The UK government has eased visa requirements to address the labour shortfall in the construction sector. The advantages for particular professions in the construction industry, the justification for the choice, and how Brexit may affect labour migration are all covered in this article.
By easing visa requirements and allowing the hiring of foreign employees, the UK government has enacted new steps to solve the manpower crisis in the construction sector. The specifics of the updated legislation, the advantages they provide for particular construction roles, and the reasoning for the choice will all be covered below. Let us dive right in!
New Visa Regulations to Draw Foreign Workers
The UK government has relaxed its regulations regarding visas for foreign employees to help construction companies fulfil open positions. These adjustments streamline the hiring process for construction professions, such as Bricklayers, Masons, Roofers, Roofing tilers, Slaters, Carpenters, Joiners, and Plasterers.
The new visa regulations attempt to entice foreign labour by lowering the cost of visas, relaxing the requirements for employment, and providing incentives for occupations with a labour shortage. However, along with the relaxation, there are a few more things to know:
English Language Requirement: Candidates need to be proficient in English in addition to obtaining a job offer from a company.
Lower Visa Fees for Occupations with a Shortage of Workers: Workers in occupations with a shortage of workers, such as those in the construction industry, pay lower visa fees.
Additional Read: The Departure of More than 500,000 Workers Put the UK Economy in Danger
Visa Eligibility and Compensation: Workers in occupations where workers are scarce may be paid up to 80% of the going wage while eligible for a visa.
The Shortage Occupation List: It is regularly reviewed to ensure relevance. A revision is expected by autumn this year. The shortage occupation list is regularly reviewed every six months.
Positive Effects of the New Regulations
People who apply for these construction jobs will benefit from the amended laws, which relax the employment requirements and cut visa expenses. Nevertheless, candidates must still meet several requirements, such as receiving a job offer from an employer and meeting the English language competency criterion.
Dealing with the Labour Shortages
The UK urgently needs qualified people because of severe labour shortages in some industries. The government wants to close the labour deficit, support national infrastructure projects, and foster expansion in allied businesses by adding construction jobs to the list of occupations with shortages. The independent Migration Advisory Committee’s March recommendations were considered while making this choice.
Impact of Brexit on Labour Shortages
Critics claim that because EU citizens can no longer freely enter the country to work in Britain without a visa,hence the labour shortage problem has worsened since the UK left the EU. To address these issues, and guarantee a consistent supply of skilled personnel in the sector, amendments have been made to the visa regulations for employees in the construction sector.
Maintaining Economic Stability and Managing Migration
After net migration to Britain hit a record high of 606,000 last year, the government promised to cut back on immigration. The government can efficiently control migrant flows while resolving labour shortages in the construction industry by incentivizing foreign employees to fill shortage vocations.
Wrapping Up
The UK government wants to address workforce shortages and support national infrastructure initiatives by easing visa requirements for foreign employees in the construction sector. The government aims to foster expansion in allied businesses while addressing the problems brought on by Brexit by including construction occupations on the shortage occupation list.
These actions act as a tactical response to secure a consistent flow of competent labour candidates and sustain financial stability in the building industry. If you are an employer in the UK looking to hire skilled workers for your business, we at Dynamic Staffing Services, can assist you. With the help of our more than 45 years of expertise in the recruitment business, we can help you find the right talent matching your requirements.
Contact us today at +44-7477196844 or email enquiry@dss-hr.co.uk, and let’s discuss your recruitment challenges and how we can help you overcome those. Additionally, you can follow the most recent trends, news, and job updates by subscribing to our newsletter.
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