UK professionals looking to work abroad will benefit from new
funding for regulators and professional bodies, the government
has announced today (Wednesday 3 August).
The Recognition Arrangements Grants Programme will provide grants
of up to £75,000 to UK regulators to develop recognition
arrangements with their international counterparts and ensure
British professionals have their qualifications recognised
overseas.
Under the Professional Qualifications Act, the UK government can
ensure regulators have the ability to agree recognition
arrangements with overseas counterparts. These recognition
arrangements can make it easier for British professionals to have
their qualifications recognised overseas, without the need to
requalify with additional qualifications.
The UK is the second largest exporter of services in the world
and this new funding will help to boost our advantage in trade in
services.
Business Minister said:
The UK’s professional qualifications are rightly widely
recognised as a gold standard for diligence, professionalism, and
proficiency around the world.
By creating our Recognition Arrangements Grants Programme, we are
supporting regulators to build on this well-deserved reputation
for excellence by agreeing recognition of professional
qualifications with countries across the EU, ultimately making it
easier for our lawyers, surveyors, accountants, and others to
work in the EU and elsewhere.
For example, the newly available funding may be used by
accountancy professional bodies to agree deals which ensure that
UK-qualified accountants will have their credentials recognised
by regulators in countries such as Australia and New Zealand.
This will enable them to practise their profession overseas, and
will be able to access many new business opportunities.
Accounting organisations such as the Institute of Chartered
Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW),
who offer industry specific qualifications like
the ACA, could use the grant
funding to work with equivalent organisations in other countries
to establish mutual recognition of both their certifications and
those of the other nation.
An ICAEW spokesperson
said:
We warmly welcome the announcement by BEIS of
this new round of funding.
It will prove extremely useful for UK professional bodies working
towards international recognition arrangements as part of the
‘Global Britain’ agenda.
BEIS’
pilot scheme was very helpful supporting aspects
of ICAEW’s
international recognition work and because of this we intend to
bid again.
This scheme is the latest step as the UK builds on its role as a
global centre for business, commerce, and trade after leaving the
EU.
Building on the international prestige of British qualifications,
the new resources will help lawyers, accountants, engineers, and
others to continue to work or grow their businesses abroad as
well as at home.
