A new suite of materials has been introduced, aimed at giving employers in the UK an enhanced understanding of the advantages of hiring international students via the Graduate Route. Launched by the British Universities' International Liaison Association (BUILA) and the International Student Employability Group, the initiative will provide tools to show employers how straightforward it is to employ via the Graduate Route and Skilled Worker Route visas. "International students can bring great talent and global insight to business," said Karen Blackney, employability lead, BUILA Executive to The PIE. "We hope that these succinct guides will help employers to navigate the straightforward and low-cost process of employing them."

"Never been easier" 

The International Student Employability Group (ISEG) said that since the Graduate Route visa and the Skilled Worker Route were launched, it has "never been easier" for employers to hire from Britain's "rich pool of international talent. International students make a huge contribution to the UK and bring with them a range of skills and experiences, drawn directly from their studies and from their lived experience in their home country," it stated. Nevertheless, it cited recent findings from think tank HEPI and Kaplan indicating that just 3% of employers said they had used the Graduate Route visa. Whereas an additional 27% said they were not familiar with the Graduate Route visa. 

"Clear strategy for international student employability"

A recent report by the All Party Parliamentary Group for International Students advised that the higher education sector should "create a clear strategy for international student employability that supports students and graduates, and provides the knowledge, tools, and skills they need to navigate the various options open to them post study." As such, as of this week, the new materials were launched online by ISEG, including an international student guide and employer infographic. These materials will be circulated around employer networks and associations, as well as students. "Students are great advocates for the scheme, and if armed with the right material, can help demonstrate the benefits directly to the employer," said an ISEG statement. "In addition, and importantly, the materials will give university staff and careers offices the tools to simply explain to employers how easy it is to employ international students."

Via this initiative, ISEG is hoping to ensure employers recognise that recruiting international students is not a costly or time-consuming process, especially under the Graduate Route.