UK needs skilled migrants across the construction, engineering and rail sectors

Those in the House of Lords who are calling for caps on immigration should wake up to the realities of recruiting in the UK, according to Resourcing Solutions.

Employers throughout the country, including those from highly specialised sectors such as construction, engineering and rail, are supporting the Governmentís recent implementation of a skilled migrants points system in recognition of the skills shortages the market is facing.

Richard Lawrance, Managing Director, Resourcing Solutions Ltd, stated ìThe influential parliamentary committee within The Lords, who yesterday called for limiting migration, should make sure that any policy decision on the issue clearly takes note of industryís unanimous call for encouraging skilled workers to come to the United Kingdom,î

ìThroughout the construction, engineering and transportation industries, we are seeing a massive shortfall in the numbers of skilled workers. It is of crucial importance that Lords recognise that limiting migration must not result in reduced numbers of skilled workers,î he added.

ìWe all understand that we live on a small island, but allowing free movement of all workers inside the European Union, and then limiting the numbers of skilled workers from outside will neither solve immigration concerns or help industry. There are currently large pools of highly skilled workers from India and South Africa, for example, who are making outstanding contributions to UK industry. In order to make the 2012 Olympics as spectacular as we all hope the UK needs as many skilled workers as possible regardless of where they come from.