Skilled refugees are contributing nearly £1 million each year in
income tax and national insurance thanks to UK government pilot
schemes to help those fleeing their homes find employment,
helping to boost the UK economy and enabling businesses to access
the vital skills they need.
Following a successful start, the government’s Displaced Talent
Mobility Pilot has been extended for a further year, with more
businesses being encouraged to hire skilled refugees while
helping people rebuild their lives in the UK. First launched in
October 2021, businesses ranging from renowned global companies
to small enterprises have participated in the scheme, with
refugees fulfilling roles as senior engineers, paralegals,
construction managers, and software testing consultants in
priority sectors.
The initiative aims to match up to 200 people with UK employment
opportunities, with Syrian and Afghan nationals the most common
beneficiaries of the scheme so far.
Delivered in partnership with Talent Beyond Boundaries, a global
not-for-profit, displaced talent candidates are supported to get
sponsored by a UK employer, and also benefit from free priority
visa processing. To participate in the pilot, talented
individuals will need to create a profile with Talent Beyond
Boundaries and they will contact those who match the criteria
for vacancies companies are looking to fill.
The pilot is also now being expanded, following an initial focus
on candidates in Lebanon and Jordan, as well as Afghan nationals.
Now refugees and displaced people of any nationality or location
are eligible to benefit.
Minister for Immigration, , said:
Our Displaced Talent Mobility pilot is a safe and legal route
that ensures refugees can rebuild their lives in the UK,
contribute to society and integrate into local communities
swiftly.
I encourage more companies to take part in the pilot and consider
the skills and talent that exist, while providing opportunities
for refugees to live independently and contribute to the UK.
The scheme uses the existing Skilled Worker route, which enabled
the Home Office to set up the pilot quickly and better understand
the barriers to accessing those routes for displaced people.
Marina Brizar, UK & Europe Director, Talent Beyond Boundaries
said:
Talent Beyond Boundaries warmly welcomes the extension of the
Displaced Talent Mobility pilot. This initiative embraces the
power of equitable access to skilled migration by unlocking the
potential of displaced people. We remain wholly committed to
paving the path toward a world where the skills of displaced
people know no borders and the opportunities for secure futures
transcend barriers.
Phil Ogden, EnerMech Chief HR Officer said:
We understand the importance of a diverse, skilled and competent
workforce and recognised the clear benefits of engaging with
Talent Beyond Boundaries to support displaced people through
providing secure employment opportunities.
We recently welcomed two Syrian refugees to our Engineering team
in Aberdeen whose skills have already proven to be extremely
valuable to EnerMech. As the energy transition ramps up in the
UK, building an experienced pool of talent is essential to the
ongoing success of our business. Talent Beyond Boundaries are key
to supporting both our objectives and the aspirations of the
talented people they represent.
Malek, from Syria and who was resettled in the UK under the
Displaced Talent Mobility pilot, said:
Where I was, you don’t feel stability, you feel afraid. Here in
the UK, from the first day, you feel safe.
If your business has a gap, the Displaced Talent Mobility Pilot
is a great scheme. People who have moved to the country are
committed and it is a good thing to have people from other
places. This is because they have different experiences from the
other work fields and because they have come from challenging
places, they will do their best to prove themselves and be
successful in their jobs and new lives.
Successes so far, include:
- the first Displaced Talent candidate was a Syrian national
who arrived in the UK in 2021. They are now working as a
specialist construction recruiter in the West Midlands
- in 2023, two Afghan women started roles as paralegals in
Sheffield, and a Project Engineer began working for an
engineering company in Aberdeen
- other individuals have started roles in the engineering,
construction, and creative industries
