There are two shortage occupation lists in the UK. One list features various occupations in education and healthcare that require more personnel. The second one outlines occupations from a range of other fields that have shortages, this includes fields like science, the arts, and IT.
We’ve recently seen a lot about the shortage of HGV drivers in the UK, however, what other industries are impacted?
For one to qualify for a UK Skilled Worker visa, one must achieve 70 immigration points. If you work a job that is on the Shortage Occupation List, you get 20 points, which gives you a great advantage. Here is an overview of some of the top jobs on the list:
- Nurses
For a long time, the UK skills shortage has greatly affected nurses. At the moment, England is looking to fill more than 36,000 positions in this field, which makes it a perfect time for nurses aspiring to move abroad to seek work here. Approximately 15% of all UK nurses have been trained out of the country.
However, nurses, as well as other healthcare professionals, were only included in the Shortage Occupation list in March 2021. In a statement, Kevin Foster, the UK Minister for Future Borders and Immigration said that each year, the United Kingdom welcomes healthcare workers from all over the globe, with many having contributed significantly while on the frontline of the NHS during the global pandemic.
He added that this move is aimed at helping to ensure that international healthcare professionals are awarded the status that they deserve.
Find out more about how to register as a UK nurse in our blog.
- Pharmacists
As with nurses, pharmacists were included in the Shortage Occupation List this year. Even though the shortage of pharmacists in the UK isn’t as high as that of nurses, hospitals are seeing an 8% pharmacist vacancy rate. This means that internationally-trained pharmacists have a great opportunity to find jobs in the UK.
For one to get a job as a pharmacist in the UK, one must register with the General Pharmaceutical Council. You can learn more about this on the NHS website. The NHS is the country’s publicly funded healthcare system.
- Engineers
The UK has added many engineering jobs in the Shortage Occupation list – from mechanical engineers to civil engineers to electrical engineers and everyone in-between. There is a high demand for internationally-trained engineers in the UK.
Based on the engineering field you are in, you will need to make 80% of the going rate for the job to qualify for a Skilled Worker visa. This translates to about £26,160 to £29,600 per year.
- Secondary education teachers
Math, physics, computer science, and modern foreign languages secondary education teachers have been added to the Shortage Occupation List. For those who’ve been trained abroad, you can find employment without having to get Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) for four years. However, once this period is over, you will need to obtain the necessary qualifications.
For more information on teacher salaries, visit the UK Department of Education website. To be eligible for a visa, you will need to make at least £20,480 per year or more based on where you are located.
- Graphic designers
In case you are a graphic designer, you are pretty much in luck. This is because graphic designers are among the most sought-after professionals in the UK. Most graphic designers work on a freelance basis. But you should note that you will have to get a job sponsorship from an employer to qualify for a UK Skilled Worker visa.
In addition, you will need to make at least 80% of the going rate for graphic designers in the UK. This means about £18,800 per year.
Of course, if the top five here don’t work for you why not become a fully qualified HGV driver and fill that gap?
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