EMPLOYERS REMAIN reluctant to take on newly graduated immigrants due to poorly publicised regulations, the Irish Council for International Students (ICOS) has said.
Recently graduated non-EU immigrants can be granted a six-month extension on their residency permission, during which time they are permitted to work 40 hours per week under the Third Level Graduate Employment Scheme.
However, according to the ICOS, many employers remain unaware of the initiative, which was launched in 2007.
Following “a significant number of reports” that employers are reluctant to take on qualifying international graduates due to lack of awareness and clarity on employment regulations, the ICOS has produced a leaflet giving basic information on this and other schemes.
The leaflet will be of interest to employers, employer groups, career advisers, and also to non -European Economic Area (EEA) graduates of Irish higher education institutions who may be exploring the possibility of staying on in Ireland to work for some time after their studies.
In order to continue in employment in Ireland after the six-month period has expired, graduates must secure a longer-term job offer and apply to another scheme (ie for a green card or work permit).
Visit www.icosirl.ie to download the information leaflet.
