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By Sanwar Ali:
Index:
- Introduction: Understanding the UK Graduate Visa Scheme
- An Overview: The Graduate Visa Scheme Underused
- The Graduate Scheme: An Untapped Resource for Employers
- The Skills Shortage Dilemma: The Potential of the Graduate Visa Scheme
- The Sponsor Licence
- Comparing Visa Options: Graduate Visa Scheme vs. Other Visa Categories
- Scepticism Around Government Claims of Successful Immigration Policies
- Practical Steps: How to Take Advantage of the Graduate Visa Scheme
- Conclusion: Why Employers Should Consider the Graduate Visa Scheme
Introduction: Understanding the UK Graduate Visa Scheme
The UK Graduate Visa Scheme, announced as part of the post-Brexit immigration system, permits international students who have completed a course of study in the UK to stay and seek employment for up to two years, or three years for PhD students. The scheme is popular with overseas students as an easy way in which to work in the UK after completing their degree courses.
An Overview: The Graduate Visa Scheme Underused
According to the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI), the Graduate Visa Scheme seems to be underutilised. Employers, potentially unaware of the benefits, have not been taking full advantage of this valuable resource. This scheme could significantly alleviate labour shortages in various sectors, offering employers a wider pool of skilled talent.
The Graduate Scheme: An Untapped Resource for Employers
The Graduate Visa Scheme is an untapped resource for employers who are struggling to fill roles due to the current skills shortages across the UK. Not only does it offer access to skilled and educated individuals ready to enter the job market, but it also allows businesses to recruit from a diverse pool of candidates, fostering innovation and diversity in the workplace.
The Skills Shortage Dilemma: The Potential of the Graduate Visa Scheme
The potential of the Graduate Visa Scheme in addressing the skills shortage is immense. The scheme presents employers with an opportunity to fill vacant positions, ranging from bar staff to professional-level staff, with suitably skilled individuals. With the current widespread skills shortages, this scheme could be the solution many employers are searching for.
The Sponsor Licence
A Sponsor Licence enables UK businesses to employ foreign workers under the Skilled Worker visa category and certain other sponsored work visa categories. One advantage of the Graduate Visa Scheme is that it is not necessary for an employer to have a sponsor licence to employ people under this scheme.
Comparing Visa Options: Graduate Visa Scheme vs. Other Visa Categories
The Graduate Visa Scheme is not the only option available to foreign workers seeking employment in the UK. Other visa categories such as the Skilled Worker Visa, the Global Talent Visa, and the Innovator Founder Visa also provide routes for individuals to live and work in the UK. However, you need a sponsor licence to employ someone under the Skilled Worker visa and it is quite expensive. Not many people come under the Global Talent Visa and the Innovator Founder Visa.
Scepticism Around Government Claims of Successful Immigration Policies
While the government hails the Graduate Visa Scheme as a success, one must approach these claims with a degree of scepticism. It's important to scrutinise the actual impact of the scheme on alleviating labour shortages and attracting foreign talent, instead of merely accepting the government's optimistic outlook.
Practical Steps: How to Take Advantage of the Graduate Visa Scheme
It is very easy to employ graduates under the Graduate Visa scheme. In reality the only thing the employer needs to do is to check right to work for the new employee. Also, the employer should make sure that they do not employ the person beyond any visa expiry date. If the employer wishes to continue to employ the person after the expiry of graduate visa status may be worth considering obtaining a sponsor licence and then sponsoring the person under the Skilled Worker visa scheme.
Conclusion: Why Employers Should Consider the Graduate Visa Scheme
The Graduate Visa Scheme offers employers an avenue to access a diverse pool of educated, skilled talent. With the current skills shortages across various sectors it is a possible source of new employees.
How Workpermit.com Can Help with Sponsor Licences
If you need help with employing Skilled Workers and help to apply for a Sponsor Licence, including complying with your Sponsor Licence obligations, Workpermit.com can help.
For more information and advice, please contact us on 0344 991 9222 or at london@workpermit.com(link sends e-mail)