Gurjit Pall

A combination of Brexit and the pandemic have left many businesses facing unprecedented levels of staff shortages. It is estimated that there are 165,000 vacancies across the UK – more than the whole of the NHS. Meanwhile, demand for care continues to grow amid an ageing population.

The online event will share insight on how employers can use international recruitment to address the shortfall in care workers.

The session will include an overview of sponsor licences, and how employers can apply for them to secure overseas candidates through the Home Office’s Skilled Workers Visa and Health and Care Worker Visa programmes.

It will also advise attendees of employers’ compliance requirements, including monitoring sponsored workers, keeping accurate records, and reporting to the Home Office.

Speakers include immigration specialist Gurjit Pall, employment law expert Chris Phillips, who has extensive experience in advising employers in the care sector and professional regulatory law (SSSC), and commercial property law expert Richard Hart, who has over 25 years’ experience acting for clients in the healthcare sector.

Gurjit Pall said: “The Home Secretary recently made some interesting comments around training up UK workers to fill a well-documented shortfall in candidates in key sectors, but within the care industry there is an immediate and pressing need to address the problem in the here and now. With an ageing population and strong demand for care services, it is imperative that the UK fills these jobs.

“Obtaining a sponsor licence is a relatively recent means of recruiting care workers from overseas, as these roles were previously ineligible for sponsorship on the grounds that they did not meet the ‘skill’ threshold.

“Businesses that hold sponsor licences report a number of benefits. Key among these is very high retention rates; although sponsored workers can change employers, the fact that a visa application is required could potentially act as a disincentive.

“However, it is important that employers considering applying for sponsor licences understand their compliance duties.

“I’d urge any operator interested in overseas recruitment to join us and learn more about how they can use this route to tackle recruitment and retention issues in the workforce.”

Thorntons’ webinar takes place 9.30-10.30am, Wednesday 24 May 2023.