The frustration and inequity surrounding the employment of immigrants and the obtaining of training visas for QSs cannot be underestimated. Yet to give up trying because the hurdles seem too great will do further injustice to a vital contributor to the UK鈥檚 economy and its built environment.

Our clients frequently look abroad to plug the skills gap, and although this may be complex, the rewards far exceed the risks.

We applaud the effort to move the QS industry on to the skills shortage list 鈥� other areas of the construction industry should follow this lead. Meanwhile, defeatism will not support its cause. It could even mistakenly indicate that the skills shortage is not as serious as thought. Until the UK has a definite pipeline of qualified QSs available, employers must continue fighting.

Alistair Winks, head of managed projects, Resourcing Solutions

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