The answer to bringing down immigration, argue our politicians, is to train our indigenous workforce so we can close the skills gap currently filled by migrant labour.
I say: how very idealistic of you.
Now join those on the frontline actually trying to fill those vacancies, often in areas with a high cost of living set against fixed national pay awards.
If you hadn’t noticed, areas with relatively affordable housing in the North of England have spent the past few years poaching health and care workers from the South East, with the promise of a better standard of living relative to pay.
As a result, most health and care services in the South of England are operating in a perpetual state of crisis.
Think you can attract indigenous labour simply with the promise of training opportunities? Try it.
Try attracting the young apprentice aspiring for rapid career and salary progression. As soon as they’ve done the maths, that pathway seems less enticing.
Unless our politicians discover the ability to promote an altruistic work ethic in society, in which citizens develop a vocation of service, their populist platitudes will remain soundbites.
Most people are not motivated by the greater good of society as a whole. They are mostly thinking, “Will I be able to afford my lifestyle based on this salary?”
Who has the inclination to actually tackle realities on the ground?
Last modified: 19 June 2024
