BritishExp

Hello. Any progress with your offer? My recruitment is still on hold. It looks like will be Jan/Feb.

Shahzada99

No progress, they are still awaiting Saudi client approval. With the end of the year and holidays, most likely Jan or Feb 2024.

mjmd87

Hi mate, found your comments on JCPDI to be very insightful. I've recently returned acceptance on a job offer for JCPDI and am awaiting client approval. Was wondering if you could advise if many of the western managers have brought family with them even for intermittent periods?

I'm UK based with a young family and our intention would be that they would come over every other rotation. Searching for suitable accommodation online is challenging to say the least. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

In general how is the life in camp/Jazan? Is there decent and ever increasing number of 'westerners'?

Ilovegregggs

There's one who has moved his family from Canada, originally from the States. We chatted and it doesn't seem like a great move. Another guy brought his kids over for a visit and toured around KSA for a couple of weeks. That seemed more of a success story. Unsure how he managed to move his family across as the contract I signed which I assumed was standard is quite clear on the "single status".

Life in Jazan is quite dull, I'd bring the family once and never again. So far, after all I have reported, the wife has yet to become enthusiastic enough to take me up on the offer. Farasan islands and soudha mountains would be nice to see for someone, Fifa mountains as well, but it's a bit less developed and the roads are very dangerous.

Personally, I can't wait for my 8 weeks to be up and go home, or go anywhere else. It's good to have a break from the heat, dust storms and what is otherwise a constant reminder of work.

Camp life is what you make of it. Many have moved off base now, we get an allowance if you chose to. But I doubt those who moved to Jazan are happy with their daily 2 hour commute in total when you already spend 11 hours in the office a day. Baish is a little closer, but still 30 minutes each way. The camp isn't great, but it's very convenient and depending on your office location is between 5 and 10 minutes each way. There's a good bunch of guys there who put together a weekly social program to stay busy. We are increasing year on year as projects begin to kick off. I've been in the camp almost 2.5 years now, so quite used to the lifestyle it offers. And also seen numbers of westerners grow. There are other companies in the camp as well like Siemens, so opportunities exist to socialise outside of the work colleague environment.

mjmd87

Cheers thanks for the reply. Would definitely look to have the family out in offsite accommodation for at least 1 cycle I reckon, play it by ear see how it goes. I imagine Jizan is similar to Sohar (Oman) so wont be great shock to me i dont think. Saw you mentioned in an earlier post the approvals/sign off process is a bit behind, still the case? I'm hopeful of receiving the green light next week but from previous experience of GCC life I know how things can play out sometimes. Eager to get over at this stage.

Ilovegregggs

We just got a guy onboard at the tail end of last week, he was meant to have shown up in October. The other guy that was meant to start with him has just been pushed back by a month. Those in the know are not telling anyone why, including the hiring department managers. Not sure if parsons related or client related.

The Jazan region is probably the least area together with najran in all of KSA. There really isn't much in the city, far less in the other provincial towns and cities. But yeah, could be an adventure for sure.

mjmd87

Hi, have you had any progress with your recruitment? Do you mind me asking which programme you are waiting to be mobilised to?

BritishExp

Hello.
For Qiddiya project. Still waiting for client approval since October.
What is your project and progress?

mjmd87

Hi, Jazan. Waiting since December.

Andrew1398

Clarify the security protocols with Parsons considering the current situation. Parsons at present had nothing.

mjmd87

Hi, are you currently awaiting clearance to join a project over there?

Ilovegregggs

We are all issued a worldcue app, and all departments have coms gear to survive an outage, as well as an evac strat. But this has been in place for years, given the security issues/drones on the Yemen /Saudi border.

BritishExp

Hello
Have you heard anything from your recruiters?

Shahzada99

No update from Parsons to date. I have been offered a role at NEOM directly with client, so accepted their offer instead and they have moved on this very quickly. All checks completed and Waiting for saudi visa and should look to move out there in April.

BritishExp

It looks like all Parsons recruitment is on hold for some reason. Congratulations. Good luck there and all the best.