From culture, sport and entertainment to food, design and technology, the impact of our talent and entrepreneurial spirit is felt in every corner of the globe.
UK talent and labour
Key benefits
The UK has:
- 4 of the top 10 universities in the world
- a highly educated workforce falling within the top 10 OECD countries when it comes to the proportion of adults with a tertiary education
- 9 institutions in the ‘Global MBA Rankings 2022’ produced by the Financial Times
Flexible labour laws that support growth
The UK combines competitive employment regulations with a highly educated workforce and 4 out of the world’s top 10 universities.
The UK’s flexible labour laws help businesses hire staff in a way that suits their needs. Contract options vary from full-time, part-time and agency staff to freelancers, consultants and contractors. Freedom to recruit quickly and for as long as needed, helps companies to react to changing circumstances.
Competitive labour costs
The UK operates a National Minimum Wage and a National Living Wage, encouraging people into employment and preventing businesses from competing unfairly.
The brightest talent
A highly-skilled, diverse workforce is the foundation of the UK’s strong, international, dynamic economy. The UK holds a globally recognised higher education system, allowing businesses to have access to the sorts of transferable, critical thinking skills that drive innovation and business growth.
The UK is home to 4 of the world’s top 10 universities: Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial College London and University College London. There are also 9 UK institutions in the “Global MBA Rankings 2022” produced by the Financial Times. Overall, the Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI) ranks the UK second in the world for both the quality of its universities, and its pool of global knowledge skills.
High-quality, hands-on training
An apprenticeship is a job with training that lets someone earn while they learn. Apprentices get the training and qualifications they need to become fully competent in their chosen occupation.
Apprenticeships enable businesses to grow talent and are available in hundreds of occupations across all sectors of the economy. You can get help from the government to pay for apprenticeship training.
Find out more about employing an apprentice in the UK and other training and employment schemes for your business.
A nation of entrepreneurs
Innovative businesses are attracted by the leading-edge technologies and expertise available in the UK’s academic and research facilities.
The UK government’s Global Entrepreneur Programme (GEP) helps high-growth overseas companies relocate to the UK.
Find out more about our Global Entrepreneur Programme.
You can check if you need a UK visa using this easy online tool.
Find a UK immigration law or relocation specialist.
Find the right staff for your business
Many companies in the UK offer recruitment support and advice about employing staff. The UK government runs the Investment Support Directory, a collection of companies that have skills and experience in helping overseas businesses set up or expand in the UK.
External links
Support for recruiting and training apprentices