Work Permits for Geotechnical Engineers
There is big news for the Industry with a new addition to the Shortage Occupations List for Geotechnical Engineers.
A shortfall in qualified, experienced Geotechnical Engineers in the UK has been a long-standing problem and skills shortages have been at the forefront of concern for several years. Although its basis is in the general decline in building and civil engineering graduates the problem is exacerbated by the need for additional specialist study and qualifications in geotechnical engineering.
A post-graduate course is necessary for Geotechnical Engineers; there are a limited number of UK students because of a reduction in UK funds for studentships. Overseas student funding keeps the courses alive, and many of these students want to work in the UK after graduation, but require work permits. Many of these being the permits applied for by our Members.
Evidence of recruitment difficulties through advertising for Geotechnical Engineers had to be proved and the Ground Forum successfully showed that Members experience is that advertising often generates responses from people who are not qualified and that the difficulties of applying discourage many (particularly small companies) from engaging anyone that would need a Work Permit. Inclusion on the Shortage Occupations List will remove the requirements of advertising. It will then be possible to recruit through direct applications.
Previously to obtain a work permit for an overseas employee an employer was required to complete a 12 page application form. Applicants will now be able to jump from Page 7 direct to Page 12 of the application form.
The change will mean that companies applying for work permits will no longer have to demonstrate that the post cannot be filled from within the UK or EU and will make it easier to recruit from Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere, whereas previously full details and supporting evidence had to be provided to show what advertising had already been undertaken to recruit a ‘resident worker’. This included details of responses received and reasons why each applicant had not been employed.
The announcement that Geotechnical Engineers had been included on the Shortage Occupation List was made on the Work Permits website and can be seen at www.workingintheUK.gov.uk and following the links to work permits - applying for a work permit - business and commercial.
The Ground Forum
July 2005
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Eurocode 7