Scotland, is now rolling out the red carpet for highly skilled young Indians

The Indian community is, in fact, one of the better established and largest ethnic communities - around 10,500 people of Indian origin - Scotland attracting a large number of Indian companies that are setting up base there. This leads to a large number of highly skilled Indians migrating to Scotland. Says Michael Cannon, India country manager, Scottish Development International: “There are leading Indian companies who have presence in Scotland such as Wipro, Hero ITeS, Usha Martin, Bharat Forge, Nicholas Pharma and Shasun to name a few.”

Now Indian immigrants are adding to Scotland’s human resources pool in a big way. Says Cannon: “We also have a very close and productive collaboration between government, business innovators, finance leaders and institutions of higher learning. Our stress has always been on quality projects with quality companies leading to high-value jobs.

The ‘Fresh Talent’ initiative was launched some years ago by recognizing the benefits of a more skilled and diverse workforce. Scottish universities and colleges have, since June 2005, yielded 7,953 international graduates, who have taken the opportunity provided by the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland scheme to apply to stay on in the country after they are done with their studies. The scheme allows graduates from Scottish universities and colleges to apply to stay and work in the country without a work permit. The initiative is aimed at encouraging and enabling people to relocate to Scotland and allowing international students to remain in Scotland for two years after graduation.

There are many Indian students who have availed themselves of this facility. They have chosen to stay on and work in Scotland so that they can put the knowledge and skills they have learnt into practice. International work experience enhances future employability across the world.

Contributed By:
Prof. Amit Dey
(Globsyn Business School)
Source: The Economic Times