The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) recommends that the shortage occupation route should include teachers in special schools and skilled meat boners and trimmers on its list of jobs most in need of immigrant labour.
In response to changing economic circumstances, the MAC (new window) also recommends that some engineering and construction jobs be removed from the list as well as ship and hovercraft officers.
For the time being skilled chefs remain on the recommended list. However, the MAC expects to see accelerated efforts to train up the UK workforce in this profession before the lists are reviewed again next year.
The following posts are also recommended for addition to the shortage occupation list:
- specialised jobs in the electricity transmission and distribution industry
- some medical specialisms, including higher level speciality paediatrics trainees
- aircraft technicians and fitters.
Statement from the chair of the MAC
Professor David Metcalf CBE said, 'the points based system (new window), including the shortage occupation list, has to operate for the benefit of UK workers, especially given the current economic climate.
'The Migration Advisory Committee’s latest recommendations take account of the impact of the worldwide recession on the UK. We have looked at the evidence and made recommendations that balance the needs of the UK workforce against those of employers.
'It is important to note that some shortages of skilled labour will still exist in a recession. This can be where there is a long-term structural shortage of skilled workers, where workers provide key public services, or in areas such as culture where the UK needs to maintain global leadership.'
Occupations
In this report the MAC has reviewed the following occupations: all healthcare and engineering occupations, chefs, teachers (further/higher, secondary, primary, and special needs education teaching professionals), town planners, managers in construction, quantity surveyors, ship and hovercraft officers, veterinary surgeons, sheep shearers, work riders, ballet dancers, skilled fish filleters, meat boners and trimmers.
All the occupations included in the original recommended shortage occupation lists have now been reviewed at least once since the first recommendations in 2008.