London Mayor gives SMEs recruitment help
Small businesses are being assisted in their efforts to recruit the top international talent by the Mayor of London.
Boris Johnson, now in his second term as London mayor after being elected in 2008, is launching a new information toolkit providing SMEs with everything they need to know about recruiting from abroad.
The online information is available via the Mayor’s website and carried out in partnership with the Home Office.
It provides expert help from advisors on how to navigate the visa system, providing SMEs with the tools they need when hiring highly skilled staff.
“Small businesses have told me they want to bring the top talent from around the world to London to work with them, but they often do not have the same access to expert legal support that larger companies enjoy and they can struggle to negotiate their way through the visa process,” said Mr. Johnson.
“I want to break down those barriers and that is why we are testing a new approach that we believe can help these companies tempt the sharpest minds to come to London and play their part in helping our great city to thrive.”
Any small business based in the capital has access to the latest resources, which includes details surrounding sponsorship of workers among other issues. This is just one of the reasons why many see London as one of the best places in the world to set up a business.
Trial period could be the start of something significant
It also provides information on how to meet Home Office standards and sets out answers to the most frequently asked questions.
Under the current plans, the toolkit will be available for a three-month trial period before it will undergo evaluation.
Small businesses that have used it will also be asked for their opinions on how it could be changed or improved if necessary.
The Mayor of London's Deputy Mayor for business and enterprise, Kit Malthouse, added: “Small businesses need to move fast to attract the best brains from around the world.
“If we do not make it as easy as humanly possible for them to access the worldwide talent pool we risk losing out to our global rivals. This toolkit, following our London Visa proposal, is a good start.”
By Phil Smith