Survey shows UK graduates look to work in Australia, Canada and US
October 13 2009 by Liam Clifford
Graduates shunning Blighty for working visas on far away shores.
The Birmingham Chamber of Commerce has warned that many graduates from the region are planning to look for work abroad. Many are taking Australian and Canadian work visas as jobs remain scarce at home.
A recent survey by Grad Central found that only 20 per cent of graduates in the West Midlands were planning to start their career in the region. Many of the remainder plan to either move to London or to seek work with an Australia visa or in another English-speaking country.
As a result of this trend, the region is facing a major skills shortage, claims Chamber of Commerce spokesperson John Lamb. He says, “this is a real concern for businesses because losing those skills is an enormous drain on the area.”
Ironically, the resulting 'brain drain' could lead to an increase in demand for UK work visa holders to come and work in the UK. Skilled immigrants are often used to fill skills gaps in industries such as engineering, IT and health care.
While the recession has led to a shortage in jobs for UK graduates, countries like Australia and Canada offer working holiday visas. These are attractive to young graduates as they allow them to work their way around a country for 12 months or so, while gaining valuable work and life skills as they go.
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