Brexit not deterring migrant IT jobseekers - report

Job site Indeed reports that EU jobseekers more interested in lower-paid tech roles

The UK tech sector is continuing to attract interest from migrant jobseekers, particularly from citizens of non-EU countries, according to job website Indeed.

Analysis by the firm indicated that one in 10 enquiries about available jobs in the tech industry comes from outside the UK.

It also reported that three out of the four most sought-after UK jobs among high-skilled global jobseekers are in the tech space.

Indeed claimed that a large number of the applicants are coming from India's booming tech sector, on which the UK's own market is increasingly relying.

Its data indicated that during the first nine months of 2018, one fifth of Indian jobseekers enquiring about UK jobs were interested in technical roles.

"Britain's tech sector is a magnet for global talent," said Pawle Adrjan, economist at Indeed.

"Its popularity among non-EU jobseekers could provide a valuable Brexit hedge, as the ability of non-Europeans to apply for work in Britain will be unaffected by the UK's departure from the EU. That will provide some reassurance for Britain's tech employers.

"However, the government's plan to level the playing field for EU and non-EU workers seeking to come to the UK after Brexit may interrupt the supply of Europeans looking for skilled but lower-paid jobs."

Indeed's data showed that EU migrants still showed more interest in skilled but lower-paid roles, such as foreign language teaching and international sales.

Non-EU citizens are required to earn a £30,000 salary to secure work approval in Britain, according to current UK work visa guidelines.

However, the government's promise to extend these same visa rules to EU workers post-Brexit could leave many potential EU citizens looking for technical roles elsewhere in Europe, as they may not be able to reach that financial threshold.

"A shortfall in European applicants for entry-level but specialist roles, especially language-based positions, is unlikely to be able to be filled by British applicants, with language learning in the UK continuing to decline," Adrjan said.

"While initially problematic, this may result in significant pay rises in these sectors to enable European workers to meet any future salary threshold and remain eligible for a working visa."