What's Happening?
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has proposed changes to the skilled worker visa list, impacting the construction industry. The recommendations suggest maintaining most construction roles on the Temporary Shortage List (TSL), which allows professionals to move to the UK. However, certain roles like rail and rolling stock builders and repairers, and toolmakers, have been removed from the list. The MAC has also recommended exploring new sponsorship models, such as sector-wide or project-based visa routes, to help smaller firms access overseas talent more cost-effectively. These recommendations follow a Home Office whitepaper proposing to raise visa requirements to RQF Level 6, equivalent to a degree level.
Why It's Important?
The proposed changes to the skilled worker visa list are significant for the construction industry, which relies heavily on overseas talent to fill gaps in various roles. By maintaining most construction roles on the TSL, the MAC aims to ensure the industry can continue to meet government ambitions and infrastructure needs. The exploration of new sponsorship models could reduce administrative burdens and costs for smaller firms, potentially leading to more efficient recruitment processes. However, the removal of certain roles from the list may create challenges for sectors that previously relied on these skilled workers.
What's Next?
The recommendations are not final, and the list is expected to be further refined. If approved, the MAC will test the 82 roles deemed crucial to see if they are genuinely in shortage and have a robust jobs plan in place. Industry stakeholders and sector experts will need to provide evidence to support the inclusion of roles on the TSL. A follow-up report is scheduled for publication in July 2026, which will provide further insights into the implementation of these recommendations.
