Ever since our ancestors made the long trek from Africa there has been a constant flow of new recruits to the UK population; some invited, others not. Similarly, we have gone abroad to return armed with new skills, new experiences and potatoes.

Not all commentators agree with the House of Lords' negative stance towards immigration. Future Flows, a report on immigration compiled for Harvey Nash by the Centre for Economics and Business Research, predicts that skilled migrant workers will contribute more than £77 billion to the UK economy by 2012. A separate survey by the Centre for Economic Performance at the end of last year found that there are 4.3 million working-age adults in the UK who were born abroad - 9.3 per cent of the total population, a lower proportion than in Australia, France, Germany or the US.

John Philpott, the chief economist at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, says: “We need people right across the professional piste. We need to hire the skills although they don't all necessarily need to work here. There is also a need for engineering, science and maths graduates. And a shortage of people to fill management jobs of various kinds, including project management skills.”

Philpott says that we won't be able to rely on a steady supply of workers from Eastern Europe because, as their economies flourish and it becomes easier to find jobs at home, the numbers seeking to emigrate will fall.

Daniel Griggs, director of the global resourcing division of Beresford Blake Thomas, a recruitment consultancy, says that there are large shifts around the world as local market needs change. At present UK financiers and accountants are being sought to work in South Africa and the Middle East, while in the UK we are seeking construction specialists from Australia, South East Asia and Eastern Europe to help us to complete big projects such as the Olympic Games site. Meanwhile, movement out of the UK is helping to reinforce our skills base.

“Engineers go to the Middle East and they return after three or four years and bring more experience and skills into the marketplace, for example, high-rise experience, which they can't gain here,” Griggs says.

But you don't need to resign to emigrate. International companies now focus on the global jobs market, says Chris Phillips, a senior marketing director at Taleo, a talent management provider. “Companies are taking a single global view of recruitment and talent management.” []And outsourcing jobs is becoming less appealing. “The focus will shift from the bottom line to the top line as we outsource, not because it is cheaper, but for the innovation and skills we can gain. The world is getting flatter. There is a shift towards skills rather than bodies,” he says.

The key to migration points
Clare Dight

What do points mean? Prizes, of course. In this case, the prize of working in the UK. The Government has started testing a new Australian-style, points-based migration system for people outside the European Economic Area who want to work in the UK. Under the five-tier system, which will be phased in gradually, highly skilled and skilled workers face an assessment based on their background, age and skills and companies and colleges will be expected to sponsor workers and students. Here’s a quick guide to the new system.

Tier 1: highly skilled migrants. To qualify for work in the UK, highly skilled migrants – a group that includes entrepreneurs and investors – must score a minimum of 75 points, calculated on the basis of age, qualifications, past earnings and experience of working or studying in the UK. A further 20 points based on English language skills and financial means are also required. Successful applicants and their dependants will be allowed to settle permanently in the UK after two years.

Tier 2: skilled migrants. Skilled workers such as nurses need 50 points and a firm offer of employment before packing their bags and heading for the airport. Those who wish to stay in the UK can apply with their dependants after five years.

Tier 3: low-skilled workers. If there is a temporary shortage of willing hands in industries such as agriculture and construction, low-skilled workers will be allowed to enter the UK under a quota system for a fixed period. There is no right to remain.

Tier 4: students. Those keen to study in the UK must provide evidence of a place at an accredited college or university. Like those in tiers 1 and 2, students will be allowed to apply to switch between tiers provided that they satisfy any new requirements.

Tier 5: temporary workers. Au pairs, musicians on tour, footballers and the like will be allowed to work in the UK for up to two years.

For more information, visit bia.homeoffice.gov.uk

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