Giving UK-based workers a better chance to find jobs

In April 2009, the government tightened the resident labour market test, which prevents employers from offering skilled jobs to overseas workers unless workers living in the United Kingdom have had a chance to apply for them first. The test now requires employers to advertise these jobs in Jobcentre Plus offices for up to two weeks, as well as advertising them by another method set out in the codes of practice for their industrial sector.

Advertising jobs in Jobcentre Plus is straightforward and free of charge - employers can submit their advertisements online, by email, by fax or over the phone, in a process that can take as little as five minutes.

The resident labour market test is part of the United Kingdom's points-based system, which ensures that migrants from outside Europe have the skills we need. The test covers skilled jobs such as primary school teachers, some nurses, architects, farm managers, hotel managers, graphic designers and air traffic controllers. An employer must take the test before they recruit a migrant through Tier 2 (General) of the points-based system, unless the vacancy is included on the shortage occupation list.

To coincide with the tightening of the test, the UK Border Agency launched an advertising campaign to make sure that employers knew their responsibilities.

This is the process an employer must follow before employing a person who is not a permanent resident of the United Kingdom if he/she is first required to show that no resident worker could be found to take a job.