The following article is sourced from Spice Business Magazine - Nov 2011 edition
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has released its latest proposals on non-EU migrant workers coming to the United Kingdom. The Government's official advisers have recommended that the number of jobs covered by the shortage occupation list be reduced by 70,000 jobs, from 260,000 to 190,000.
The role of skilled chef remains on the shortage occupation list, with the MAC stating that based on evidence they received there is "still a case for the very top chefs to be recruited from outside the EEA." The consultancy firm, Visalogic, provided useful evidence on behalf of the catering sector. This evidence served to reinforce the reality that despite efforts to recruit skilled chefs, a number of employers were still short of the number of chefs they required.
According to the MAC's latest recommendations, chef jobs that require a minimum of 5 years of experience at the same or higher status, and are paying at least £28,260 should remain included on the shortage occupation list. In addition to the criteria above, the chef positions must not be in a fast food outlet or an establishment which provides take-away services, or where 'standard fare' is served.