In 2002, a new opportunity to work in the UK for up to twelve months was announced under the Sectors Based Scheme (SBS). The UK Government identified various skills shortage areas in the UK economy and the new sector-based work permit scheme was introduced to address these shortages.
The new sectors based work permit scheme is very much needed as employers have been unable to fill certain types of vacancies from the UK job market for a few years. The main use of the work permit scheme so far has been to fill high-level jobs. The new sectors based scheme covers the Hospitality, Catering and Food Manufacturing Industry.
The basic requirements for the sector based scheme are as follows:
- You must be between the ages of 18 and 30.
- This is a temporary work permit for the UK for a maximum period of twelve months.
- You can currently only come under the scheme in a certain number of hospitality and food manufacturing occupations.
- The employer must show that there is a shortage of people in the UK to fill these vacancies and will normally need to advertise to show this.
- You will not be allowed to bring a spouse or dependents with you to the UK.
- If you wish to go back on the scheme after being on a work permit for twelve months you will have to be outside the UK for two months.
Key Facts:
- You have to be between the ages of 18 and 30 years old.
- It is not open to EU nationals as they have the right to work in the UK anyway.
- It is expected that you will go back to your home Country after working under this scheme.
