The Windrush scandal. NHS doctor’s careers in jeopardy. Sectors reliant on overseas workers in a ‘talent war’.
With headlines like these, it can easy to view Brexit as nothing more than a myopic, preposterous decision.
The UK has dropped a whole three places when it comes to attractiveness to overseas workers – with concerns about movement the main deterrent, according to research from The Boston Consulting Group (BCG). And it’s not just talent that are finding UK outside of the EU unwelcoming - businesses are running a mile too. With the demise of Britain's high street, Airbus potentially fleeing the UK and BMW wary about post-Brexit customs delays on its operations, confidence is awry.
However, there is a glimmer of hope. BCG’s research also found that London was ranked as the most popular city in the world to work. The city, noted for its financial centre and technological prowess, remains attractive, suggesting that despite political turbulence, there’s an association between the city and opportunity.
But how can we make sure the whole of the UK is just as progressive? Fortunately, trade bodies, like the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), are working to ensure that the country remains an attractive place to live and work. But it’s going to take far more than a fancy brochure to prise the highly-skilled from their motherlands. It requires a combined strategy that takes care of and values Britain’s manual workers, cleaners, drivers and social carers, too.
In this issue, we speak to the REC’s Director of Policy & Professional Services, Tom Hadley, to find out how they’re advising the Government to develop an inclusive visa strategy, working with employers to ensure they’re offering good work and where recruiters should position themselves during a time of rapid change. Speaking of rapid change, Recruitment Grapevine has undergone its own digital transformation. We hope you enjoy the new layout.
