National Shortage Occupation List changes

A number of National Shortage Occupation List changes have recently been announced.

Teachers in Scotland

From 16 April 2007, all job positions in Scotland connected to mandatory schooling are included on the shortage list. If you are planning on applying for a work permit to allow you to work as a teacher you will not need to undergo the full resident labour test anymore.

Consultation with the General Teaching Council for Scotland led to this change.

Dental Practitioners, Dentists, Physiotherapists

As of the 29 May 2007, salaried assistant dentists, salaried general and vocational dental practitioners, and senior physiotherapists will no longer appear on the National Shortage List.

If you wish to apply for a work permit for any of the occupations listed above, you employer will need to demonstrate that they have completed the resident labour market test. Evidence required from the employer includes, but is not limited to, details of each of the applicants who have also applied for the role, details of any interviews that have taken place, and a summary of the screening criteria that was used to select you are the preferred candidate. The UK Border Agency will need to see specific details of why any resident workers who applied for the job were not hired.

A work permit may then be issued, if the resident labour market test is completed to the satisfaction of the UK Border Agency.

Consultation with the Department of Health led to this change.