Construction Trades Added To Britains 'Shortage Occupation List'

Britain has added a number of construction roles to its "shortage occupation list", allowing the building industry to bring in staff from abroad more easily to help ease the shortfall in certain trades & labour staff which have been exacerbated since Brexit.

Bricklayers, masons, roofers, roof tilers, slaters, carpenters, joiners and plasterers will benefit from cheaper visas and more relaxed employment criteria under the changes.

The interior ministry said in a statement on Monday that adding the new roles would "aid the delivery of key national infrastructure and stimulate growth for related industries" The independent Migration Advisory Committee recommended in March that the construction jobs be added to the shortage occupation list. The list already includes care workers, civil engineers and laboratory technicians, plus healthcare roles.

Those working in a shortage occupation can be paid 80% of the job's usual rate and still qualify for a visa, the government statement said. Applicants need a job offer from an employer and must meet an English language requirement.