Healthcare and social care recruiter Healthcare Locums’s International Permanent Placements division (HCL International) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the South Korean government’s human resources development service to exclusively train and develop the country’s healthcare staff for international placements.

The memorandum builds on the existing relationship, which the HCL division established with the South Korean government department two years ago to find suitable candidates for international placements. Under the terms of the agreement, HCL International will maintain its exclusive recruitment partnership with the department to help train the South Korea’s surplus healthcare professionals, including staff nurses, midwives and medical-related support staff. In addition HCL International will help place these professionals in suitable positions internationally.

The initiative forms part of South Korea’s ongoing policy of controlled migration whereby surplus healthcare professionals are encouraged to take international placements to boost their professional development as well as enhance the country’s international trade relations.

Kate Bleasdale, executive vice chairman, Healthcare Locums, says: “We are delighted to announce this exclusive recruitment partnership, which is testament to the capability of our international division and represents a further step in the growth of our international business.  The training we will provide will deliver increased opportunities for international permanent placements and we look forward to working with the South Korean government department to develop the skills of the South Korean healthcare workforce.”