Recently, multiple former employees of Tarena Education revealed that the company, facing operational difficulties, underwent a major restructuring several months ago. Its adult IT training business was transferred to Changshui Education Group, and the company has since rebranded as "New Tarena." Recently, the firm implemented further adjustments to its business structure and workforce.
A key department responsible for regional campus resource management, the "Central Region" division, was affected, with over 200 employees nationwide—including telemarketing and customer service staff—being asked to either sign termination agreements or transition to selling tablets and other products.
An internal email obtained from New Tarena stated that the restructuring aims to "ensure team efficiency and provide employees with new career development opportunities." However, transferred employees must undergo a new probation period. Those who fail the assessment risk termination without severance, while those who refuse the transfer receive reduced compensation—far below the legally mandated N+1 standard. This has sparked significant internal resistance, particularly among long-tenured employees.
As of now, Tarena Group has not officially responded to these claims.
**"Central Region" Restructuring Seen as Layoffs in Disguise** According to the email, some employees will be reassigned to a "Smart Center" as sales staff, tasked with selling tablets or health products under a new salary structure.
The adjustment primarily impacts telemarketing and customer service teams under Tarena’s "Central Region" division, which previously managed regional training campuses. Post-restructuring, this department will cease to exist, leaving employees to either resign or accept the new sales roles.
Affected employees estimate over 200 staff are involved, mostly telemarketers, alongside customer service and HR personnel. A veteran employee with over a decade of tenure criticized the move as "disguised layoffs," noting that long-serving staff face either uncertain probation outcomes or inadequate severance.
Many senior employees are now in a standoff with management. Meanwhile, the company has reportedly disabled system access for those refusing transfers, effectively halting their work while delaying or reducing salaries.
**Rebranding and Founder’s Exit** Former employees disclosed that Tarena Education faced severe financial troubles earlier this year, prompting founder Han Shaoyun to sell its adult IT training division to Changshui Education Group. The company has since rebranded as "New Tarena," with Changshui’s chairman, Zhang Shaowei, now holding controlling stakes. Notably, Han Shaoyun no longer appears in shareholder records.
Online searches for "Tarena Education" now redirect to "New Tarena," though employees insist the core operations remain unchanged. However, the shareholder overhaul signals a dramatic shift.
**Parallels to Earlier "Runaway" Scandal** New Tarena’s post-restructuring policy requires campuses to operate self-sufficiently, unlike the previous centralized financial model. This mirrors issues at Tarena’s children’s coding brand, Tongcheng Tongmei, which saw sudden closures in multiple cities earlier this year amid financial struggles.
A former Tongcheng Tongmei regional manager warned that New Tarena’s adult IT training could face a similar fate, as both divisions share management. He cited cases where unprofitable Tongcheng Tongmei branches were abandoned after being forced to operate independently.
**Industry Challenges** Despite the booming IT/AI sector, Tarena’s competitiveness has waned. Employees attribute this to market saturation and eroded information asymmetry advantages. As one noted, "When more players enter, the profit margins shrink, making restructuring inevitable."
The company’s struggles reflect broader challenges in IT training, where rising competition has diminished the edge once held by major institutions like Tarena.
Comments