Hiring and Sponsoring Civil engineers (SOC Code 2121)

Civil Engineers, classified under SOC Code 2121, are essential professionals in the construction and infrastructure sectors, playing a crucial role in designing, building, and maintaining the physical environment. Their expertise spans various areas, including:

• Research and Advising
• • Offers insights on soil mechanics, concrete technology, hydraulics, and water treatment processes.
  • Provides guidance on wastewater treatment and other civil engineering matters.
• Construction Specifications
• • Determines and specifies construction methods, materials, and safety standards.
  • Ensures that equipment operation and maintenance comply with design specifications.
• Structural Design
• • Designs foundations and earthworks.
  • Develops structures such as roads, dams, bridges, railways, hydraulic systems, sewerage systems, and buildings.
• Project Organisation
• • Organises and plans projects, arranging work schedules and conducting inspection work.
  • Plans maintenance control and establishes systems to monitor operational efficiency and the performance of materials and systems.

With the growing need for infrastructure development and management, the demand for skilled civil engineers is at an all-time high, prompting many organizations to seek talent from both domestic and international sources. This guide will assist HR professionals in navigating the process of hiring and sponsoring civil engineers under the UK's immigration system.

What is SOC Code 3411 for Civil engineers?

SOC Code 2121 refers to civil engineers who specialize in the design, construction, and maintenance of infrastructure projects. Their responsibilities can include:

• Research and advising: Conducting studies on soil mechanics, concrete technology, hydraulics, and water/wastewater treatment processes.
• Determining construction methods: Specifying the appropriate methods, materials, quality, and safety standards for construction projects.
• Designing structures: Creating designs for roads, dams, bridges, railways, hydraulic systems, sewerage systems, and other industrial buildings, as well as planning layouts for tunnels, wells, and construction shafts.
• Project organization: Planning projects, arranging work schedules, conducting inspections, and coordinating maintenance activities.
• Control systems implementation: Establishing systems to monitor operational efficiency and performance of materials and systems used in construction.

Civil engineers play a vital role in the development of infrastructure, ensuring safety, sustainability, and functionality in the built environment.

Eligibility to Hire Civil engineers (SOC Code 3411)

1. Job Requirements

Civil engineers must exhibit a robust understanding of engineering principles and relevant qualifications. Candidates should meet the following criteria:

• Education: A degree in civil engineering or a related field is essential; a Master’s degree may be advantageous.
• Experience: Proven experience in civil engineering, particularly in areas such as soil mechanics, concrete technology, and water treatment processes.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in designing structures (roads, bridges, dams, etc.), earthworks, and construction methods while adhering to safety and quality standards.
• Project Management: Capability to organize and plan projects, including developing work schedules, conducting inspections, and managing maintenance control.
• Analytical Skills: Ability to conduct research and advise on technical aspects of civil engineering, as well as monitor operational efficiency and performance of materials and systems.
• Certifications: Professional Engineering (PE) license or equivalent qualifications may be required and should be kept current.

Ensure the job description aligns with SOC Code 2121 and that the candidate’s experience and qualifications meet the expectations for the role.

1. Salary Thresholds
2. Use the Minimum Salary Calculator to ensure your salary offer meets immigration requirements.

Sponsoring Civil engineers: A Step-by-Step Guide for HR Professionals

Once you’ve confirmed that the role and candidate meet the eligibility requirements, follow this step-by-step guide to sponsoring Civil engineers under SOC Code 2121.

Step 1: Obtain a Sponsor Licence

Before hiring non-UK Civil engineers, your company or institution must obtain a sponsor licence. This licence enables you to legally sponsor overseas Civil engineers under the Skilled Worker Visa program.

• Sponsor Licence Application: Submit documentation proving that your business is legitimate and has a genuine vacancy. Visit the sponsor licence application guide for more information. 
• Sponsor Licence Fees: Small businesses typically pay £574, while larger institutions pay £1,579. For more information, visit the sponsor licence fees guide. 
• Processing Time: Applications typically take up to 8 weeks, but using the Sponsor Licence Priority Service can reduce the processing time to 10 working days.

Once your sponsor licence is approved, you will receive a sponsor licence number, which allows you to assign Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS).

Step 2: Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Once you have your sponsor licence, the next step is to assign a CoS to the Civil engineers. This document provides key details about the job and the individual being sponsored.

• Defined vs Undefined CoS: Use a Defined CoS for Civil engineers applying from outside the UK, and an Undefined CoS for those already in the UK. Learn more in the Defined & Undefined Certificates of Sponsorship guide. 
• Required Documents: Provide details such as the Civil engineers’s portfolio, passport and job offer. Refer to Documents Required for Certificate of Sponsorship for a full list of necessary documents.

Step 3: Apply for the Skilled Worker Visa

Once the CoS is issued, the Civil engineers can apply for the Skilled Worker Visa.

• Visa Fees: Fees vary depending on the role and visa length—use the visa fees calculator to estimate the costs. 
• Immigration Skills Charge: Employers are required to pay this charge as part of sponsoring non-UK workers. This is separate from visa fees.

Conducting a Right to Work Check for Civil engineers

Before the Civil engineers begins working, you must conduct a right to work check to ensure they are legally allowed to work in the UK.

• Manual Right to Work Check: Verify original documents such as the Civil engineers’s passport and visa. 
• Online Right to Work Check: If the Civil engineers holds an eVisa, you can use the UK government’s online system to verify their right-to-work status.

For more details on how to perform these checks, see the right to work check guide.

Post-Hiring Responsibilities and Compliance

1. Record-Keeping and Reporting  
2. • Record-Keeping: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of the Civil engineers’s employment details, salary and contact information. 
   • Reporting Changes: Report any significant changes to the Civil engineers’s role—such as promotions or salary increases—via the Sponsor Management System (SMS).
3. Sponsor Licence Duties and Compliance
4. Failure to comply with your sponsor licence duties can result in penalties or sponsor licence revocation, impacting your ability to sponsor future Civil engineerss.

How Borderless Can Help with Sponsoring Civil engineers

Sponsoring Civil engineers under SOC Code 2121 can be a complex process, but Borderless can simplify it for you. We offer comprehensive support to help you manage the entire sponsorship process.

End-to-End Sponsorship Support

At Borderless, we assist with:

• Sponsor Licence Application: Guiding you through the application process and ensuring all required documents are submitted correctly. 
• Certificate of Sponsorship Assignment: Streamlining the CoS process to make hiring easier. 
• Compliance Management: Helping you stay compliant with immigration laws to avoid penalties.

If you need assistance with hiring or sponsoring Civil engineers, get in touch for personalised support.

Conclusion

Hiring and sponsoring Civil engineers under SOC Code 2121 can be a rewarding way to enrich the cultural landscape of your organisation. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully navigate the sponsorship process while ensuring compliance with UK immigration laws.

For further guidance, Borderless is ready to assist you with all your sponsorship needs. Contact us for expert advice.