Member Article

Migrants relieving regional skills shortage

The NECC has called for migration legislation that provides for regional labour market needs, following research that shows foreign workers are important to large businesses.

The Workforce Survey highlighted the importance of overseas works to firms with more than 50 employees.

It also shows that growth ambitions in larger firms are being frustrated by a lack of skilled labour in the UK, with many turning to skilled foreigners to meet their needs.

James Ramsbotham, NECC chief executive, said: “With unemployment expected to peak at 2.77 million in 2012, business is expected to play its part in creating growth and jobs.

“The research shows that many firms are unable to find the skilled workers they need in the UK.

“It is vital that we improve skills in the North East to meet the needs of business, but this will take time, and firms need the freedom to bring the best people into the region’s workforce rather than lose out to competitors elsewhere.

“For some, hiring workers from overseas allows them to access the skills they need.”

The study found that less than a third of businesses believe that the UK workforce is more skilled than other EU countries.

Almost half of riems in the region with more than 50 staff employ some migrant workers; with 67% of these businesses acquiring the majority of their migrant workforce from outside the EU.

A stable visa system was identified as crucial to allowing firms flexible recruitment from outside the UK.

Mr Ramsbotham went on to say: “Business needs a migration policy that takes into account regional, and not just national labour market needs and available skills, otherwise North East firms could lose out from having a relatively small pool to pick from.

“This doesn’t have to be at odds with promises to reduce net migration, but a stable visa system with consistent rules would reassure and attract the best talent looking to find work.

“Th bottom line is that firms in the North East can’t always find the skills they need in the UK, and so the government must make it simpler to recruit them from overseas.

“The region’s larger companies are reading and willing to grow. The government must act quickly to ensure that businesses can concentrate on generating the growth vital to a successful recovery.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .