TWES – Training and Work Experience Scheme
The Training and Work Experience Scheme is designed to allow individuals from overseas to benefit from training and / or work experience in the UK with UK employers. The idea is that the candidate learns or develops skills in the UK which they then take back and utilise in their home country. The "position" should be additional to normal staffing requirements. The person should not be taking a “job” from a resident worker. For this reason, there is no requirement for the employer to test the resident workforce through recruitment advertising. From the point of view of preparing an application the lack of a need for a recruitment search is offset by the need for a detailed training, or work experience, schedule. Perhaps surprisingly, it is necessary in a TWES application, to demonstrate that the individual meets the skills threshold, and following recent changes, the skills threshold in place here is actually more demanding and rigid than for a business & commercial work permit.
TWES applications are always based either on training (where the training will normally lead to a professional qualification), or based on work experience. Where the application is based on work experience, TWES visas are only issued for either 18 months, or a maximum of 2 years. Where a TWES application has been based on training, approval can be given for a maximum of up to 5 years. The individual is expected to leave the UK for a minimum period at the end of the approved period.
If the period of training or work experience has been less than 12 months, then the individual must spend at least 12 months outside of the UK before they become eligible to re-enter the UK on a work permit. If the individual has spent over 12 months on a TWES visa, then they do not become eligible to re-enter the UK on a work permit for at least 2 years.
TWES visas are issued on the understanding that the candidate wishes to take their skills back to their home country on completion of the placement, and does not intend to settle in the UK.
Many individuals in the UK on TWES visas decide during their stay that they would rather be on a work permit than on a TWES visa. Indeed, most candidates now on TWES visas would have met the skills threshold for a work permit……
