Construction Roles Added To UK Shortage Occupation List

The UK government has announced the addition of various roles under the construction industry to the current Shortage Occupation List allowing the rules to be eased for overseas construction workers. This will come as welcome news in the industry in the aim to tackle Britain’s long battled shortages within construction. A government report found that vacancies are 65% higher in construction compared to pre-pandemic levels.

A wide array of occupations in the industry which includes bricklayers, masons, roofers, roof tilers, slaters, carpenters, joiners, and plasterers will be added to the shortage occupation list, making it easier for foreign construction workers to come to the UK to fill these gaps.

Those working in a shortage occupation role benefit from paying lower visa fees and can be paid 80% of the job's usual going rate and still qualify for a skilled worker visa, allowing for construction firms to cut their costs amid the cost-of-living crisis.  Applicants will still need a sponsored job offer from an employer with a sponsor licence alongside satisfying the English Language requirements for the visa.

The decision was made following the Migration Advisory Committee’s recommendation to include these professions to the list owing to the strategic importance of construction for the UK economy and how its workforce was likely to change in the next decade, with "demand likely to increase markedly".

How Can UK Construction Companies Benefit From This?

If you are a company based in the UK, you would need to hold an Employer Sponsorship Licence in order to employ overseas construction workers.  You can find out more about this process here: UK Employers Guide to Sponsorship and Compliance.

How Migrate UK Can Help

Our expert immigration team offer guidance and advice through a simple, seven step process:

1. Appointment: Book your initial consultation with our legal team
2. Business Review: We will discuss your requirements
3. Evaluate Employer Sponsorship Potential: We evaluate your ability to gain an employer sponsorship licence and if positive, we submit a costed proposal and then prepare it and submit it on your behalf.
4. Candidate Review: We check your candidates to make sure they qualify to live and work in the UK.
5. Candidate Support: We provide visa guidance, support to the candidate and make the application on your behalf.
6. Home Office Application: We apply to the Home Office for a certification of sponsorship for your potential employees.
7. Sponsorship Licence Management: We offer a service to manage your compliance with the right to work checks, reporting and record keeping.  Making life simpler for our clients.

Book your initial free consultation with us today.