Migration Advisory Committee report (September 2011)

Monday, 03 October 2011 13:57

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has published a review of the Shortage Occupation List (SOL). At present the Shortage Occupation List includes social workers (working with children and families). Inclusion on this list means that employers can recruit workers from outwith the European Economic Area (EEA) to fill these posts. The MAC have recommended to the UK Government that employers are allowed to continue recruiting these workers from outwith the EEA where required. The MAC noted evidence from the SSSC and Skills for Care and Development in their final recommendations. The report can be accessed from MAC's website: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/aboutus/workingwithus/indbodies/mac/

The SSSC and other organisations have highlighted concerns to the MAC about the qualification thresholds and eligibility criteria for the SOL. For example, the current approach means employers of care home for adults, care at home and housing support services cannot use the SOL route to employ non-EEA workers to fill selected frontline roles.

The SSSC requires updated information on the numbers of migrant workers in these sub-sectors, partly to continue updating MAC on these issues. We will be contacting a random sample of providers later this year to request further information about the numbers of migrant workers in your workforce.  This information will inform other areas of the SSSC's activities, including the work on international qualifications.  We would greatly appreciate your assistance with this research.

For further information about the implications of the Migration Advisory Committee's report please contact Neil Macleod, Education and Workforce Development Adviser: Neil.Macleod@sssc.uk.com