Hiring skilled professionals from abroad has become the norm for many companies who want to fill a skills gap, maintain productivity, welcome cultural differences, and reach new customer markets. Emerging technology has enabled companies to fill their workforce with remote employees.
The UK boasts one of the most highly skilled economies in the world, making it a top destination for foreign companies looking to hire skilled professionals.
This article will explore four reasons why foreign companies continue to hire skilled professionals from the UK.
Popular Native Language
The native language in the UK is English, which is the first language of about 360 million people across the world. In addition, a further 990 million people can speak English at some level.
Companies from countries where English is mainly spoken, such as Australia, the US, Canada, and Ireland, will likely operate in English. If you operate from one of these countries, hiring top talent from the UK is beneficial because English is their mother tongue, so there will be no issues with team communication or collaboration.
In addition, there are 24.5 million bilingual adults in the UK, with most being in the age range that is currently entering the workforce (16-24 years old). Hiring an employee who can speak English as well as the language your business operates in can help you expand to new markets, build stronger relationships with clients, and gain a deeper understanding of cultural differences.
(Image Source: Preply)
It's important to note that there are slight differences between British English (spoken in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland) and American English (spoken in the US and Canada). These differences wouldn't affect communication or collaboration but might affect spelling.
No Local Entity Needed
A local entity, also known as a foreign entity, is a business located in a country other than where the business is based initially. For example, a US technology company might have a second office in London, making it easy to hire UK employees compliantly.
However, setting up a local entity isn't always easy, and without one, companies often avoid hiring top talent from the UK because labor laws are extensive and can be challenging for inexperienced parties. This is where an employer-of-record (EOR) provider comes in.
An EOR allows businesses across the world to hire international employees quickly and compliantly without the need for a local entity. So, foreign companies hiring UK talent can trust an EOR provider to handle payroll, taxes, and legal compliance.
The UK Has Fewer Vacancies And More Competition
Between August and November 2023, the estimated number of job vacancies in the UK dropped by 45,000. This means there are fewer local jobs for UK workers to apply for, giving foreign companies a chance to recruit them.
In addition, job competition in the UK is at a three-year high. With more than two jobseekers for every vacancy, workers find it harder to get the roles they apply for.
Those who do one of the UK's most popular jobs, such as software developers, teachers, and payroll managers, may search for roles in foreign countries that have skills gaps in those areas.
For example, the Netherlands are facing teacher shortages, so they are reducing tuition fees for education students and giving them more training to ensure they produce high-quality teachers. This means that teachers who are already qualified from the UK are likely to get a job in the Netherlands.
Brits Are Well-Educated
In the 2022/23 academic year, 2,175,530 UK students were studying at higher education providers in the country. The popularity of attending University in the UK means the region boasts a well-educated workforce.
In addition, higher education (University) in the UK is valued worldwide for its quality and rigorous academic standards. Many UK institutions are ranked among the top Universities in the world, including the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, and Imperial College London.
(Image Source: Statista)
Ready To Hire Skill Professionals From The UK?
Knowing how beneficial it is to hire skilled professionals from the UK gives foreign companies access to a broader talent pool. However, it's important to note that foreign companies should employ an EOR provider to overcome most of the challenges that arise when hiring skilled professionals from the UK.
