It used to be difficult for artisans to enter the UK, but that is no longer the case.
A recently published list of in-demand skills in the UK includes the usual job openings such as engineers, IT specialists and architects, as well as bricklayers, welders, roofers, carpenters, plasterers, care and hospitality and more. It also includes many craftsman occupations. Worker.
Several South African companies specializing in artisanal services set up operations in the UK, enabling large numbers of South African merchants and merchants to immigrate to the UK and earn foreign exchange.
“The UK is experiencing the worst talent shortage in decades,” said Saskia Johnston, client services director at Sable International, which helps South African companies expand overseas.
“Although the conditions for skilled work visas for artisanal trades in the UK have been significantly relaxed, corporate sponsorship is still required. For example, a South African bricklayer seeking to enter the UK job market will This will be difficult as there is no track record in the UK. The best way to do this is to get employment from SA companies that have a presence in the UK.”
Mr Johnston said this was a great opportunity for South African entrepreneurs to expand overseas and bring in local skills, as many companies in the UK were struggling to fill key positions.
“In some regions, you can’t find a bricklayer for love or money, and the same is true for many other artisanal skills. This is a great opportunity for local entrepreneurs to expand into this sector and bring South African skills. It's also worth pointing out that South Africans are famous for their work ethic and friendliness in areas such as care and hospitality jobs.
One development that will make it easier for SA companies to expand overseas is the change in immigration laws that previously prevented executives from sponsoring their companies for immigration and even naturalization.
Two entry routes
The two most preferred routes to enter the UK are to open a branch of your company or form a subsidiary. The biggest factor to consider is that the branch is connected to the parent company, so the foreign entity doing the trading will need to report to the UK tax authorities. In the case of a subsidiary, this is a completely separate legal entity from the parent company.
Therefore, the most common route is to set up a subsidiary rather than a branch.
You will need to register your company in the UK, open a bank account and register for corporation tax, VAT and PAY. All of this can take months, but Johnston says Sable has helped dozens of his SA businesses make the transition.
As part of the UK government's new immigration regulations, businesses will need to obtain a sponsorship license to employ unsettled or migrant workers, including those from the EU and Eastern Europe. Again, Sable can help with this. One of the conditions of a sponsor license is to have the necessary human resources policies and procedures in place.
Mr Johnston said Sable could act as a “Level 1 user”, which would give it the authority to issue the required Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to all workers applying for skilled worker visas.
Path to British citizenship
A UK Skilled Worker Visa allows you to live and work in the UK for up to five years, at which point you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). She can apply for British citizenship after holding the ILR for 12 months.
Johnston dispels the myth that everything is more expensive in the UK than in SA. “Housing is certainly expensive, whether you buy or rent, as is eating out. But there are many things in the UK that are cheaper than in SA, and many people find this hard to believe. This includes food, diapers and basic groceries, depending of course on where you shop.
The salaries shown for various in-demand jobs in the UK, converted to Rand, are mouth-watering. For example, managers and directors of health services and public health can expect to earn at least 80% of £33,040 or R780,000 per year.
provided by sable international.
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