Everyone can benefit from the skills of international graduates, says the Chamber
02/07/2008
With an increasingly global economy, more than ever businesses can benefit from the skills of overseas graduates. But employers are being deterred from taking on international students by worries over visas and work permits.
From 30 June international graduates will have the chance to put their degrees to use in the UK for up to two years, compared to the original one year period, with the chance to apply to remain longer to work in the UK, provided they meet the relevant requirements.
The University of Bedfordshire has the third highest percentage of international students in the country and each year thousands graduate. Job Shop Manager Priya Chauhan, who helps employ students after they graduate, said:
'There are many advantages to employing international graduates. Employers do not have to process a work permit, this is all done by the graduates who are multi-lingual and can bring lots of fresh ideas to a role, with perspectives from their home country, as well as skills they have picked up during their study in the UK.'
'They have a good grasp of the English language and the support we offer them in helping with their English language skills has been commended by the Quality Assurance Agency in a recent audit.'
The Chamber, which represents businesses in Bedfordshire and Luton, is concerned that this huge educational investment and considerable pool of talent is going to waste or, worse, is being snapped up by competing economies.
'We need to ensure that the skills gained by international students in Bedfordshire and Luton stay in our local economy.' said Richard Lacy, Chief Executive of the Chamber 'What is needed is a more entrepreneurial ethos that encourages these students to stay here and consider starting up their own businesses or using the education they've received here to come up with innovative ideas within our local businesses.'
Mr Lacy believes there would be benefits not only for international students and local businesses but also for local people.
'The government's plans to build a significant number of homes in Bedfordshire and Luton by 2010 just will not work if there are insufficient jobs for residents. We simply cannot afford to ignore any route for creating those jobs. Retaining talented, entrepreneurial and innovative people in Bedfordshire and Luton, regardless of their nationality, is vital if we are to have sufficient businesses in our economy to provide those jobs.'
Added Mr Lacy:
'Taking on an overseas graduate makes sense on a number of levels and really isn't as difficult as you might think. The University of Bedfordshire's International Student Support Office, for instance, can offer advice and help to businesses thinking of taking on one of their overseas graduates and has already had success in placing students in some major blue-chip companies.'
