News & Events

Sponsorship Under the Points Based System

13 October 2008

Employers who wish to recruit migrant workers under Tier 2 (currently known as work permits) or Tier 5 (Temporary Workers and Youth Mobility) should apply for a sponsor licence as soon as possible. 

Employers should register with the UK Border Agency before November 2008 to avoid delays to their recruitment processes.

The online application form is now available

Skills Shortage Lists published

13 October 2008

The Shortage Occupation list for UK & Scotland has been published. Stakeholders in Scotland had the opportunity to contribute to Migration Advisory Service (MAC) data collection for their report on where the skills shortages in Scotland lie.

Have you highlighted gaps in your business sector?

FREE 'Law At Work' Seminars!

9 October 2008

Hear how other smaller businesses have achieved equality in the workplace and how you can reap the business benefits at one of a series the FREE workshops. Aimed particularly at small and medium-sized business around Scotland, they have been organised by Law At Work Ltd (in junction with the Scottish Government and the Scottish Union of Supported Employment (SUSE). Each session lasts approx. 1.5 hours and highlights why it is important to your organisation.

10 Oct 2008 
Kelso Racecourse, Kelso
Roxburghshire TD5 7SX
Email: bbrodie@scotborders.gsx.gov.uk or joyce.quilietti@shaw-trust.org.uk

20 Oct 2008 
Moray College, Moray St
Elgin IV30 1JJ
Email: david.stewart@hient.co.uk

28 Oct 2008
Kirkcaldy
Sandra.Wilson@fife.gov.uk

Buffet and refreshments will available on the day so please let us know if you have any dietary or access requirements.

HURRY – LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE!

Equality Matters in Business

9 October 2008

Equality Matters in Business is a pioneering two-year pilot project, aimed at working with Scottish businesses to raise awareness of the business benefits of diversity in the workplace. This is a Scottish Government funded project delivered through Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

More about Equality Matters in Business

Firms set to benefit from new Scholarship Scheme

9 October 2008

Britain's electronics and electrical engineering sector is set to benefit from the University of Edinburgh's new scholarship 'pooling' scheme that will make it easier for leading companies to recruit gifted students.

Ten companies are backing the scheme – the first of its kind in the UK – which offers financial support to high-performing electronics and electrical engineering students.

Find out more about the scholarship scheme

Closure of Highly Skilled Migrant Programme and other work-based categories

23 June 2008

On Monday 30 June 2008, Tier 1 of the new points-based system will open globally. The Home Office will complete the roll-out of Tier 1 (General) worldwide and introduce the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur), Tier 1 (Investor) and Tier 1 (Post Study Work) categories. Tier 1 will replace eight existing immigration categories:

Changes to skills shortgage list

6 June 2008

The Borders immigration agency have added new occupations to the national shortage occupation list for work permits and amended two occupation titles. From 18 July 2008 we will remove certain occupations from the list. Full details of all these changes are below.

Home Office issues 'Statements of Intent' on Tier 2 (skilled workers) and Tier 5 (temporay workers and youth mobility)

6 May 2008

The Home Office has issued 2 new important documents in relation to its programme of immigration reform. These are to allow those affected by the changes (employers as well as employees) to have time to prepare for changes likely to come into effect in the autumn.

The Statement of Intent for Tier 2 includes five key changes for skilled workers coming to the UK, including the requirement of employers to have a licence; and English language competence for employees. The Statement of Intent for Tier 5 includes information on the requirement of the individual to have a Certificate of Sponsorship; and a maintenance assessment.

Since February of this year companies are coming under closer scrutiny from the Home Office in relation to legally employing international workers. The UK Border Agency has a useful Preventing illegal working section on its website to help keep employers right.

ACAS also provides training to employers in relation to taking on migrant workers: visit the ACAS website to find out when a course is available in Scotland.

Sponsorship under the Points Based System

8 January 2008

Read the Home Office's 'Statement of Intent' in relation to business and educational institutions:

Sponsorship Under the Points Based System (PDF, 767Kb)

More information about the Points Based System

Global Financial Services Week 26-30 May

Sponsored by Scotland's Financial Services Authority Board (FiSAB) the aim of the week is to showcase the strength and depth of the Financial Services industry in Scotland to stakeholders in Scotland, the rest of the UK and international markets.

The centrepiece of the week's events is the Global Financial Services Conference involving some of the world's most respected experts in international finance at which First Minister Alex Salmond will give the keynote address. To find out how you can participate please visit: The Global Financial Services Week