§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on how he makes use of the assistance provided by the(a)UK 1583W National Recognition Information Centre and (b)UK National Reference Point for Vocational Qualifications in the support of Managed Migration programmes. [157365]
§ Beverley HughesThe criteria for the issue of work permits and for the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme requires Work Permits (UK) to be satisfied that overseas workers possess the skills and qualifications necessary to take up jobs in the UK. To qualify for a work permit the job is expected to require the individual to have either
(a) UK equivalent degree level qualification; or,(b) a Higher National Diploma (HND) level qualification which is relevant to the post on offer; or,(c) an HND level qualification which is not relevant to the post plus one year of relevant full-time work experience at National/Scottish Vocational Qualification (N/SVQ) level 3 or above; or,(d) three years full time experience, at N/SVQ level 3 or above, of using specialist skills acquired through doing the type of job for which the permit is sought.In considering this element of the work permit application Work Permits (UK) will, in some cases, consult the UK National Recognition Information Centre and the UK National Reference Point for Vocational Qualifications to ensure the qualifications and skills obtained overseas meet the work permit criteria.