For the time being, the UK and the City in particular look set to remain an extremely attractive target location for employees across the world. Yet despite the huge draw of London and the South-East, skills shortages seems to be an ongoing issue for many companies, irrespective of their industry. Part of the problem lies within the recruitment industry and the need to take off the blinkers when it comes to recruiting outside Blighty.

In our own sector of audit and accounting, I have seen new regulations increase the pressure on what was already a candidate-driven market. There are not nearly enough suitably qualified accountants or finance managers to fill the number of jobs available and recruiters and clients have looked to traditional and non-traditional markets in Europe and even further afield to locate the required skill-set.

Given these developments, you would think that UK recruiters would have become more knowledgeable and understanding of nuances in non-UK markets. And yet it appears this is not the case. It surprises me when I hear from candidates just how badly informed UK recruiters are on the subjects of immigration and visa issues (see also p24).

You may argue that it is not the responsibility of a recruiter to understand the machinations of the visa system but with the recruitment net as large as it is, how else is a recruiter expected to advise clients on the salient issues when the decision has been taken to consider non-UK or non-UK based candidates? The UK recruitment industry needs to be less narrow-minded and show a better understanding of non-UK qualifications and skills when recruiting and agencies need to educate their staff.

But the buck doesn't stop here, it's also the clients. Many of our European candidates provide us with feedback that clearly shows that even line managers don't have an adequate understanding of their qualifications.

All too often I hear how candidates in their interviews have to spend a significant portion of their time explaining their qualifications. Until we all start to appreciate the benefits of our European neighbours, such ignorance will see UK companies resisting the recruitment of non-UK nationals and a surfeit of vacancies in the market for a long time to come.