In a recent publication that I was writing for I was asked how I felt about the UK Government’s Point Based System and whether it was an effective system. I had clarified that the system needed to be more inclusive to the needs of specialist industries that require creative minded resource. The restrictions of the points based system are impacting or are likely to impact industries as diverse as game developers to performing artists to medical fraternity.
For instance a new research released by a UK Trade association of games developers that shows almost 63% of game developers had found it difficult to fill vacancies in their organisation’s workforce over the previous 12 months.
The game developers reporting skill shortages found it particularly hard to fill vacancies for programmers, artists and designers. The PBS for regulating migration to the UK gives preference to highly skilled migrants who are entrepreneurs, innovators or financially well heeled or high end research and engineering professionals. Often companies who are involved in the creative industries like hospitality and games development.
The current system could also lead to a shortage of Doctors as the requirement of a Master’s degree prevents qualified Doctors from applying under the Highly Skilled Migrants Program since a medical degree is only classed as a Bachelor’s degree.
The changes will also adversely impact medical students disallowing student doctors who have been studying in the UK for up to seven years to work in the NHS or privately, on completion of their course.
The new system for UK Visas also presents a challenge for performing arts group as it is now much difficult for performing artists to obtain Work Permits under the new Points Based System.
Tags: Doctors, Points BAsed System, Tier 1, UK Artists Visas, UK migration, UK Visas
