Lucy, a 23 -year -old woman from Birmingham, is looking forward to exploring the possibility of returning to Europe after finishing a diploma in modern languages. But, like many other young British, she found her options limited by the post-Brexit treaty between the EU and the United Kingdom. Since January 2021, stays without visa for British citizens in Europe are limited to 90 days.
“Many EU companies are not willing to go through the long and expensive visa process, when they could find a candidate from another EU country,” explains Lucy, who currently uses her linguistic skills in customer services.
But Lucy and others in the same situation were last month with a flicker of hope. The British government has announced that it was Work with the EU To develop a new cross -border arrangement which would allow young people aged 18 to 30 to live and work freely in continental Europe.
Tens of thousands of young employees could benefit financially and professionally from the “youth experienced scheme”, according to experts.
The plan comes at a time when the dull growth of the British economy and the increase in wages in many EU economies have combined to make a movement particularly attractive.
The details of the arrangement – part of a broader agreement of the United Kingdom which aims to “reset” relations between the two economies – are still being negotiated. The British government has declared that eligibility will be “capped and limited in time”.
However, Lucy says that the program “would open a lot of doors to him”.
“I could consider living again abroad, without having to worry about the way I could get there, and how much it could cost me,” she adds.
Any revived right to work in the EU could be particularly advantageous for the 40,000 lawyers in England and in the land of Wales under 35, according to Richard Atkinson, president of the Barteau of England and the Wales.
Atkinson says that before Brexit, it was common for young lawyers to go to the EU countries to work and train – something that, according to him, is now much rarer.
“Since visa treatment can take several months, many law firms have suspended detachment programs in the EU,” said Atkinson.
He adds that lawyers at the start of their career can achieve “important financial and professional gains” by working in EU countries for a short period.
Others highlight the value of young people on both sides of the canal to simply obtain an exposure to cultures from other countries.
John Kerr, responsible for global mobility at Pinent Masons, a professional service company, says that a program would offer advantages to a “social and professional level” at the time of life when people are generally the most able to be “world mobile”.
A decision can stimulate long -term career prospects, he says – and customers of many international organizations are now expecting their advisers to have such experience.
According to Robert Walters, an international international recruitment company based in London.
He indicates that, in financial services, the average annual salary in the United Kingdom exceeds just over € 102,000, always higher than in any EU country. The average annual salary in the sector in Germany, the nearest competitor, is still almost 16%.
However, the strength of financial services in major European cities, such as Francfurt, Paris, Amsterdam, Dublin and Luxembourg, has increased from Brexit, according to Jonny Bohane, principal director of market intelligence at Robert Walters. The desire of professionals with a better balance between professional and private life could add to the attraction of moving to these cities, he adds.
“While London maintains its financial advance in other regions, countries like Germany and Ireland quickly catch up, having already established as the main European technological centers,” said Bohane.
The current high cost of life and tight job market improves the attractions of a move in Europe, according to Lucy.
“The cost of living is cheaper in some European countries, which would have a financial impact on me,” she says.
Dan Hawes, co-founder of the Graduate Recruitment Bureau, advice, says that these factors can encourage graduates without job offers to consider the “natural choice” for higher and higher level jobs.
Hawes stresses that it remains too early to say what the effect of the diet could be. But it emphasizes bad perspectives faced with many current graduates in the United Kingdom compared to past generations.
“There was no precedent, at least in my life, what graduates are faced this time,” he said.
Beneficiaries of similar and previous mobility programs can testify to their value.
Jayne Hamilton, software developer and architect with more than 20 years of experience, took advantage of the Erasmus program of the EU, set up in 1987 to facilitate and often subsidize the possibilities of cross -border education and training for young people. British citizens had access to the program before Brexit.
Hamilton, who lives in Newcastle, says the opportunity to work in Europe and acquire linguistic skills “threw foundations” for his career.
“This experience has made employers in Europe take me more seriously as a candidate,” she said.
She adds that the opportunity to work in Europe has facilitated its financial path. Jobs comparable to the United Kingdom are concentrated in London and Southeast of England expensive.
“Living in London on the salary of a graduate starter is not easy,” explains Hamilton. “Starting a career in Europe, where subsistence costs were cheaper, was much easier.”
Hamilton says that if it had not been for her first work experience in Europe, she would not have reached the same level in her career, which directly benefited the British economy.
“The internal income would have had less income from my work,” she said, referring to the tax authority of the United Kingdom.
Chris Eldridge, director general of Robert Walters Uk and Ireland, said that the experience for young people could “open important opportunities” for entry -level professionals, in particular in the banking, financial, legal and technological services. Employers could use it to connect skills gaps and extend their talent pools, he adds.
But Eldridge warns that increased mobility could also lead to an excess offer in certain sectors of candidates such as human resources and intensify competition for those who wish to stay in the United Kingdom.
“While new graduates join the workforce each year, competition is intensifying, and this policy could introduce additional competition from European peers,” he says.
Nevertheless, Hamilton stresses that the advantages of work abroad can extend beyond the role itself or the compensation package.
“The opportunities for cultural enrichment are incredible,” says Hamilton, adding that any British who works or studies in Europe becomes ambassador for the United Kingdom. “Friendships and networks are built from which we all benefit.”
Lucy says that the study abroad made it more confident, independent and resilient. It will welcome the chance to repeat the experience by working in Europe, she adds.
“I know that being able to spend time working abroad not only would improve my career, but would give me many more transferable skills that would make me a more rounded and stronger candidate for any job, in the United Kingdom or the EU.”
