Job offer from the AETG

SimaH · 2011-03-30 18:32:43

Hello everyone,

Ive been offered a teaching english post in Riyadh from a company called the AETG, the arabian education and training group. The pakage they're offering is pretty good but I wnat to know more about them. Does anyone work for this company? if so what are they like? some of the things I've read about them online on other sites are quite negative. Does anyone know if are they are good to work for?

Thanks very much,

Yud · 2011-03-31 08:25:17

Hello SimaH smile

I have introduced your message in a new thread (in Riyadh forum) for more visibility! I hope that you will get some feedback soon about this company!

Regards

slyshooter · 2011-03-31 13:18:42

Hi Sima welcome to the blog

It's a good thing that you asked first, as this group has been quite notorious in terms of employment and warnings have been issued earlier.

Read this for better understandinghttp://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article37206.ece

Perhap's that's why they are offering very attractive packages.

SimaH · 2011-03-31 21:58:07

Thanks slyshooter,

I think I'm going to turn down the offer, I'm a single female and would rather go with a company with a good reputuation even if I have to wait longer for an offer than take a risk with AETG, that article is pretty awful.

Do you know any companies that are good to work for? I'm looking to teach English. I've heard Jeddah is good for teaching but I don't know which companies to trust.

Thanks very much for your help.

sheyma123 · 2011-04-08 15:56:01

eslcafe.com/joblist/

u might find it useful

MisterStretch · 2011-05-10 16:37:05

I've read all the terrible things about AETG, and most seem to be located at PNU or World in Riyadh and seem to involve female teachers.

I expect an offer any day for either Dammam/Dharhan, Jubail or Jeddah, through a recruiter in the UK, m2r.

Does anyone have any experience working with AETG OUTSIDE of Riyadh?

leecart1961 · 2011-11-04 06:56:45

I have also been offered a job at aetg, does anyone work for them now that can give me some advise. Thanks

wooo · 2012-01-18 09:27:19

Hello sane people seeking slef respectable work with decent upright human beings. Keep your sanity and avoid going anywhere near this AETG. There are amongst them some NOT ALL, crazy people!

saudi culture is controlling and non sensical (im a muslim male), but whats worse is that the westerners that come to AETG for work and remain are normally of three categories: 1. those who are western muslims and want to live a life in which practising their religion is easy. 2. those who are non muslim and are passing by on their travels around the world. 3. Those who wouldnt have a chance in the world of getting a job anyhwere else in the world because of reasons like there emotitonal or physical conditions.

We have managers from the west who have left there western morals. principles and values and have become just as dictators themselves.

Im happy im out of this nonesense! Stay away from RAFI AND JIM! Management has changed in the academy and its become worse than ever before!

There currently recruiting like crazy because the majority of the staff would leave if they found another opportunity elsewhere.

shmally · 2012-01-18 19:49:08

read this before accept any offer from this company
http://www.expatexchange.com/expat/inde … id=3348294

Alliecat · 2012-01-19 06:56:48

Good link, shmally. Let's hope that the people who are working with recruiters (who are popping up like mushrooms, enticed by easy money) have searched out everything they can find before making a commitment.

Umut_teacher · 2012-01-20 11:42:17

Wow the comments reveal everything about this company. I have als been offered a teaching position there, but didnot accept it as the offer seemed ridiculous. Split shift and moving to other cities time to time when needed.

saudiman · 2012-01-24 03:07:10

I want to tell you of my own experience at AETG. I was placed there by World Education Group and they are no longer working with AETG.

I lasted five months, late April to the end of September 2011. When I started they placed me down at King Faisal Hospital, supposedly to teach TOEFL. But I was given no timetable (when would they take the test?) and was supposed to teach the same students a total of 20 hours a week - very disorganized. There was no text to use, and the students themselves had no idea what they wanted - but they did want me to teach them ways to pass the test itself. For ten weeks I struggled with no help at all from the administration and finally I was pulled back to the AETG office by Kahkany who was his all-smiles self, saying the students didn't like me, no explanation given. For the next couple of months, I taught two classes without incident. Then they wanted me to go teach for them down in Kharj, a very small city south of Riyadh. I insisted on going there first to see it and Kahkany said I was not under obligation to accept the assignment if I didn't feel comfortable with it. This never happened because of Ramadan, and one afternoon a driver showed up at my room and started taking my things out to drive me down there, with no warning and he spoke no English at all. I sent him away. And then Mr. RAFI ABDULLAH showed up and started threatening my job with AETG! Kahkany said it was OK, however, in his calming voice, but a few days later he quit, and RAFI took over his position. Then JIM (forgot his last name, Irish guy) suggested I write an apology letter for not taking the job and "disrespecting Saudi culture" saying it would help me with the management. Before I knew it, they had fired me and sent that letter to World Education Group as a "resignation" which was not the case. WEG later told me that AETG stated I was "incompetent" as a teacher and that's why they fired me. But they have fired a LOT of people recently because they have lost contracts and to save face, say that the teacher is always at fault. Also, be warned that there is a director there named ESSA IBRAHIM BARAKATI that also treats Western teachers with disdain and works closely with RAFI and JIM to "weed out" Western teschers that don't do his bidding.

Do yourself a favor and STAY AWAY from these awful people! They are ignorant and rude, and really don't care about people at all.

Last edited by saudiman (2012-01-24 03:08:14)

taseem rasheed · 2012-01-24 19:32:38

hi,,, me from pakistan searching job in saudia arabia.. my qualification is MBA M.SC (ECONOMICS).. KINDLY HELP ME... I HAVE 5YEARS TEACHING EXPERIENCE.

mesfin184 · 2012-01-27 14:01:07

hello every one, I have five years banking experience and 9 months sales experience. I'm 29 and married, living in Ethiopia, Addis Ababa. I have BA degree in economics graduated five years ago. i speaks local languages and English too. I want to leave my country only because of low payment.
I hope my experiences and skill is an asset for companies going to hire me. so, could you help me in searching jog in Saudi Arabia?, on what job positions, when and where? Thank you very much.

with best regar

Alliecat · 2012-01-27 14:07:17

I'm trying to figure out at what point this forum became an employment site!

But, to try to help you, I suggest you go to the following websites to look for jobs and to post your cv's:

www.bayt.com/en/saudi-arabia/jobs
http://www.naukrigulf.com/ni/nijobsearc … obs-saudi/
www.allsaudiarabiajobs.com
www.saudijobs.com

Best of luck.

don1 · 2012-02-23 05:03:12

hey everyone,
i was at AETG for over a year and the only positive out of it is that i now have something to put on my CV.
they are a bunch of unprofessional, inconsiderate and ridiculously bad liars.

i agree with cat.1 and 3...i come under category one and only met people from category 3....didnt meet anybody from category 2.

My advice to everyone is dont take the job at AETG or any teaching company in saudi unless you really MUST. if you fall in cat 1 then definitely take the job for their rubbish is certainly worth taking if you a practising muslim wants to live in an islamic land. and if you cat3 take the job you should be grateful someone gave you a job mate.

Expect nothing and you should be fine

mado_ · 2012-02-23 15:58:01

It is a fact that they are losing so many contracts according to the unskilled marketing team or so.... but really they fired so many recently and Mr. Kahkany who was a really nice man quieted and the policy of administration has changed radically ...

polkadot3 · 2012-03-05 08:50:39

Hi all ,

My husband and I have both been offered posts as ESOL teachers with AETG at the Riyadh campus. After the initial excitement ofthe offer , we went on line to do our investigations on the company.

We are being place by World Staff Recruitment, based in the UK (consultant is Paul Myers of the Resource Team). The comments on the company are not good, only one positive review.
I would like to know from teachers currently employed by AETG, if the conditions are still bad, and particularly ,experience from married teaching couples based with the group.

Our contract will commence in September 2012, we are really keen for this opportunity , so I do not want this to cloud our judgement.

Any and all comments are welcome.

Aminstar2 · 2012-03-05 09:41:33

SimaH wrote:
Thanks slyshooter,

Do you know any companies that are good to work for? I'm looking to teach English. I've heard Jeddah is good for teaching but I don't know which companies to trust.
.

I know some English teachers working for Education Experets and they are fine with it.

Lou Well · 2012-05-02 13:16:29

Hi polkadot,

I am in exactly the same position...this guy Paul says these reports on blogs etc are all old news and management has been reshuffled and he's been hearing good things from teachers there now. But...who knows? it's always hard to tell whether- as he said- teachers have a problem with Saudi generally- or that particular school. Where are people coming from, in terms of expectations? I was thinking of going there with my wife and son- well, for them to join me later. Also was very keen on the idea before, but likewise having definite second thoughts on seeing this article and blog posts...didn't find the positive one yet! Would love to hear if you come across any more recent information!
By the way, I was also told that the September start date is a formality thing and one could start whenever. I imagine the same would apply to you, in case you didn't know.

Alliecat · 2012-05-02 14:58:19

Lou Well wrote:
By the way, I was also told that the September start date is a formality thing and one could start whenever.

That should tell you something right there. If they are continually hiring, it means people are continually leaving.

polkadot3 · 2012-05-02 15:08:33

Or that the company is doing well and requires staff to take on new projects.

Alliecat · 2012-05-02 15:13:19

polkadot3 wrote:
Or that the company is doing well and requires staff to take on new projects.

You know, that's an excellent 'glass-half-full' way to look at it, but this is a post from a couple days ago that I found interesting:

sallyann08 wrote:
Ed Ex don't take your passport away if you come on the 90 day Business work visit visa. Also, it began from the date I arrived & was renewed 90 days from then. Consequently, many people since I've been here have chosen to book a ticket & go home. They've had no problems. They usually go just after pay day,so it's always interesting to see who hasn't turned up for work at that time.

Sounds like continually leaving to me and this from somebody who is currently working for them.

Last edited by Alliecat (2012-05-02 15:14:14)

polkadot3 · 2012-05-17 12:50:47

Hi all

We have accepted the offers with AETG and arrive d in the kingdom on the 15 /05, So far so good, We were collected at the airport, nice Driver , Delawar. They put us up into a hotel with long stay apartments, decor needs some help, but it is big and clean.

I have to go and buy some pots and pans , but the place came with a fridge, Mic and gas stove. You have to ask for some of the stuff not provided.

I have not started teaching as yet. My only gripe is that I will not be based at a Uni but at the academy teaching all levels of English. The staff at the ladies academy all seem professional and I kep my fingers crossed that all continues well.

We are enjoying Saudi so far. Good luck to all.

Saudi's are irrational , so everybody needs to have "Wasta" - influence with some body :-)

Alliecat · 2012-05-17 13:12:35

Best of luck, polkadot!

polkadot3 · 2012-05-18 14:08:29

Fingers and toes crossed wink wink

hanmac · 2012-05-21 11:44:40

Hi polkadot3,

I've also been offered a job with AETG and having read the reviews am apprehensive to say the least. I've gone through World Staff and they are telling me that everything is fine now and they've had a big change-up. I know you haven't been there long, but what's your initial reaction and what advice would you give?

Thanks smile

polkadot3 · 2012-05-21 16:36:04

THe crap thing with the company is that they have most teachers working a split shift as it is nearly the end of the year and there projects at the universities have ended. Split shift hours are 8 - 12, then you go home and the guys go back to the mens academy for a 5-9 shift.

We are having to get used to the hours but it can be a killer and not advisable.

Jim at the mens Academy is the Head of English and is Irish and is an amazing guy. He has helped us move apartments andd facilitates when and where he can.

I personally do not think irt is a bad company to work for, but I am an easy going person. I have had my issues with the way that HR slow at doing their job at the womans campus , but I think that it is the culture of HR at all companies. Some say it is best if you apply directly to a Uni and not through an English Academy.

Good Luck

Good Luck

Lanara_27 · 2012-05-22 12:06:14

Save yourself and find a different recruiting agency. I have recently been screwed over by them. They promise you reimbursement for expenses like visas and they never to; they promise ppl to bring their families over and never do. They owe me 18000SR. They messed up my visa renewal and I was stuck in Bahrain and they wouldn't help me get an important document from Saudi Immigration to get me out of Bahrain. I had to have my friends drive over to break into my apartment to look for the document in my files. The compound they put you in to live on is barely maintained- holes in ceiling, our refrigerator broke 3 times in 3 months and we lost food each time. You don't have a key to the gate at the compound and men security guards have to let you in. You don't have a key to your front door only your bedroom so anybody can walk in at anytime. I HIGHLY DON'T recommend AETG. They simply don't care about you and see you as a number.

Alliecat · 2012-05-22 12:08:40

Lanara_27 wrote:
Save yourself and find a different recruiting agency. I have recently been screwed over by them. They promise you reimbursement for expenses like visas and they never to; they promise ppl to bring their families over and never do. They owe me 18000SR. They messed up my visa renewal and I was stuck in Bahrain and they wouldn't help me get an important document from Saudi Immigration to get me out of Bahrain. I had to have my friends drive over to break into my apartment to look for the document in my files. The compound they put you in to live on is barely maintained- holes in ceiling, our refrigerator broke 3 times in 3 months and we lost food each time. You don't have a key to the gate at the compound and men security guards have to let you in. You don't have a key to your front door only your bedroom so anybody can walk in at anytime. I HIGHLY DON'T recommend AETG. They simply don't care about you and see you as a number.

Jeeze. What a nightmare! You still in the Kingdom?

Lanara_27 · 2012-05-22 12:12:42

It was stressfully and emotionally draining!!!

I'm in Dubai at the moment. I have a job lined up in Riyadh for the fall. smile

Where are you working?

Alliecat · 2012-05-22 12:38:17

Lanara_27 wrote:
It was stressfully and emotionally draining!!!

I'm in Dubai at the moment. I have a job lined up in Riyadh for the fall.

Where are you working?

I'm in Riyadh. Why would you leave Dubai to come back here?!? smile

Lanara_27 · 2012-05-22 12:41:45

All my friends!!! <3

sweetsoul2012 · 2012-05-22 18:22:06

Yes. I know someone who knows them inside out.

yaser79 · 2012-05-23 20:50:15

I am absolutely stunned and terrified about AETG now !!!!!!!!!!!!!! i have already signed the contract and am supposed to join next month. I want some real advise from somebody there............plz plz tell me about the latest..............anyone..........

tvaddict · 2012-05-24 01:52:00

Yes I too have been given a job offer by AETG but havent accepted. All the above seems quite self-explanatory... ie it's not really worth it.... I guess it's just the money.... it really seemed like a fantastic opportunity:( I would like to hear a bit more from polkadot.... but i guess im just in denial.... i shouldnt be thinking about this:(

Lou Well · 2012-05-24 01:59:51

get your contact in the agency to put you in touch with someone who is actually there. I am in a similar situation. No disrespect to anyone but you never know the whole picture through the internet and experiences of particular people whose back story and details of their particular experience you don't know. I simply cannot believe the woman above is owed 18000 SR. What is that about? One definite impression I am getting from the various scare stories on here is that if you are a woman, you will definitely find it harder. But there are a lot of people working for them I believe who are by other accounts quite happy with it. I feel one needs to be positive as possible and highly adaptable.. Send me a mail if you want, ghoufran[at]yahoo.co.uk ..I would also love to hear more, especially from anyone now working there, though it is possible that they might not be on such a forum since now not looking for work or out of it and feeling bitter. You have to remember your experience will be unique and not let your impression be coloured by someone elses account of their unique experience. People also like to make a drama getting into putting places down and discouraging people... That's how it seems to me anyway. Good luck...

in2deep · 2012-06-13 23:46:44

I have been offered a job, can anyone tell me what it is like working for AETG please.

Lanara_27 · 2012-06-14 11:53:25

Lou Well,

Here are the expense lists that they said in writing they would reimburse me and never did:

December 28, 2011
Visa Renewal Expense list in America

• $180.00 Executive Health Services, October 4, 2011, chest x-ray and medical exam
• $507.00 Doctor Express, November 23, 2011, first set of labs
• $448.00, Quest Diagonstics, December 15, 2012, second set of labs
• $14.00, Postal Money Order to the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, December 5, 2011
• $180.00, Postal Money Order to visa processing agency, December 5, 2011 for processing
• $42.00 mailing documents to visa processing agency, December 5, 2011
• $5.65 return mailing fees

5162.85SR/$1376.65 = TOTAL

-AND-

April 8, 2012
Visa Renewal Expense list in Bahrain

• 577.187BD, 3 nights at Ritz Hotel
• 10.300BD, dinner at Coccoon Lounge
• 100SR, gas from Ritz to Bahrain-Saudi Border
• 100SR, gas from Bahrain-Saudi Border to Ritz
• 20SR, border fee Bahrain-Saudi
• 20SR, border fee Saudi-Bahrain
• 20SR, to rebuy car insurance in Bahrain
• $30USD, Skype fees to make outbound calls
• 6BD, taxi from Ritz to Moon Plaza Hotel
• 4BD, taxi from Moon Plaza to Al Gosaibi Agency
• 3BD, Room Service tips
• 3BD, taxi from Coccoon to Moon Plaza
• 8BD, taxi from Moon Plaza to Al Gosaibi and back to Moon Plaza

668.794BD/6680SR = TOTAL

Mind you, I was stuck in Bahrain at the fault of AETG. They assured me my visa would not expire until April 15, 2012. Before I left KSA to visit Bahrain on March 28th 2012, I informed them of my itinerary and requested documents to take to renew my visa. They declined and assured my visa was valid. After not being allowed to cross back into the Kingdom by the Saudi Border Control Guards, AETG blamed me for causing the situation, and then blamed the Bahraini Guards for being lazy and not looking at the "system." Furthermore, AETG would not help me secure a copy of my Final Exit from my previous job which was needed to process a renewal visa. They placed me in a ghetto hotel with a strip club attached to the hotel where hookers stand outside at night. AETG also threatened to send me back home if I didn't let someone break into my apartment to get my hardcopy of the document. They booked me a hotel 4 days after I informed them of being stuck in Bahrain, they got me phone credit 6 days after I informed them multiple times, they expected me to pay for visa processing renewal when I repeatedly told them I hadn't enough money. After I got back to KSA, they withheld my March paycheck from me, then deducted 4000SR from my April paycheck.

Lou Well, you still need me to continue? Because I can post the reply emails from Salem Amin..

polkadot3 · 2012-06-14 19:19:30

I have not worked at another company in the Kingdom, so do not know what the admin and management is like elsewhere. AETG seems to pay the lowest salary, Unless u negotiate hard with them.

If you are new to the Kingdom, the apathy of management will drive u to tears, but the teachers and students are lovely.

Look around before u accept any offers.

Last edited by polkadot3 (2012-06-14 19:20:20)

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Job offer from the AETG

#1 2011-03-30 18:32:43

Job offer from the AETG

#2 2011-03-31 08:25:17

Re: Job offer from the AETG

#3 2011-03-31 13:18:42

Re: Job offer from the AETG

#4 2011-03-31 21:58:07

Re: Job offer from the AETG

#5 2011-04-08 15:56:01

Re: Job offer from the AETG

#6 2011-05-10 16:37:05

Re: Job offer from the AETG

#7 2011-11-04 06:56:45

Re: Job offer from the AETG

#8 2012-01-18 09:27:19

Re: Job offer from the AETG

#9 2012-01-18 19:49:08

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#10 2012-01-19 06:56:48

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#11 2012-01-20 11:42:17

Re: Job offer from the AETG

#12 2012-01-24 03:07:10

Re: Job offer from the AETG

#13 2012-01-24 19:32:38

Re: Job offer from the AETG

#14 2012-01-27 14:01:07

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#15 2012-01-27 14:07:17

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#16 2012-02-23 05:03:12

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#17 2012-02-23 15:58:01

Re: Job offer from the AETG

#18 2012-03-05 08:50:39

Re: Job offer from the AETG

#19 2012-03-05 09:41:33

Re: Job offer from the AETG

SimaH wrote:

#20 2012-05-02 13:16:29

Re: Job offer from the AETG

#21 2012-05-02 14:58:19

Re: Job offer from the AETG

Lou Well wrote:

#22 2012-05-02 15:08:33

Re: Job offer from the AETG

#23 2012-05-02 15:13:19

Re: Job offer from the AETG

polkadot3 wrote:

sallyann08 wrote:

#24 2012-05-17 12:50:47

Re: Job offer from the AETG

#25 2012-05-17 13:12:35

Re: Job offer from the AETG

#26 2012-05-18 14:08:29

Re: Job offer from the AETG

#27 2012-05-21 11:44:40

Re: Job offer from the AETG

#28 2012-05-21 16:36:04

Re: Job offer from the AETG

#29 2012-05-22 12:06:14

Re: Job offer from the AETG

#30 2012-05-22 12:08:40

Re: Job offer from the AETG

Lanara_27 wrote:

#31 2012-05-22 12:12:42

Re: Job offer from the AETG

#32 2012-05-22 12:38:17

Re: Job offer from the AETG

Lanara_27 wrote:

#33 2012-05-22 12:41:45

Re: Job offer from the AETG

#34 2012-05-22 18:22:06

Re: Job offer from the AETG

#35 2012-05-23 20:50:15

Re: Job offer from the AETG

#36 2012-05-24 01:52:00

Re: Job offer from the AETG

#37 2012-05-24 01:59:51