IT knocked off skills shortage list

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zesto

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UK employers wanting to hire skilled IT workers from abroad will have a tougher time passing the new points-based migration system than employers with "shortage jobs" on offer if new proposals given to the Home Office go ahead.

The government asked independent economic advisors the Migration Advisory Committee to provide "evidence-based advice" on where labour market shortages in the UK exist that can sensibly be filled by migration.

The Committee has responded with a recommended shortage occupation list, and IT is omitted from that list.

If the government accepts the research, which it said is the "most comprehensive study of its kind ever conducted anywhere in the world", it will underpin the new points-based system due to be brought in this November to replace the old work permit scheme.

The ethos of the new system is to ensure that firms try to employ staff from the UK before they offer a job to someone from overseas. It features five tiers and skilled foreign workers fall under Tier 2.

Under the new regime, workers from outside the European Economic Area will have to prove that they have enough points to qualify for a visa.

Points will be awarded for English language competence, qualifications and prospective earnings, as well as for an applicant's ability to support themselves during their first month in Britain.

Civil engineers, geologists, nurses, skilled chefs and maths and science teachers are examples of occupations included on the shortfall list (PDF).

Foreign workers skilled in such disciplines will be able to enter the UK with more ease and fewer points than those in professions not on the list, such as IT.

"Crucially, the points system means that only migrants with the skills Britain needs can come, and no more," said border and immigration minister Liam Byrne.

"Those who do come will need to work hard, play by the rules and speak English."

Byrne added that the system should ensure that Britain reduces the number of skilled migrants from outside Europe by 30 per cent.

But, although the list may limit employers' hiring freedom, it is likely to have positive implications for IT professionals in the UK seeking jobs.

For example, the Professional Contractors Group (PCG), which represents the UK's freelancers, has welcomed the shortage list.

"As the economy enters choppy waters and demand for IT contractors in particular seems to be falling, it is good to see that the Migration Advisory Committee has recognised that there is no overall IT skills shortage in the UK, " said PCG managing director John Brazier.
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http://www.computing.co.uk/vnunet/news/2225700/future-bright-brits

They have left social workers and carers off the list too and people on the ground say they are not able to find enough people to fill the positions.
 
Well this has been coming for a number of years. I suspect that Australia and New Zealand will follow suit at some stage in the future.
 
zesto said:
They have left social workers and carers off the list too and people on the ground say they are not able to find enough people to fill the positions.
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Lol, so that pretty much means UK is no go for me! I'm in IT and my girlfriend is in social work. Hehehe.
 
Excellent!

Should stop riff-raff college graduates with a fresh IT qualification from trying to take chances in the UK.
They should first gain good experience in SA and then they should be welcome to stay in SA or leave as they please.

It should be law that IT professionals from 3rd world countries should prove themselves and their abilities, with solid work experience, before daring to enter the tough employment markets of 1st world countries.
 
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Skinner said:
Excellent!

Should stop riff-raff college graduates with a fresh IT qualification from trying to take chances in the UK.
They should first gain good experience in SA and then they should be welcome to stay in SA or leave as they please.
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Can I go then, Mr. Skinner, sir? :rolleyes:
 
Skinner said:
Excellent!

Should stop riff-raff college graduates with a fresh IT qualification from trying to take chances in the UK.
They should first gain good experience in SA and then they should be welcome to stay in SA or leave as they please.
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And I maintain they should have kept YOU out aswell. Get good experience in SA hahahahaha no frikken ways. What good experience? Being someone's bitch perhaps?
 
Yup. Its not like there's a shortage of skilled IT workers in the UK. I mean, surely we would've notice? Something drastic would have to happen for it to be a problem, say for example the London Stock Exchange had to go down for a whole day. Then I'd say there was a problem, but not before then...
 
My belt is also very tight, but that's because I gained some weight. Guess I must cut the fat.
 
More IT jobs for me then :p

But seriously, if you can get into the UK the IT market is good!
 
SuPaStA said:
More IT jobs for me then :p

But seriously, if you can get into the UK the IT market is good!
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@SuPaStA: What part of IT are you in?
I'm an SAP Consultant

Regarding the market being good, will be interesting to see what impact the current economic conditions have on IT.
I suspect companies will increase the rate at which they offshore work to India as a result of the economic conditions and if they are not able to place skilled people beacuse of visa restrictions.
 
zesto said:
@SuPaStA: What part of IT are you in?
I'm an SAP Consultant

Regarding the market being good, will be interesting to see what impact the current economic conditions have on IT.
I suspect companies will increase the rate at which they offshore work to India as a result of the economic conditions and if they are not able to place skilled people beacuse of visa restrictions.
Click to expand...
Network Engineer.
Who knows, we may get that in the future or we may see companies start paying a lot more for the IT guys with the correct skills/qualifications.

edit:
SAP guys are in demand over here, with VERY good pay.
 
Having another look at the article I think it is not entirely correct.

The list refers to Tier 2: Sponsored Skilled Worker i.e. where an employer applies for a position on your behalf. I would guess this category was abused before by immigration agencies that just sponsor everyone and anyone for huge placement fees.

The HSMP (Highly Skilled Migrant Program) was replaced by Tier 1 since June 2008. Tier 1 is a points system with English as a requirement. I think the writers of the article confuse the list for Tier 2 and the point system for Tier 1, but the two actually have nothing to do with each other. Tier 1 has a list of positions and a sponsor while Tier 2 has no list but a points system.

See also: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/howchangesaffectyou/
Tier 1 (Highly Skilled Worker): http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/tier1/general/
 
That really sucks coz I'm planning a June holiday next year to the UK. I was also hoping to find something there and stay permanently.
 
Actually, not flooded, more like we're seeing a "flattening-out" of the sector as a whole. IT isn't the "next best thing" it used to be anymore. Every company and it's dog has a server, and internet, and a LAN these days.
 
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