Shortage of Civil Engineers in the UK The civil engineering sector in the UK has long been facing a shortage of skilled professionals. This shortage existed even before the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit, but these events have further exacerbated the difficulties in recruiting local civil engineers for UK businesses.
Shortage Occupation List and Immigration Rules In response to the need to attract talent and fill gaps in the labor market, the UK Visas and Immigration has established a Shortage Occupation List in the Immigration Rules. This list includes roles that are considered in short supply in the country and are eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route. Such inclusion in the list provides significant advantages for employers seeking to hire skilled workers in these specific roles.
Salary Considerations for Sponsored Civil Engineers When recruiting sponsored civil engineers, employers must adhere to the salary requirements set forth in the Immigration Rules. Notably, for roles included in the Shortage Occupation List, a lower minimum salary threshold is applicable. This financial benefit makes it more feasible for organizations to hire skilled workers in civil engineering roles. Specifically, employers need to pay only 80% of the going rate for shortage occupation roles, which is lower than the standard minimum salary.
Visa Application Fees and Benefits Civil engineers sponsored for shortage occupation roles benefit from lower visa application fees compared to workers in non-shortage occupation roles. The reduced fees are advantageous for employers looking to sponsor skilled workers, as it helps to reduce the financial burden associated with the immigration process.
Additional Benefits for Shortage Occupation Roles One of the additional advantages of shortage occupation roles is that organizations can recruit skilled workers sponsored by another organization for part-time employment (up to 20 hours per week) alongside their main sponsored role in the shortage occupation. This flexibility allows employers to tap into a wider pool of skilled talent and further address staffing needs.
Sponsored Roles Not on the Shortage Occupation List For roles that do not fall within the civil engineer Standard Occupation Code 2121 but are still eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route, the higher minimum salary threshold of £26,200 may apply. Additionally, the full going rate might be required to be paid for these non-shortage occupation roles.
Potential Salary Reductions Certain attributes possessed by sponsored workers may lead to reductions in the salary thresholds for non-shortage occupation roles. For instance, holding a relevant PhD can lower the general minimum salary, and being a new entrant to the labor market can also result in a reduced salary threshold.