HML - bringing IT programmers from Down Under

August 2008

Demand is increasing for the products and services of Homeloan Management Ltd (HML).The company depends on a particular IT programming skill that is very difficult to source in the United Kingdom, so it relies on bringing in trained programmers from Australia or New Zealand - usually at short notice.

HML used to find that applying for individual work permits was laborious and time-consuming, and required detailed knowledge of the immigration system. Now, its ability to issue certificates to staff from overseas as a licensed sponsor is making the whole process easier to manage and promises to reduce the wait time for new staff by at least a month.

Justine Mooney, HML's resourcing manager, says: 'Initially it seemed quite daunting to go through the licensing approval process, but with the support and guidance of our dedicated UK Border Agency account manager the process was actually very straightforward.'

The process simply required HML to gather information, complete an online application form and provide supporting documentation, and so was not unlike a normal recruitment process.

'We even had a pre-licensing visit from the UK Border Agency, which did feel a bit like a job interview! The whole process helped us to get our house in order and has raised the understanding of "right to work" requirements in our recruitment team,' says Justine.

An organisation that is licensed by us to sponsor migrants to come to the United Kingdom under the points-based system.