TIGA Responds to Migration Advisory Committee’s Investigation into Tier 2 Migration System
TIGA, the network for games developers and digital publishers and the trade association representing the video games industry, said today that highly skilled migrants can strengthen the UK video games industry. TIGA added that the Government should be careful about restricting the migration of highly skilled people into the UK. TIGA made the comments in a response to the Migration Advisory Committee’s investigation into Tier 2 of the points based migration system. This is the route for skilled workers from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) who have an offer of skilled employment in the UK.
TIGA made four principal comments:
- Firstly, the Government should avoid introducing a skills levy. The effectiveness of training levies and the need for them is questionable. However, if a levy is introduced it should only apply to large firms i.e. businesses employing 250 or more staff. This is because large firms: are more likely to recruit from outside of the European Economic Area; have the resources to pay a levy; and are better placed than small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to actually access funds raised via the levy.
- Secondly, if a levy is imposed on businesses, there should be no requirement for the levy to only fund apprenticeships. Instead, contributing employers should be free to spend the money on the form of training that best meets the needs of their businesses. Often this will be in the form of on-the-job training or short, bite sized courses.
- Thirdly, the Government should be careful about restricting the Inter-Company Transfer migration route. Inter-Company Transfers can promote the transfer of knowledge and skills to UK employees. This in turn can enhance the attractiveness of businesses and of the UK economy to global investors.
- Fourthly, the Government should expand the Shortage Occupation List. This is because the video games industry suffers from some specific skills shortages – despite the provision of graduates from universities and investment in training by games companies. Expanding the Shortage Occupation List will encourage the transfer of skills to the indigenous workforce and promote the growth of businesses and of the wider economy.
Roles that should be added to the Shortage Occupation List include:
- Game/Data Analyst
- Senior Game Artist
- Brand Manager
- Senior Game Designer
- Localisation Manager
- Community Manager
- Senior Producer
- Engine Programmer
- Monetisation Manager
Dr Richard Wilson, CEO of TIGA, said:
“Game developers and digital publishers invest in training and some work with education providers to ensure that courses are of good quality in order to improve the supply of high quality development staff available to work in the industry. Games businesses recruit 96 per cent of their staff from within the UK and the wider EEA. Unfortunately, skill shortages in some specific roles do exist and so it is important that games businesses can recruit highly skilled personnel from outside of the EEA when the need arises.
“The employment of highly skilled migrants in the UK games industry can promote the additional recruitment of resident workers. This is because when UK studios hire skilled migrant workers, they sometimes have a multiplier effect and result in the employment of teams of resident workers who are employed to work with them. Additionally, the employment of skilled migrant workers typically results in knowledge sharing with existing teams. This enhances the skills and knowledge of the indigenous workforce.
“The Government should therefore maintain an Inter-Company Transfer route and expand the Shortage Occupation List. This is good for employees, businesses and the UK economy.”
About TIGA
TIGA isthe network for games developers and digital publishers and the trade association representing the video games industry. Since 2010, TIGA has won 24 business awards and commendations and has been successfully accredited as an Investors in People organisation three times. TIGA focuses on three sets of activities:
- Political representation
- Media representation
- Business services
This enhances the competitiveness of our members by providing benefits that make a material difference to their businesses, including a reduction in costs and improved commercial opportunities. It also means our members’ voices are heard in the corridors of power and positively represented in national, broadcast and UK video games trade media.
Get in touch:
Tel: 0845 468 2330
Email: info@tiga.org
Web: www.tiga.org
Twitter: www.twitter.com/tigamovement
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TIGAMovement
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/tiga
For further information, you can also contact: Dr Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO on: 07875 939 643, or email: richard.wilson@tiga.org