VADODARA, AUGUST 28, 2004
PRATHIMA KUMAR
TNN
: The British government has relaxed its policy on certain category
of students staying on in the UK after studies. It will now allow science
and technology students graduating in the UK to apply to stay on in
the UK for 12 months to work. Students who have completed their courses
may take up employment in the UK under the Training and Work Experience
Scheme (TWES).
TWES is a special arrangement within the work permit scheme that allows
people to do work-based training for a professional or specialist qualification,
a graduate training programme or to undertake work experience.
"Normally, candidates wishing to enter the UK on a student visa
are expected to return home at the end of their studies. However, graduating
students with certain specialisations can now stay back for one more
year, and also recover most part of their expenses," says Ashok
Dhruva, an immigration consultant.
A student qualifies for the TWES if he or she has the necessary professional
qualification and demonstrates the ability to benefit from the training.
"The student works for a minimum of 30 hours a week and also earns
training permits wages and other conditions equivalent to other on-the-job
training, which will help him recover most part of his education loans,"
informs Dhruva.
Often, Indian students are found taking up odd jobs in an effort to
recover their costs of education loans. But this will ruin their chances
of getting into TWES for want of attendance and good scores, lament
experts.
"Students must realise that education is more important than making
up for the money spent. It is advisable to take up proper jobs that
can build their experience than take up odd jobs. With TWES, the student
will come back richer with a recognised degree and work experience.
All this apart from the earnings through TWES," adds Dhruva.
However, a transfer from a training permit to a work permit is not
possible as the candidate holding a training permit is expected to spend
at least two years outside the UK before applying for a full work permit.
UK businesses can now obtain a work permit on behalf of an international
student graduating from a UK educational institution without the need
for the student to first return home. Graduate students, student nurses
and post-graduate doctors and dentists can benefit from this policy.
For in-country switching into work permit employment, the students
should fulfil certain criteria -- he has completed a recognised degree
course at the UK with satisfactory records of enrolment and attendance;
and holds a valid work permit for employment and has written consent
from his scholarship agency as applicable.