WORKgateways UK e-newsletter
Monthly e-News for the UK Working Traveler
June 2006 Volume 3 Issue 10
WORKgateways e-newsletter is written for UK working travelers whether you are in the UK, impatiently awaiting your departure date or thinking about going in the future… Scroll down to view this month's topics, articles and info.
CONTENTS
Welcome
What’s
new:
Immigration
news
Straight from
the Aussie’s mouth
There’s no
place like…
Focus:
Take control
of your UK employment
Earnings in the UK
Money matters
In every issue:
What’s going
on around the UK?
Star sites of
the month
Welcome
It’s Spring, people! The UK is finally warming up and getting excited
about longer days, hotter nights and all the chocolate-covered indulgence
the celebration of Easter brings.
Working travellers continue to spring up all over the UK, hatching their
new lives with the excitement moving to another country brings.
This month we have important news about new immigration rules, tips from
an Aussie working traveller who has landed a London HR job, and info for
those who are considering breaking the mould and heading somewhere in
the UK apart from London.
What’s
new
The new immigration rules
There’s been immigration talk emerging from the UK government
over the past few weeks. The UK is constantly changing and updating its
immigration rules so you should always stay updated with the latest news.
The government has announced plans for a points-based immigration system,
similar to the one that currently operates in Australia. The new system
means that the more in-demand your skills are in the UK, the more likely
you will be able to come to the UK.
It was also announced that an independent advisory board will continuously
recommend changes to the immigration rules. So if there is a shortage
of certain occupations then they might advise to let more people with
those skills into the UK.
Another announcement made on 13 March signals changes for the Work Permit,
Highly Skilled Migrant and Ancestry Visa schemes. Some of the points mentioned
are that those applying for the HSMP will be allowed to initially stay
in the UK for two years up from the previous 12 months and that instead
of the current four years, Ancestry Visa holders will be granted an initial
permission to stay in the UK for two years (followed by an extension of
three years).
For all people applying for an Ancestry Visa and hoping to qualify for
Indefinite Leave to Remain, you will now have to stay in the UK for a
five-year consecutive period, as opposed to the current requirement of
four years.
Further changes to the Immigration system are predicted for the HSMP,
Work Permit and Working Holiday maker schemes. Due to the huge amount
of HSMP applications received by the UK government, it is predicted that
the criteria for those over 28 will soon change. So if you are eligible,
consider making your application now. Watch this space for further developments.
For current immigration news you can also visit the Home
Office site or contact the British Embassy in your own
country.
Straight from the Aussie’s mouth
Rebecca,
26, from Sydney Australia, came to London in search of new opportunities,
to see new sights and to claim some of those precious pounds. She’s
been in London for six months and is working as an Organisational Development
Administrator for Investec Bank.
Workgateways:
That’s quite a swanky title! What does it mean exactly?
Rebecca: I work in a HR role within the bank. It’s
basically organisational Human Resources – I organise staff training
and things like inductions.
Workgateways:
And how long did it take you to find your first job in London?
Rebecca: I was looking for around two and a half months.
I was registered with about four agencies and ended up taking this job
because I was happy with the salary and it allowed me the flexibility
to travel.
Workgateways:
Any advice you’d give other working travellers in pursuit of those
precious pounds?
Rebecca: I would definitely recommend registering with
at least three agencies and submitting your CV before you leave your country.
Once you get to London you should be persistent. Don’t be scared
to ring them every second day because they will forget about you if you
don’t.
Workgateways:
So make us all jealous with your plans for the rest of the year…
Rebecca: I’m mainly here to travel and I’ll
be going around Europe for two months in the Summer, and I have
another big trip planned for the beginning of next year. In the
meantime I’m going to keep enjoying London cause I love the
life here. I’m on a two-year working visa but I’m going
to apply for a work permit or Highly Skilled Migrant Visa because
I just don’t want to leave!
For information on recruitment and HR jobs in the UK go
here.
There’s
no place like…
Sure,
London is brilliant, but ever considered going against the grain
and venturing elsewhere in the UK? Maybe you want to see where rocking
bands Franz Ferdinand and Belle & Sebastian first made their
mark in Glasgow, or perhaps you have a little crush on Welsh pop
princess Charlotte Church and can’t wait to live in Cardiff?
Check out our guide to some other top UK destinations for working travellers:
Newcastle (England): Newcastle has shaken off its mining town past and transformed into a cosmopolitan town of hotels, bars and restaurants, while still retaining its charm. Adventurous antipodeans ready to go north (and who don’t mind the accent!) should have no problems fitting in here.
Manchester (England): Just 2 ½ hours from London by train, Greater Manchester (which takes in ten boroughs including the city itself) is home to seven million people. The 2.6 million people that live in Manchester city enjoy a vibrant nightlife, exciting live music scene and of course football (soccer to those who haven’t quite grasped the concept of the round ball). With a significant financial sector, Manchester is a good destination for those looking for work in banking, while its tourism industry has boomed since 2002, meaning hospitality work is plentiful.
Bristol (England): The city has been described as ‘alive and kicking like a can-can girl’, and with its European-style licensing laws (clubs stay open till 6am) and one of the best club scenes in Britain, its no exaggeration! Another bustling student city, Bristol is very popular with tourists and working travellers alike. The city is a hub for manufacturing, business and new technology. A thriving animation industry and range TV production and digital media companies make this a good spot for working traveller looking for a creative career.
Cardiff (Wales): Cardiff is more like Bristol than London, and you’ll fall in love with the sing-song Welsh accent and the welcoming locals. Wales is gorgeous countryside filled with rolling hills, rocky bays and sandy beaches but be prepared – there is a whole new language you’ll have to cope with (but everyone mostly speaks English). The crowns of Cardiff are fabulous shopping, bars, clubs and the iconic Millenium Stadium. Find a swanky apartment by the bay or a funky inner-city haunt and you’re all set.
For
more information on other places in the UK to live and visit check
out
Visit Britain.
To register with agencies all over the UK, go
here.
Focus
Take control of your UK employment - A timely reminder
Are you registered with the best agencies up to two years before you arrive?
ALSO - If you are arriving in the UK in the next month - Apply directly to jobs
Why use the Agencies on WORKgateways?
How much can you earn in the UK?
Everyone
want to know about how many pounds they’re going to pocket! You
have to know how much you can potentially earn so you can get planning
your whole UK experience.
Find
out how to maximise your UK salary
Money
matters
Organising a bank account before you get to the UK will save you a lot
of trouble and effort! Many travellers say it’s the one thing they
wish they did before they came.
E-mail
WORKgateways to find out about the Bank Account Kickstart
Package. It’s cheap and easy!
In
every issue
What’s
going on around the UK?
ANZAC spirit abroad
The 25th April holds a special place in the hearts of Australians and New Zealanders. So what’s happening in the UK to mark the occasion?
The Australian and New Zealand High Commissions in London have organised a dawn service and wreath laying service to commemorate the anniversary.
Find out more about ANZAC commemorations in London.
The
New Zealand Society of Scotland will also be holding an ANZAC
service at Arbroath, Scotland.
Star
sites of the month
Read
the tales of someone living their dream
Pru is from Australia and she’s now in London living out plans she has had since seventh grade. Post a question and she might even be able to help you out with any questions you have about the UK.
Bored
at work and daydreaming of your big UK move? Have a giggle and check
out some fools other people are working with — www.iworkwithfools.com
quick job search