The government has recently outlined plans to elevate the threshold for skilled worker visas, increasingly favouring candidates with higher qualifications. This significant policy shift aims to address issues within the UK labour market and reduce reliance on lower-skilled immigration. Under the proposed changes, the required education level will need to be elevated to graduate level, moving away from the current A-level equivalent standard.
Key Points
- The skilled worker visa threshold will rise to RQF level 6 (graduate level) from level 3 (A-level equivalent).
- This change aims to stem the increase of lower-skilled labour migration into the UK.
- The salary threshold for skilled workers will also increase alongside the qualification requirements.
- Access for lower-skilled occupations will be drastically restricted, with potential occupation eligibility dropping by around 180 roles.
- Employers will need to pivot towards domestic recruitment strategies and invest in workforce upskilling.
Why should I read this?
If you’re in HR or manage recruitment, this article lays out some serious shifts coming your way. The proposed changes will really affect how you attract and retain talent in your organisation. By getting ahead of these adjustments, you’ll save yourself a load of hassle down the line – we’ve done the reading so you don’t have to!