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Article for Ground Engineering "Talking Point"
Print this pageUK Work Permits for Geotechnical Engineers from overseas
In the Ground Engineering profession, we are coming to terms with the shortage of qualified ground engineers, particularly those in their thirties. It is a well known fact that, despite all the warnings of an impending shortage some twenty years ago, nothing was done. The arguments as to the cause, a combination of the slump in the construction industry, the associated dip in graduate starting salaries and appeal of the megabucks that the City was offering in the financial sector for those with geo-related degrees, are well documented.
The shortage was not helped by the image of our industry and the lack of school leavers attracted to studying at Bachelor or Masters level for ground engineering degrees.
The closure of courses in these subjects due to the lack of interest has only compounded the problem.
Many employers have resorted to recruiting staff from other EU countries, the former Soviet block, SE Asia, Southern Africa and the antipodes in an attempt to fill this gap.
This has given a short term benefit to both parties. However, having gained experience, most young post graduates return to their home countries to join firms with a burgeoning ground engineering workload in rapidly expanding economies with associated large spending on complex construction infrastructure.
With the worries a few years ago on immigration, the UK Government acted and as part of the new control measures introduced a revised Work Permits (UK) scheme administered through the Home Office that included the “Shortage Occupation List”.
his implementation resulted in employers having to complete a lengthy form explaining the advertising procedure that had been followed, the lack of response from both UK and EU nationals and why the post had to be filled by someone from overseas.
This was a cumbersome process and was causing considerable additional burden on already overworked senior staff of ground engineering employers in an attempt to recruit staff. As a result, a well informed presentation was made by Ground Forum, which represents the UK bodies connected with ground engineering, including the learned societies and trade associations, to persuade the Home Office Managed Migration Policy Team to include the categories of ground engineers on the List.
The procedure has taken about 18 months to be completed and was caught up in the purdah process leading up to and over the period of the General Election last May.
Following the appointment of the new Minister, permission was granted and the Home Office has included “Geotechnical Engineer” on the Shortage Occupation List and widened its definition significantly. This change makes it easier for employers in the UK to recruit ground engineering professionals from overseas to fill vacancies caused by the skills shortages.
Under the definition of “Geotechnical Engineer”, the Home Office has recognised the following ground engineering disciplines:
- Engineering Geologist
- Geoenvironmental Engineer
- Geological Analyst
- Geological Associate
- Geological Engineer
- Geologist/Hydrogeologist
- Geology/Reservoir Engineer
- Geomechanics Engineer
- Geophysical Specialist
- Geophysicist
- Geoscientist
- Geosupport Engineer
- Geotechnical Advisor
- Geotechnical Engineer
- Ground Engineer
- Contaminated Land Specialist
The introduction of this broad definition on the Shortage Occupation List means, in effect, that employers will no longer have to prove that a professional post could not be filled from recruiting within the United Kingdom or European Union.
This is a great achievement by Ground Forum to influence government, for the benefit of employers in the construction industry. The success has owed much to the assistance of Ground Forum Members working together in supplying the recruitment statistics needed to support the case for this change.
Details of the new and much simplified application process for Work Permits (UK) is found at www.workingintheUK.gov.uk. Follow the links to “Work Permits”, “Applying for a Work Permit” and then “Business and Commercial”. This brings up the Shortage Occupations. The occupation of Geotechnical Engineer will be listed under “Other Occupations, Engineers (Other)”. The practical effect is that, when completing the Form for an overseas applicant’s Work Permit, the employer can jump from Page 7 to Page 12 – this represents a significant saving of time and administrative effort.
It should be recognised that this is only a temporary solution to part of the problem. Ground Forum is constantly reminding government of the necessity of a highly qualified and experienced ground engineering sector and is working through the Construction Industry Council to achieve this aim. It is encouraging for the future to see the renaissance of ground engineering with courses full at Portsmouth University and, to some extent, elsewhere.
How embarrassing for the UK if it is unable to deliver on time the necessary infrastructure in both London and the Thames Gateway in order to host the 2012 Olympics. The Lea Valley has some complex geo-environmental challenges!
The future of Ground Engineering in the UK has not looked so bright for a generation.
Rodney Chartres is Chairman of Ground Forum and a director of geo-environmental specialist Rural Arisings.