Skilled chefs on UK shortage list welcomed

People 1st and the British Hospitality Association (BHA) welcome the recent government announcement that skilled chefs will be included on the UK shortage occupation list.

The recommendation, from the Migration Advisory Committee, means that proposed new immigration laws to withdraw work permits from non-European workers will not apply to skilled chefs and that employers will continue to be able to recruit migrant workers from outside the EU to fill their vacancies.

In a comprehensive piece of research recently undertaken by People 1st, 89% of catering establishments confirmed that the threat to withdraw work permits from non-EU workers would have a detrimental impact on their business, with up to 15% of non-European establishments believing this would mean changing or reducing standards of cuisine, or closing altogether.

Brian Wisdom, chief executive of People 1st, commented: "The BHA and People 1st have worked together to research the challenges faced by the industry to this proposed legislation with strong evidence being presented to government to recognize skilled chefs as a shortage occupation. This recommendation means that the industry can continue to recruit for the level of skills it needs, but in the countdown to 2012, we must continue to focus on investing in improving skills for all employees in the industry, so we are less reliant on importing skills."

Martin Couchman, deputy chief executive of the BHA, said: "We are pleased to see that government has responded to the concerns highlighted by the industry but now employers must play their part. Organisations must apply to be licensed in order to sponsor migrant workers."

Words: Clare Riley

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