This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Launch of Fresh Talent website
07/05/2004
People wanting to come and live and work in Scotland can
now go online to find out how to make the move.
First Minister Jack McConnell today launched the
Fresh Talent
website, during a visit in Glasgow where he was
accompanied by the Home Secretary, David Blunkett.
They visited the Harlequin Leisure Group's latest
restaurant, Ashoka at the Mill, where they met with Group
founder, Mr Charan Gill MBE, and members of his staff who
have recently moved to Scotland from India to work in the
hospitality industry.
Jack McConnell said:
"The biggest single challenge facing Scotland is our
falling population, and if we are to succeed in the global
economy, we need a constant flow of fresh talent to
flourish alongside our home-grown talent.
"The signs are that Scotland is already proving to be a
magnet for people and we will build on that with our Fresh
Talent website. It is just one of the practical things we
can do to help those interested in living and working in
Scotland."
"Scotland is an exciting to be place to be just now - we
can offer an unrivalled quality of life, our economy is
growing, and our cities are amongst the most vibrant in
Europe. Little wonder that so many people are keen to move
to Scotland - they know that this is the time and Scotland
is the place."
The Fresh Talent website is
www.scotlandistheplace.com
It is part of the Fresh Talent project which was launched
by the First Minister on 25 February, 2004.
Other elements include a one-stop Relocation Advisory
Service to advise on jobs, accommodation, visas, work
permits and education. This will be operational from
October 2004.
Between 2000 and 2003 there was nearly a 300 per cent
rise in work permits issued to Scottish employers. Last
year more than 7000 work permits were issued, for
industries such as computer services, hospitality and
catering, education and culture, health and medical service
and business and management services.
Figures released by the Registrar General for Scotland
on 30th April, 2004 show that more people migrated to
Scotland than moved away.
Home Secretary David Blunket said:
"Migrant workers bring enormous benefits to Scotland and
the rest of the UK and we need them to fill vital gaps in
the jobs market. We want to welcome people who come here
legitimately and pay taxes.
"But migrants don't just come to fill jobs - they also
create jobs and make an enormous contribution by setting up
businesses, helping our economy grow and giving us a more
vibrant culture. This is particularly true where changes
have led to an imbalance in terms of an ageing working
population.
"Glasgow is a successful, lively and cosmopolitan city
which attracts business and leisure visitors from around
the world. Businesses like Mr Gill's have helped to make
the city what it is today.
"Scotland and the rest of the UK are part of an
increasingly global economy, and it essential that we can
attract the skills and talents we need to continue to play
a leading role in the world marketplace.
"The UK Government is committed to a balanced approach
to migration. We need to encourage legal migrant workers
while making sure there is no abuse of the system and
clamping down on illegal working which both undermines
local workers and can lead to individuals being forced to
live and work in appalling conditions.
"Scotland's economy in particular needs properly managed
migration, to counteract the country's falling and ageing
population, and I am very pleased that the Government is
able to work with the Scottish Executive to support its
Fresh Talent initiative to attract and retain overseas
migrants."