This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Fresh Talent - one year on
28/02/2005
A new package of measures to help employers recruit
staff from overseas was announced today by First Minister
Jack McConnell.
They include:
- The UK's first toolkit to help small businesses
navigate the work permit system
- Two new posts within the government's new
relocation advisory service to advise employers on how
to recruit from overseas and to help complete work
permit applications.
During a visit to IBM Greenock, where he met some of the
company's 1,000 strong international workforce, Mr
McConnell said:
"When I announced the Fresh Talent policy a year ago I
said that attracting fresh talent to our country would send
out a very strong signal to the world.
"A signal that we want our country to grow in profile
and stature, and that we are serious about growth.
"We have taken some significant steps in the last twelve
months to help attract the world's brightest and best. Our
advice service for people wanting to move here has already
attracted a lot of interest and our special leave to remain
scheme for students will start this summer.
"And we are working with businesses, big and small, to
make it easy for them to attract staff from overseas.
"If we nurture and retain our home-grown talent, while
attracting fresh talent from abroad, then Scotland's future
prosperity can be secured."
Iain McMillan, director of CBI Scotland said:
"Fresh Talent is critical to Scotland's future. It is
not only about addressing the projected population decline,
it is also about ensuring that Scottish businesses have the
right skills and competencies to enable them to grow and
compete in the global marketplace.
"It is vital that Scotland attracts bright, talented
people who can contribute to the Scottish economy and our
society. CBI Scotland fully supports this initiative and
welcomes this support package for Scottish businesses."
The initial details of the Scottish government's plans
to attract fresh talent to Scotland were laid out iin a
statement to the Scottish Parliament on February 25,
2004.
The Executive and the Economic and Social Research
Council are to fund a two year research programme to
investigate Scotland's demography.
The programme will examine migration, fertility and the
impact of an ageing population. For more information see
www.esrc.ac.uk