More engineering jobs for migrants

London – The number of specialist UK jobs which need to be filled by workers from outside the European Economic Area is falling, the UK’s Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has found.

In a new report, MAC recommends a reduction in employment covered by the UK’s shortage occupation list to 180,000 employees, less than 1% of the total workforce.

Before the MAC started advising on the shortage occupation list in 2008, total employment in occupations covered by the list was above 1 million. The number of migrants taking up jobs through this route each year represents only about 1 in 400 of all immigrants to the UK, it noted.

For the second year running the MAC has recommended that the number of engineering jobs on the list is increased. By contrast, due to investment in health training over the last decade, it suggested removing 19 jobs in the health sector.

The MAC was also asked to advise the government on proposals to automatically remove a job from the shortage occupation list after two years - known as the sunset clause.

However, the Committee found against the proposal, arguing that either the status quo or a four-year time period with an opportunity to appeal against removal would be more proportionate.

The review of the shortage occupation list, which is carried out periodically, acts as a de - facto sunset clause removing job titles that no longer meet the criteria. The MAC has removed over 100 job titles from the list over the past four years.

Our research shows that attempts by employers and public bodies in this industry to address the engineering skills deficit have so far proven inadequate, said MAC chairman professor David Metcalf, noting that the increasing demand for specialist engineers continues to outstrip supply.

“Therefore, we recommend the government add around 20 new engineering sector job titles to the list this year. Although there are a number of initiatives to help boost science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills, we emphasise the need for greater strategic thinking around delivery of these,” he said.

Backing the recommendations to increase the number of engineering jobs on the shortage occupation list, Steve Radley, director of policy at the EEF said: “Ministers should heed its advice not to introduce a sunset clause on engineering occupations,” said Radley. “Skill shortages are a longstanding problem and though employers are investing more in training, there are no quick-fix solutions.

“At a time when we need industry to win new orders, we cannot afford to tie its hand behind its back by denying access to the skills it needs to deliver them.”