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Tag: Working abroad
The ‘Hawaii Of China’ Entices British Talent With New Tax Breaks, Health Benefits And A Salary Of Up To £275,000
South China Island, Hainan, dubbed the Hawaii of China, is looking to recruit global talent for 36,000 skilled jobs. Hainan Free Trade Port launches new campaign to recruit global talent to the South China Island.
36,000 job vacancies in tourism, the modern service industry, high tech, tropical agriculture, and other industries.
Quinten van Duin, a Dutch “Maker” and entrepreneur at Fuxingcheng in Haikou in Hainan province, introducing a smart green wall design product. This week sees the launch of a Worldwide Talent Attraction campaign by Hainan Free Trade Port to encourage English speaking talent to apply for a selection of skilled positions and relocate to the South China island. When it comes to attracting global skilled talent, the province may give Brits something to think about. Hainan is known by some as ‘the Hawaii of China’ thanks to its tropical climate, luxurious beach resorts, upmarket hotels, golf courses and luxury shopping.
In 2018, Chinese President Xi Jinping designated Hainan as China’s largest free-trade zone and introduced new subsidized housing and fast-track work visas to attract new residents. The latest incentives go much further.
These include:
- Salary of up to £275,000
- Personal income tax capped at 15%
- Medical insurance for talent and their family
- Tax benefits related to household registration, house purchase, car purchase and schooling support for children
- Access to education opportunities 38 professional qualifications examinations including architects and licensed pharmacists. At the same time a total of 219 different professional qualifications from overseas are now recognized throughout the province
Announced as China’s first blockchain testing zone, talent from the tech world have already started to make their way to Hainan to explore the application of blockchain in areas such as cross-border trade, inclusive finance and credit rating. In 2020, a large-scale Master Plan for the construction of Hainan was announced, and since then, over 260,000 people have moved to Hainan, a year-on-year increase of 391% compared to the year before.
British teacher, Alex, teaching at a Kindergarten in Haikou in Hainan province. Shen Xiaoming, Secretary of Hainan Provincial Party Committee, says: “It is now a critical period for Hainan to continue constructing the free trade port, develop the island and attract the best skilled talent from around the world. Hainan looks forward to embracing people from all cultures and offer all the support they need to succeed.”
This recruitment drive will continue until June 2022. Job seekers can call +86 4009-513-513 to ask for more information on job positions and submit CVs.
Have You Considered A Career With BAE Systems In Saudi Arabia?
When you’re considering working and living in Saudi Arabia, we appreciate that you’ll be taking all kinds of factors into account.
The anticipation of discovering a new way of life is exciting and probably prompts many questions.
BAE Systems has been present in Saudi Arabia for over 50 years.
Over that time, we have successfully relocated many employees and we would like to give you a flavour of what they’ve experienced.
Working for BAE Systems in Saudi Arabia
We operate across a number of locations and as we continue to grow, as well as focusing on developing our partner and joint venture companies, there has never been a better time to work for us in Saudi Arabia and take advantage of a great opportunity to gain experience in an international environment. This helps to broaden your future career opportunities and understanding of multi-cultural working.
BAE Systems is the UK Government’s nominated Prime Contractor under the Government-to-Government arrangements that are in place to provide equipment, support and training to Saudi Arabia. We deliver aircraft for the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF), we maintain these aircraft and we provide a safe training environment in order to train RSAF personnel in how to use their equipment, along with delivering for the Royal Saudi Naval Force (RSNF) of integrated, end-to-end English language and technical training to its Cadets.
In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we work together with local partners to develop, engineer, manufacture and support the innovations that sustain economic growth, increase defence sovereignty and safeguard commercial interests. We are committed to recruitment, development and retaining the brightest talent in our industry as we build upon our proud heritage and enjoy new successes through our partnership with Saudi Arabia as we support
the Kingdom’s plans for economic development through its vision for the future, ‘Vision 2030’.
Our Locations
Dhahran
Dhahran, on the Kingdom’s eastern seaboard, it is the operating base for Tornado IDS, a core element of its national defence capability. Ongoing opportunities for employment on the Tornado fleet include all traditional technical trade groups including Avionic, Propulsion, Electrical and Weapons specialists.
We also have opportunities in the delivery of integrated, end-to-end English language and technical training for RSNF cadets covering basic skills, sea sense, and a range of highly skilled naval technical specialities. The latest technologies and equipment are extensively deployed
throughout our training environments and academies and these include an array of smart classroom technologies, computer-based simulation and high-end emulation devices, as well as ground training aids such as fast jet aircraft (including typhoon) and ship fo’c’sle and quarterdeck and bridge trainers.
Taif
Our Customer currently operates the Typhoon jet from Taif in the west of the country with the base sitting 4,500 feet up in the mountains.
With current positions in both Forward and Depth technical areas and, with the intention to expand the fleet in the near future, there are plenty of opportunities for those looking for employment on one of the most modern and capable fast jets in the world.
Tabuk
Tabuk in the northwest of Saudi Arabia is the home of the Hawk fleet and is the country’s fast-jet trainer aircraft.
Also housed at Tabuk is the Hawk aerobatic display team, the Saudi Hawks.
Riyadh
The PC21 is based in Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia. Riyadh is located quite centrally in the Kingdom.
Our employees find working in Saudi Arabia a fantastic opportunity for an interesting and fulfilling life experience, whilst enjoying a competitive salary and benefits package.
Geographically the country is ideally situated to enable you to travel, use Saudi Arabia as a stepping stone to explore other countries. To experience this proposition, candidates will be looking to achieve one or more of the following personal aspirations:
- A fulfilling life experience and opportunity for a superb work-life balance
- Financial Advancement
- Travel and tourism opportunities from another part of the world utilising a generous leave and travel allowance
- Expand your cultural awareness
- Enhance your CV with international experience
- Have the opportunity to challenge and develop yourself in a unique environment
You will also benefit from free accommodation and utilities as well as access to extensive leisure facilities.
For more information on BAE Systems and BAE Systems in Saudi Arabia visit saudicareers.co.uk or baesystems.com
UK Completes Training Of Somali Battalion
The first battalion of the Somali National Army 8th Brigade has graduated from infantry training at the UK-supported training facility in Baidoa, the capital of Southwest State in Somalia…
Through the training provided by British military personnel, the Somali National Army (SNA) troops gained skills in offensive and defensive operations, basic command and control, checkpoints, leadership, live firing, combat first aid, the law of armed conflict, human rights and gender, among other skills that will help them conduct effective security operations in the country.
The UK through the Conflict Stability and Security Fund is also supporting Somalia to strengthen its security institutions and governance through the provision of training facilities. At the graduation ceremony, the UK handed over a military barrack that will house up to 450 Somali troops and act as the military headquarters for the 8th Brigade in South West State.
The first company of SNA troops graduated in April last year and this year’s graduating troops mark the third company to have successfully completed training in South West State. The soldiers are expected to boost the national army numbers as they battle alongside African Union forces against Al Shabaab.
Speaking during the graduation of the first UK trained battalion, the British Ambassador to Somalia, Ben Fender said: “The UK is helping to develop the core of a strong professional army that can keep Baidoa and its surrounding areas safer. We have already seen our trainees achieve vital operational successes and we are delighted to be investing for the future through the new barracks.
“The UK is supporting Somalia to strengthen its security institutions and governance to deliver effective operations. One way to do this is through the provision of crucial infrastructure. We have also supported the construction of an excellent training facility as well as a barracks and a firing range that is now able to train a new company every eight to ten weeks.”
President of Southwest state, Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed ‘Laftagareen’ said: “The new company will help the Somali National Army to conduct effective operations in the region to counter Al Shabaab.”
The Commander of British Forces in Somalia, Colonel Tony Casey said: “Today marks a special day as it is the culmination of a number of activities we have undertaken in support of Somalia’s security sector reform to help promote long-term stability and security for the benefit of all Somalis. We are excited that the new trainees will move to a new UK supported military barracks.”
Image: © Crown Copyright
Armed Forces Protected From ‘Vexatious Claims’
New laws to protect military personnel and veterans from vexatious claims and the cycle of re-investigations are being introduced today…
As part of the Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill, serving and former Armed Forces personnel will have more legal protection from prosecution for alleged historical offences resulting from overseas operations.
This new law is an important step in the Government’s ongoing commitment to provide life-long support to military personnel to whom a vast debt of gratitude is owed, and recognises the unique burden and pressures felt by military personnel during overseas conflict.
The introduction of the law follows operations in recent years giving rise to an unprecedented number of legal claims. For example, military operations in Iraq resulted in nearly 1,000 compensation claims against the Ministry of Defence for unlawful detention, personal injury and death.
There were also approximately 1,400 judicial review claims against the MOD seeking investigations and compensation for a variety of alleged human rights violations. This series of long-drawn-out investigations and litigation led to uncertainty among military personnel and others called upon to give evidence.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “For decades the men and women of our Armed Forces have been faced with the prospect of repeated investigations by inquest and police – despite the vast majority having acted in accordance with the rule of law and often at great personal risk.
“That is why the Government will today legislate to protect our veterans against repeated reinvestigations where there is no new and compelling evidence against them, and to end vexatious claims against our Armed Forces.”
Minister for Defence People and Veterans Johnny Mercer said: “Today we deliver on our promise to end the cycle of re-investigations against our Armed Forces. This package of legal measures will reduce the unique pressure faced by personnel who perform exceptional feats in incredibly difficult and complex circumstances.”
The new law will:
- Introduce a presumption that once five years have elapsed from the date of an incident, it will be exceptional for a prosecutor to determine that a service person or veteran should be prosecuted for alleged offences on operations outside the UK. The Bill will create a new ‘triple lock’ in order to give service personnel and veterans greater certainty, including obtaining the consent of the Attorney General before a prosecution can proceed
- Require the court to consider the operational context when deciding whether to extend the normal time limits for bringing civil claims for personal injury or death and for bringing claims under the Human Rights Act (HRA) in connection with overseas operations
- Introduce a longstop restricting to an absolute maximum of six years the time limit for bringing civil claims for personal injury or death and for bringing HRA claims in connection with overseas operations
- Ensure that all future governments are compelled to consider derogating from the European Convention on Human Rights in relation to significant overseas military operations
- The new law follows a consultation launched last July which heard the public’s views on new proposals
Alongside this, the Government is today setting out how we propose to address the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland in a way that focuses on reconciliation, delivers for victims, and ends the cycle of reinvestigations into the Troubles – ensuring that Northern Ireland veterans receive equal treatment to their counterparts who served overseas.
Marines Parachute ‘Deep Behind Enemy Lines’
Royal Marines have parachuted ‘deep behind enemy lines’ during demanding winter exercises in Sweden with forces from the United States Airforce…
The elite Surveillance Reconnaissance Squadron of 30 Commando Information Exploitation Group were training alongside the Americans in capturing positions from the air from an adversary, giving allied forces a foothold in enemy territory.
This is all part of the Norwegian-led Exercise Cold Response, which 15,000 troops from ten nations are involved in, including more than 2,000 Royal Marines and Royal Navy sailors. These Arctic exercises are designed to test the ability of allied nations in fighting in one of the most unforgiving regions on earth.
The elite SRS commandos and airmen from the United States Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) boarded an American C-130J Super Hercules from the 37th Airlift Wing at Bardufoss Air Station in northern Norway.
The crack force were then dropped into Kiruna Airfield in Sweden, where they were tasked with seizing the area from an enemy force. Following that the Super Hercules returned to Bardufoss to pick up the next wave of commando forces along with kit and equipment to support the mission in Sweden.
After the initial phase of the exercises, the Royal Marines of Plymouth-based 30 Commando and American forces are now undergoing battle preparation in readiness for the next stage of the combined exercise. It will see the forces travel 150km on skidoo and specialist lightweight cold weather vehicles back to Bardufoss.
On the way they will undertake various exercises, taking key positions from ‘enemy’ forces to give the overall Cold Response task forces the tactical advantage. This training is all designed to demonstrate the capability of SRS as an elite advance force, capable of wreaking havoc and forging the way for much larger forces to enter into a disputed territory.
Commandos Confront Ever-Evolving Threats
Royal Marines Commandos have deployed to northern Norway in their largest numbers for many years, underlining a continued commitment to security in the region by the UK…
Battling limited daylight and temperatures as low as -30C, more than a thousand commandos are testing new kit and themselves in the dramatic landscape of the Arctic. The Green Berets are mastering Arctic survival, movement and combat skills ahead of challenging winter exercises alongside NATO allies and partner nations, which will involve more than 15,000 troops.
Royal Navy ships are also soon moving north for the Norwegian-led exercises, called Cold Response 2020, later this month and into March. During the exercise, commandos will use their cold weather skills to carry out amphibious raids from the assembled task group of ships off the rugged Norwegian coastline.
They will work in small teams designed to covertly disrupt enemy infrastructure and their ability to fight. This is all part of amphibious combat training, in which Royal Marines will focus on their ability to attack coastlines incisively with devastating consequences to any potential foe.
“Confronting an adversary with access to modern technology means that commando forces have to deal with new challenges,” Major Jonathon Boucher Royal Marines said. “They could have the ability to deny our communications and navigation systems so our commando forces need to be able to operate autonomously, insert at range and deal the enemy a bloody nose before quickly blending back into the environment.
“Ironically, utilising technology to dominate the battlespace means that commando forces need to firstly master the ‘analogue’ skills of soldiering before tackling the digital – in the modern battlefield, a map and compass is still an essential skill when GPS systems can quickly be denied or disrupted.
“The transition to a Future Commando Force ensures that we remain at the cutting edge of warfare while firmly re-establishing our commando roots. As our time in Norway has shown, our ability to operate in any environment, in inhospitable terrain, makes us a complicated problem for our most professional of adversaries.”
Among those deployed to the high north are 45 Commando, the elite mountain and cold weather warfare specialists based in Arbroath, Scotland, who are held at high readiness to deploy anywhere in the world. 45 Commando are a potent force in the UK’s arsenal and are trained in operating in extreme climates around the world, from the searing temperatures of the deserts to the extreme humidity of the jungles of Belize.
Winter deployments to Norway have been commonplace since the Cold War, but 2020’s exercise will see land, sea and air capabilities work together to test the UK’s relationship with regional allies. The changes to the way commandos operate is reminiscent of Churchill’s deadly strike and raiding groups of the Second World War, which were raised in response to the Nazi occupation of Norway.
These raiding groups have now been re-imagined to combat new threats on the modern battlefield. The frozen Arctic landscape is the ideal proving ground to test these tactics, known as the Future Commando Force concept.
Source: Royal Navy. ©UK Ministry of Defence CROWN COPYRIGHT, 2019
Overseas Posting Experiences Survey
From July to September 2019 The RAF Families Federation ran a survey examining the experiences of RAF personnel and their families during overseas postings. They have now released the first set of results from this research…
The RAF Families Federation Survey Highlights Report draws out some of the key findings from the survey; from motivations for volunteering, to life overseas, through to return to the UK following completion of the assignment.
The findings represented in this report show that RAF Personnel and their families relish the travel opportunities and exposure to different cultures gained through living and working outside of the UK. However, a number of challenges have also been reported which will be fully examined through ongoing work and liaison with stakeholders.
This research was carried out as part of the ongoing RAF Dispersed Families Project, an initiative funded by the Chancellor using LIBOR funds. The project aims to improve understanding of RAF dispersed families, regardless of where they are located.
The survey was completed alongside stakeholder meetings and a range of in-depth interviews, with all results to be combined within a full report to be published later this year.
The report can be found on The RAF Families Federation website.
RN Pilot In Australian Bush Fires Evacuation
Royal Navy helicopter pilot Lieutenant Commander Nick Grimmer, on exchange with the Royal Australian Navy, has been flying rescue missions for the last two months helped evacuate people trapped by the bush fires in Australia…
Lt Cdr Grimmer is currently flying troop-carrying MRH90 helicopters with Australian Navy’s 808 Squadron, which specialises in disaster relief operations and has been in constant action since November aiding those whose lives have been threatened by the fires. Over the new year, Lt Cdr Grimmer’s aircraft, five aircrew and 14 engineers were called to join the amphibious ship HMAS Choules, as the bushfires spread to the south-eastern tip of Australia.
Inhabitants of the small town of Mallacoota fled to the beach when the flames could no longer be held back. While the majority were rescued by the ship, the helicopter launched to search for people cut off as well as to survey the extent of the damage. HMAS Choules carried around 1,100 people alongside 117 dogs, four cats, a parakeet and a rabbit. They were safely transported along the coast to Melbourne.
Lt Cdr Grimmer said: “Watching people – everyone from a baby of two months to an elderly lady in her 90s – get off in Melbourne, relieved, saying ‘goodbye’, ‘thank you’ and shaking everyone’s hands was very gratifying, definitely the highlight and made all our efforts seem worthwhile.”
The pilot has been flying for up to ten hours a day alongside his colleagues in the most difficult of conditions, with crews expected to make life-and-death decisions on almost every sortie. He added: “The scale of the fires are phenomenal and the devastation is truly horrific. At times it seems the entire horizon is on fire with flames up to 50 or 60 feet high.
“You have to fly low because of the visibility – then suddenly you find yourself in thick smoke and are forced to either turn back or climb rapidly to avoid running into mountains. There’s a fine line between what you can do and what is not possible, with risks being constantly re-evaluated. I’m an animal lover and seeing the impact on wildlife is heart-breaking.
“We recently winched down our aircrewman from 150 feet to a man on his porch. His wife had fled the fire a few days before. She had no idea whether he was alive or the house was standing due to no power or communications. We were able to tell her both were safe – that was a wonderful feeling.”
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “We always stand by to help our friends and allies and my thoughts are with the Australian people with whom we share a close bond. Lt Cdr Grimmer is an example of what our military do on a daily basis, putting his life at risk to save others. Flying in incredibly difficult conditions he is doing a job that takes courage, professionalism and skill, demonstrating the best of the Royal Navy.”
Lt Cdr Grimmer has been in the Royal Navy for 12 years, including spending six months in Sierra Leone as part of Britain’s efforts to halt the spread of the Ebola virus in 2014-15.
Somali Soldiers Graduate From UK Training
134 Somali National Army soldiers have graduated from a UK-led training course in Baidoa, part of the UK’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the capacity of Somali security forces…
During the graduation ceremony, held at a UK-funded training facility in Baidoa, the capital of South West State, the Somali National Army (SNA) soldiers demonstrated the combat skills that they have acquired over the past two months which will help them to deliver lasting peace and security in Somalia.
The training has equipped the soldiers with vital skills, including training in field-craft, leadership, human rights, first-aid treatment, patrolling and the delivery of defensive operations to enhance their current capabilities. The pass-out ceremony was attended by senior government officials from South West State, senior military officers and commanders from the SNA, the African Union Mission in Somalia and UK officials.
British Ambassador to Somalia, Ben Fender said: “Congratulations to you all on successfully completing this important training. We hope the new skills you have learnt will be of great benefit to you as you join other men and women on the frontline to support long-term security in Somalia. The UK is committed to helping build the capacity of the Somali National Army so that you will eventually be able to assume full responsibility for the nation’s security.”
The Commander of British Forces in Somalia, Colonel JL Baynham, said: “Today is an important day for this joint Somali and British project and I congratulate all those who have made this possible and in particular, the 134 soldiers who stand before us today on this parade. It is their professionalism and dedication that has made this possible and it is they who will help ensure the Somali people will experience peace and prosperity in the years to come.”
In attendance was the South West President, Abdiaziz Hassan ‘Laftagareen’ who thanked the UK for the ongoing support to the SNA. He said: “I urge all of you to work hard and protect our country, please implement the lessons you have learnt during the training and pass on the knowledge to your colleagues. I would also like to thank the UK government for providing support to the Somali people.”
The commander of the SNA in Baidoa, Brigadier General Osman was also present and thanked the UK government and Commander Baynham for his dedication in ensuring a training centre is established. The UK is supporting efforts to build the capacity and capability of Somalia’s security forces, ahead of transition to Somali-led security.
Since January 2017, the UK has delivered training to over 900 SNA soldiers. The training has focused on medical skills, leadership development, equipment care, logistics and the rule of law.