Manufacturers warn of potential shortage of skilled workers post-Brexit
UK manufacturers have called for urgent clarity from the government over their concerns about an impending recruitment crunch due to an exodus of European Union workers.
Around a quarter of manufacturers saw a decrease in job applications from EU nationals, while 16% reported an increase of EU residents leaving their employ, trade association the EE revealed in report on Tuesday.
The importance of EU workers to the industry was highlighted by the fact that two thirds of manufacturers recruit from outside of the UK due to an insufficient number of domestic applicants.
The EEF warned that skill shortages would likely worsen if post-Brexit migration restrictions that instituted a cap on companies employing residents of the bloc were instituted, saying that "appropriate workers" should be allowed unfettered access to work in Britain for up to five years.
Tim Thomas, director of employment at EEF said, "Skills shortages are endemic in manufacturing and engineering, and any points based-type system would choke off the skills needed by this sector. A highly-skilled STEM route should be introduced to enable non-EU STEM professionals to seek work in the UK without a job offer within a reasonable timeframe."
The EEF asked the government to clarify the proposed reciprocal rights between UK and EU nationals, as well as calling on it to map out a new model for migration, reinstate the Tier 1 post-study work route that enabled non-EU students to stay in the UK for up to two years after graduating to seek skilled employment, and reduce costs to businesses recruiting from outside the EU by abolishing the immigration skills charge and reversing the decision to remove the short-term intra-company transfer route.
"As a priority, the government should clarify the reciprocal rights of EU nationals in the UK and British nationals currently working in other EU member states. At the same time, ministers must map out a new model for immigration to come into force when the UK leaves the EU, including a phased implementation over a sustained period," said Thomas.