Work Permits for Engineers

Britain has a skill shortage of engineering specialities, and it's growing. However, the supply of qualified engineers (so far) has not. Especially for the development of new and innovative technologies, this is critical problem that needs to be solved.

Recently, the shortage of medical professionals, such as doctors, dentists and nurses was abated somewhat by an intense recruiting program to draw in foreign born professionals. A similar push is on to bring in engineering professionals.

In a recent report to the UKRC by the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC), it is noted that only one in twelve engineers is a women. The ETB Research Report from 2005 claims 2.8% of engineers registered with the Engineering Council are women. Yet at the same time, the government notes that the British economy is suffering due to a lack of qualified engineers.

Opportunities abound for women who wish to enter school and qualify as engineers. With recent changes in the HSMP visa, it should be noted that foreign-born graduates of UK universities in the medical field are not subject to the same constraints of persons who are not residents of the UK or EEA and have graduated from universities elsewhere.

Coddan Visas and Work Permits LTD can assist you and your family through the different stages involved in moving to the UK to work: finding the right job for your level of qualification and help you get the work permits/visas necessary. Different options are available:

For example a sponsored Work Permit – In order to be able to apply for this permit you will have to find an employer in the UK first. Coddan and its partners can then help you find the job you need to start this process. Our partners will give you free access to one of the best database of jobs in all the engineering sectors in the UK; you’ll also have access to news, views, and services. After that, you and your new employer can get in touch with us we will help you, your employer and your family through the process involved with the Sponsored Work Permit.

Highly Skilled Migrant Programme
The Highly Skilled Migrant Programme is designed to allow highly skilled people to migrate to the United Kingdom to look for work or self-employment opportunities. The scheme was significantly changed on 7 November 2006, with changes taking effect from 8 November 2006. It is different from the standard UK work permit scheme in that applicants do not need a specific job offer in the UK.

Working Holidaymaker scheme
If you are a Commonwealth Citizen from the age of 17 to 30 you can come to the UK and enjoy a working holiday for up to 2 years.

The working holidaymaker scheme is an arrangement where a person aged between 17 and 30 can come to the United Kingdom (UK) for an extended holiday for up to two years and enter into employment that is incidental to their holiday. The recent changes mean that you can only work for 12 months in total. Work must not be the main reason for your visit. If you require assistance and representation in gaining your Working Holiday Visa then contact us.

Citizens from one of the EEA Association Countries are able to apply to enter the UK to set up a business. A well thought out and viable Business Plan will be required but you will not need as much investment capital normally asked for business migration. See our EEA area for more information.

Your find engineering and Integrated Engineering Services are also sectors included in the General Agreement on trade in Services Agreement (GATS). The GATS (General Agreement on Trade in Services Agreement) is a special concessionary arrangement within the normal Work Permit rules. It’s awarded by the British based organisation to employers outside the European Union (EU) and it allows them to send their employees to work in the UK on a service contract. It helps highly skilled professionals, employed outside the EU, to gain access to UK service contracts without being restricted by visa and work permit.

Take a look at our skills shortage page there you will find out more about the actual figures for engineering positions in the UK. Because of this shortage, UK employers in this sector are keen on employing persons from abroad.