UK administration extends recruitment for health c...

UK administration extends recruitment for health care workers

Zim Now Writer

Zimbabwean health and social care workers interested in seeking jobs in the United Kingdom still have a chance to do so after the UK administration unveiled a budget of £15 million to facilitate more recruitment.

The British government has since extended recruitment of persons in the sector to the year 2024.

Earlier in January, there were rumours that the UK would this March, terminate head-hunting for nurse aides to fill the gaps wrought by the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Government can confirm that it is making £15 million available over 2023 to 2024 to help support international recruitment within the adult social care sector.

"The aim of this fund is to promote collaborative arrangements which reduce administrative complexity and burden, particularly for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) providers.

"This guidance is for local authorities and adult social care providers,” the British government said.

In February 2022, care workers were added to the Health and Care Worker visa shortage occupation list, enabling these roles to be recruited from overseas.

Most Zimbabweans have resorted to undertaking nurse aide courses to make them qualified for recruitment as adult social care workers in the UK and other European countries.

The local support arrangements offer recruiting agencies help with identifying overseas candidates, completing sponsorship license and visa application and onboarding, among others.

The great trek to the UK has also seen the exodus of expert health professionals, with more than 4,000 nurses and doctors confirmed to have left Zimbabwe since February 2021.

The British Home Office in 2022 revealed that Zimbabwe is now in the top five skilled worker visa recipient countries.