Post-Brexit job prospects
The result of UK’s Brexit Referendum, on the 23 June 2016, left many of us unprepared. Social media exploded with questions and confusion as soon as the results were announced all over the world. Among such reactions, there were those of EU students. Young people, who had been born and raised in European countries, that in some cases prepared themselves to move to the UK for education and work, are left with the obvious question: where does Brexit leave me?
Before Brexit was even a possibility, the UK was considered a haven for students in Europe that wanted different education and employment opportunities. Approximately 3 million Europeans lived in the UK at the time of the Brexit vote. It is difficult to say how many have left because of its outcome. However, the Independent reports that the number of EU graduates looking for jobs in the UK fell by 18% last year. The UK runs the risk of losing a considerable number of skilled workers in a post-Brexit world, as the prospects for the long-term plans of EU graduates become more uncertain.
The UK runs the risk of losing a considerable number of skilled workers in a post-Brexit world
Despite the concerns of many students, there are others who are not intimidated by the idea of working in a post-Brexit UK. The day after the results, there were adverse reactions on social media: some shared heartbroken feelings, while others criticized the ‘whiners’ who were not losing anything, other than the cushion of their EU passport.
In any case, it must be taken into consideration that if EU graduates did choose to stay, they would need to secure a job before applying for a visa that would allow them to remain in the UK. Those, who require visas to work, need companies to sponsor their visa applications. This process may not only make things more difficult for EU graduates to find work, as they compete with UK citizens for jobs, but also make it more tempting to move abroad to other countries within Europe, which do not require this added strain.
Those who require visas to work need companies to sponsor their visa applications
We can only speculate about what will happen, as the debate on the possibilities of Brexit in the future continues. As politicians argue over their version of the best outcome, the reality remains that thousands of EU students enter the UK every year in hope of receiving the same employment opportunities as UK citizens, but this may no longer be available.
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