LIZ CAMERON
Scotland is home to some of the world’s finest universities and colleges. Their reputation for excellence spreads far and wide and they are attracting the interest of the best and brightest, not just in the UK but across the world. This obviously presents a commercial opportunity for our academic institutions but it also represents a chance for Scotland as a whole to maximise the economic benefits we can derive from this.
In order to do so, we must present those who come here to study with a greater opportunity to live and work in Scotland, even for a limited time. Scotland has recorded some past successes in this area. In 2005, the then Scottish Executive pioneered the ‘Fresh Talent’ scheme, which existed in various forms until 2012, which enabled students from Scottish education institutions to remain in Scotland for two years to work. Since then, migration rules have become stricter and the result has been that Scotland has fallen behind other nations in terms of the growth of international students and their ability to gain valuable work opportunities.
I believe that a new Post Study Work opportunity is now required and that such a scheme would help Scotland to achieve some of its wider international ambitions. The more international students that come here and work in Scotland, the wider our international horizons will be. More businesses would be able to acquire valuable skilled staff with an international outlook and more international students would be leaving Scotland not just with qualifications but also with a network of Scottish contacts and a knowledge of what our businesses have to offer. Increasing numbers of Scotland’s businesses recognise and require the benefits that international students can bring.
This is about making best use of Scotland’s academic strength to meet our economic needs, to develop our indigenous talents and to equip those who come here to study with the means to build and continue a lifelong relationship with Scotland.
Scottish Chambers of Commerce is part of a growing consensus in Scotland across the political spectrum that a new dedicated post study work immigration route is required in Scotland for economic, demographic and social reasons. This case was recognised by the Smith Commission on devolution in its report and it is important that the UK Government sits down with Scotland’s businesses, academic and political interests to find a solution that works for the UK and for Scotland.
Liz Cameron is chief executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce
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