my understanding is that no new teachers will be hired over that age.

From what I've heard from a co-teacher, the Gyeonggi ministry tried to pressure my school to not rehire me for a fifth year because of my age, and they seem eager to hire all the South Africans they can get.

Of course, older teachers also tend to have considerably higher salaries and more medical problems than newbies, so replacing as many as possible would certainly cut costs.

The loss of experienced older teachers figures to cause some drop in the quality of teaching in Korea, but their plan is to get many "certified" teachers from third-world countries who would be eager to work in Korea even at the low-end of the pay-scale.

[andrew]

.....

[Scouse Mouse]

[Rteacher]

The "those over age 50 ... may be excluded due to the aim and purpose of GEPIC" implies that applicants may be considered on a case-by-case basis by GEPIC officials - with perhaps some discretion given to school principals who want to hire someone who's over 50.

[SandyG21]

Korvia has the ad up again today here on Daves. Also says SMOE isn't accepting over 50s. Is this an official policy or is this something Korvia has decided? Yes and the word error is still there under the Gepik program (before/after). Actually the birth year is in error as well.

[Burndog]

It's the recruiter's advertisement and wording...it's certainly nothing from GEPIK...I've met GEPIK teachers over 50...plenty of them. Don't sweat it.

[wylies99]