The Executive's Fresh Talent initiative encourages people to consider coming to live and work in Scotland.
It was formally introduced by a statement in the Scottish Parliament by First Minister Jack McConnell on February 25, 2004 when he laid out the actions to be taken to address Scotland's population decline and support Scotland's continuing economic prosperity.
The publication New Scots: Attracting Fresh Talent to Meet the Challenge of Growth sets out how the Scottish government intends to operate a scheme of managed migration. And its follow report, Scotland is the Place: Building the Best Small Country in the World sets out progress in the first year.
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Two reports have so far been published on the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme
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A special website - www.scotlandistheplace.com - offers help and encouragement to anyone thinking of moving to live and work in Scotland. It includes a registration facility that will provide updates and newsletters.
The scheme involves measures such as:
- From summer 2005 any non-EEA student graduating from a Scottish higher or further education institute with an HND, degree, masters or PHD will be eligible to apply for leave to remain for up to two years without requiring a work permit.
- In October 2004 the government set up a relocation advisory service for people considering settling in Scotland. This one-stop service offers a wide range of advice on everything from employment, accommodation, visas and work permits to Scotland's health service, cultural life and leisure activities.
- Appointed a Scottish Enterprise secondee to join the relocation advisory service to offer employers advice on how to recruit staff from overseas.
- Funding for 22 scholarships for students from overseas who want to study for a Masters degree in Scotland. The Scottish International Scholarship Programme will start in 2005/06 and there will be nine scholarships for students from China, six for Indian scholarships and two each for students from South Africa, Australia, and Singapore as well as one for a student from New Zealand
- We have granted Scottish Networks International £225,000 over the next three years to provide a total of 20 work placements. The funding will also be used to enhance the experience of a further 200 overseas postgraduates
- The government has set up a challenge fund for universities and colleges to help them provide international students with opportunities to enjoy all their new home has to offer, and to make decisions about whether to stay here at the end of their studies.