Government promotes FTVs to small business

Work Permits UK, the government department responsible for fast track visas, has formed a unit to help small businesses recruit overseas workers.

It has mailed 100,000 small businesses in order to raise its profile and inform small business of 'the potential benefits of recruiting people from overseas. Although the criteria for applying for work permits do not vary between large or small companies, it has tended to be used more by the larger enterprises and Work Permits had found that small businesses were not aware of the requirements associated with employing overseas workers.

Work Permits (UK) told UKTECH that they wanted to raise awareness among the small business community and had set up a Small Business Unit. They had also produced a leaflet and further information was available on their website.

They were mailing the letter to small and medium businesses and were trying to target it at those companies which operated in the areas which are on the skill shortage occupation list.

UKTECH received a copy of this letter from a business which had been targeted. Although IT skills were removed from the skill shortage list in September 2002, the name of the business identified it as being involved with technology.

The letter

The text of the letter which has been sent by Work Permits:

Dear Sir or Madam:

Are you struggling to find the quality staff you need to run your business effectively?

Do you want to employ an individual from outside Europe but aren't sure how?

A Government review recently highlighted that Small and Medium sized Enterprises may not be aware of the potential benefits of recruiting people from overseas. High, medium or low skilled vacancies can be filled from overseas when the skills required aren't available from the resident labour force. Running a business without access to these skills may mean some companies do not achieve their full potential or unknowingly employ overseas workers without the appropriate permission.

Work Permits (UK) is a department of the Home Office and is based in Sheffield. We have set up a Small Business Unit with the specific aim of raising awareness of the work permits arrangements amongst small and medium sized businesses.

Work Permits (UK) considers work permit applications from employers looking to fill medium to highly skilled jobs with a person from outside of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA is made up of the European Union and Iceland and Norway. In hospitality and food manufacturing sectors, we also consider applications from employers who want to fill lower skilled jobs with people from outside the EEA.

As a Small or Medium sized Enterprise, you may benefit from knowing more about the services provided by Work Permits (UK). With this letter we have included a card for you to complete and return. It will let us know how we can help you further.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank you in advance for completing and returning the card in the envelope provided. I sincerely hope we can be of assistance to you.

Yours faithfully, xxxxx xxxxxx

Small Business Unit

Work Permits (UK)