This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Relocation Advisory Service up and running
11/01/2005
The next stage of the government's Fresh Talent project,
which aims to help tackle declining population by
attracting people to live and work in Scotland, was
outlined today.
First Minister Jack McConnell revealed plans to extend
Scotland's two year student work scheme to overseas
students who complete an HND and a government fund to help
universities and colleges support international students
settle in Scottish communities.
He also formally launched the new
Relocation Advisory Service during a visit to Glasgow's
College of Building and Printing. RAS aims to offer
practical support and advice on a wide range of issues to
people interested in living and working in Scotland.
The First Minister said:
"Tackling our declining population is a priority for the
Scottish government, which is why I want Scotland to be the
most welcoming country in the world. Scots are renowned for
being friendly, welcoming people and the measures I have
outlined today are a practical addition to that famous
Scottish welcome.
"Scotland has a great quality of life, a fantastic
environment, a first class education system and a growing
economy. I believe that we can attract people from the rest
of the UK, from Europe and from further afield to come and
make a contribution to our increasingly successful
country.
"But I think what is unique about Fresh Talent is that
it is not just about numbers of people - it is a strong
signal of intent. It shows the scale of our ambition for
Scotland.
"It says that our small country is a great place to live
and work, and to study.
"And it says that Scotland is an ambitious, confident
and tolerant nation - we are the best small country in the
world."
Mr McConnell was accompanied on his visit to the college
by Minister for Finance and Public Service Reform Tom
McCabe where they met with students from China and
India.
Mr McCabe said:
"The Fresh Talent project has already proved its worth,
with a growing interest in Scotland from countries across
the world, and from people nearer to home. We want to offer
people the best possible advice and support to help make
their move to Scotland as straightforward as possible."
RAS, based in Glasgow, has been operational since
October 2004. It offers a face-to-face, phone and web-based
service to people wishing to live and work in Scotland and
offers advice on a wide range of issues, including visas,
work permits, employment and education, accommodation and
leisure and cultural opportunities.
The service has six staff, including two secondees from
the Home Office and the Immigration Advisory Service
UK.
Since October last year RAS has registered 939 customers
from 80 different countries. The four most common countries
are the United States, India, Poland and Nigeria.
From this summer overseas students who graduate from a
Scottish university will be able to apply to stay on in
Scotland for two years beyond the current October date to
seek and take employment.
The scheme has now been extended to cover students who
obtain an HND. The scheme is only applicable to students
who study in Scottish universities and colleges and have
lived in Scotland during their studies.
The Challenge Fund will be open to all Scottish higher
and further education institutions and will aim to ensure
that overseas students enjoy a welcoming and supportive
environment during their studies, and to encourage them to
consider staying in Scotland after completing their
studies.
The first awards will be made in time for the start of
the new academic year in 2005.