WORKgateways UK e-newsletter
Monthly e-News for the UK Working Traveller
June 2008, Volume 4 Issue 6
The WORKgateways e-newsletter is written for working travellers bound for the UK hailing from all over the globe - from New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Canada and more. Whether you're already in the UK, impatiently awaiting your departure date or thinking about going in the future, we've got something for you. Scroll down to view this month's info.
Contents
What's new
Focus
In every issue
Welcome
It's June and summer is on it's way in the UK. To make the most of your time here, check out all our fun summer events plus important info about the new tiered visa system that is being phased in this year. For all the town planners out there, check out our exclusive update from specialist recruiters, BBT.
What's new
What's on in Britain?
As the weather warms up, there's tons of festivals, exhibitions and great things to see and do all over the UK throughout June. Here are some of our favourites - perfect for new arrivals or seasoned UK working travellers keen to taste some of what the UK has to offer...
Euro 2008 (until 29 June) — Even though England failed to qualify, there's already tons of excitement building about this huge football tournament. Choose your allegiances and take your pick from the many pubs and bars who will be showing the games.
The Isle of Wight Festival (13-15 June) — Voted as one of the best UK festivals last year, this year's event will be headlined by The Police, The Sex Pistols and The Kaiser Chiefs.
Taste London (and other taste festivals) (until 13 July) — A giant picnic in the park with thousands of people and celebrity chefs, with the opportunity to sample some of the best food and drink Britain has to offer. And it's not just London that gets all the fun - taste festivals will be visiting Edinburgh, Leeds, Bath and Birmingham.
From WHV to Youth Mobility Visa
Earlier this month, the UK Home Office released some more details about their plans for the new Tier 5 ? Youth Mobility Visa that will replace the Working Holiday Visa this year. A date for the new system has not been confirmed yet, however it is expected to be after the UK summer.
The major difference between the current working holiday visa and the new Youth Mobility visa is that the new visa is points-based. To be eligible you must accrue 50 points. 30 points will be awarded for a sponsorship certificate from your home country (Australians and New Zealanders are likely to be made exempt from this); 10 points will be awarded for being aged between 18 and 30; and 10 points will be awarded for having ?1,600 in savings (which you will have to show proof of in the form of bank statements etc).
If you have previous held a UK working holiday visa (or are currently in the UK on a working holiday visa) you cannot apply for the Youth Mobility visa. The likelihood of Australians, New Zealanders and Canadians being approved for the new visa is not expected to be hugely affected (apart from the fact that you now require slightly more savings) however there may be a problem for South Africans. The British government will only let young people from countries with similar working holiday agreements to come to the UK on the Youth Mobility Scheme. Unfortunately, South Africa does not have a working holiday scheme for young British people in place, so it is unlikely South Africans will be eligible for the Youth Mobility Visa unless a scheme is introduced.
Stay tuned to the UK Border Agency website and WORKgateways for more details as they come to light.
Get your UK job search started — do a UK job search now!
Focus
Recruitment focus: all about Planning
With ongoing development across the UK, the Planning industry continues to thrive, offering a wealth of opportunity for Planning professionals looking to progress their careers. This month Quinton Bouwer from Beresford Blake Thomas, a specialist recruitment consultancy for the UK Planning sector, gives us his insight. As team leader for the London based Global Solutions Team, he specialises in sourcing overseas candidates for UK clients via a unique global office network.
WORKgateways: What's the current outlook for Planning jobs in the UK like?
Quinton: At present there are great opportunities for Town Planners in the UK, especially in the South East of England. Local Authority and County Council employers understand that the skills international candidates have to offer can be easily implemented within the UK planning system.
Currently within the 32 London Authorities more then half of the staff are non UK Citizens (Building Design, 20th May 2008). With ongoing development across the South East of England, there is a growing demand for Planners. There are opportunities to work for Local Authorities in other regions including, but not limited to, the Midlands, England?s South Coast, Tyneside (North), Yorkshire (North) & Scotland.
WORKgateways: What kind of experience does the ideal candidate have?
Quinton: Ideally candidates will have gained over two to three years? postgraduate experience before they arrive in the UK. Candidates on a Working Holiday Visa (WHV) can obtain 12 month contracts with the possibility of applying for the Highly Skilled Migrant Program (HSMP) as a way to extend their stay (or the new Tier 1 visa once it is implemented).
WORKgateways: Any tips for candidates looking to land a UK Planning job?
Quinton:
- Always keep your CV up to date with examples of work that have been carried out in previous positions. Per position choose two or three pieces of your work, preferably including a complex project or one which drew public attention.
- List points to highlight the skill sets you gained on each project. This will help to indicate your level of understanding of the planning system.
- In addition prepare a more detailed "portfolio" to supplement your CV and promote a wider field of projects you have worked on, emphasizing the breadth of your experience. Include details of any recommendations received and the outcome of the projects.
- Considerable time and effort should be spent on your CV and portfolio, to ensure your application stands out from the crowd. Keep it clear and concise highlighting relevant skills and experiences.
For more information about UK planning jobs, including pay rates and earning potential, visit Town Planning Jobs UK at WORKgateways. Find out more about BBT by visiting their profile.
Get you UK job search started. Register with agencies or apply to jobs now.
One stop shop for UK bank accounts
Make your first few weeks in the UK hassle-free and save on international transaction fees by getting a UK bank account sorted asap.
You can avoid banking hassles by setting up your bank account before you leave home. With WORKgateways, it's cheap and easy, and we can help you pick the right package for you - we have options from 1st Contact and Visa First. Find out more information about purchasing UK bank accounts.
In every issue
WIN! Flight vouchers with Ryanair
Summer is a great time to get some of those amazing cheap flights and take yourself to a sunny beach in Spain or to a beer garden in Germany. This month we're giving away two ?20 vouchers for Ryanair for you to use as you please!
To be in the running, all you have do to is email us with 'FLIGHTS' in the subject line (and your mailing address). Entries close 30 June.
Our winners from last month's giveaway of Scotland Lonely Planet guides were: Mark Pozzobon, London; Bianca Wellington, ACT, Australia; Kate Warner, Victoria, Australia; Brownwyn Bane, Greenwich, London; Vera Barnard, South Africa.
Share your travels - send us some photos!
We want to share your UK adventures - send us a photo of you enjoying your working holiday in the UK or on holiday in Europe and we'll send you a little something to say thanks. If we pick your photo to feature in our newsletter, we'll send you a travel guide or a flight voucher to enjoy. Email our newsletter editor with your favourite snap.
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