Welcome to Mobility Minute, a newsletter published every Friday byWorldwide ERC®for the benefit of members and the global mobility and relocation industry. Here’s a quick glimpse of what you’ll find in this week’s issue:
Hong Kong’s New Visa Program Attracts Global Talent
A Guide to Creating a Successful Global Mobility Internship Program
What’s in Store for the 2023 Global Workforce Symposium?
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Hong Kong’s New Visa Program Attracts Global Talent
Hong Kong’s chief executive, John Lee, introduced the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) in October 2022 as a strategy to counter the departure of highly skilled professionals from the city. The program targets high-earning candidates and graduates from top universities worldwide, allowing them to work or explore opportunities in Hong Kong for up to two years. The aim is to strengthen Hong Kong’s status as an international financial hub. To combat an aging population and the loss of talented individuals, the government has approved more than 33,000 TTPS visa applications by mid-April. This provides hope that Hong Kong can sustain its economic power and secure a prosperous future for its people.
Why is this important?
Hong Kong’s Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) faces tough competition from Singapore’s five-year work visa program in attracting and retaining top talent in the region. TTPS, known for its flexibility and accessibility without requiring employer sponsorship upfront, is expected to be popular among skilled professionals seeking opportunities in Hong Kong. This evolving landscape in the Asia-Pacific region provides multinational corporations with a wider range of options, allowing them to strategically navigate the market and choose visa schemes that align with their global operations and expansion plans.
A Guide to Creating a Successful Global Mobility Internship Program
Global mobility teams are reshaping internship programs to attract and engage talented college students and graduates. These programs serve as strategic tools to foster the growth of ambitious individuals who can bring fresh perspectives. However, the global mobility industry faces unique challenges in recruiting and developing young talent due to its multifaceted nature. To overcome this, internship programs should be carefully designed to help interns understand their roles within the larger context and encourage them to pursue full-time positions. Organizations planning to launch internship programs, including remote versions, should consider these factors.
Why is this important?
Establishing a global mobility internship program is a valuable investment in both your company’s success and the potential of young talent. By adhering to Fair Labor Standards Act guidelines and designing well-structured internship programs, you can reap the benefits of integrating these promising team members. Through thorough preparation, continuous improvement, and organizational commitment, both your global mobility program and future interns will thrive.
What’s in Store for the 2023 Global Workforce Symposium?
Although we’re still a few months away, Worldwide ERC® is already hard at work preparing for this year’s Global Workforce Symposium (GWS). Taking place in Boston, Massachusetts, 17-20 October, GWS is the only event that brings the entire global mobility community together as one industry, allowing mobility professionals to learn more and connect with relocation experts from around the world.
This year’s theme, “Elevating Expectations,” reflects our goal to redesign the GWS experience to provide more networking opportunities and increase value for our attendees. This includes several new ways to connect with the broader mobility community throughout the conference.
Canada is expanding the list of countries whose residents are eligible to visit this country without a travel visa. People traveling by air from Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Costa Rica, Morocco, Panama, Philippines, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, and Uruguay can now do so for up to six months without a visa. — CTV News
Brazil’s President Lula’s administration is finalizing a proposal for a regulated cap-and-trade system, in contrast to the approach of his predecessor Bolsonaro, who relied on the private sector for a carbon market that never materialized. The proposed system would establish emission caps for industries and allow companies to offset excess pollution by purchasing allowances from those with lower emissions, gradually reducing emissions over time. — The Wall Street Journal
Singapore’s rental market heavily favors landlords, with tenants facing challenges such as intense competition, substantial rent increases, and last-minute contract cancellations. Escalating rents have become a prominent issue of social concern, as the country’s reputation as a low-tax haven has attracted wealthy individuals, particularly from China, causing flats renting for S$3,000 ($2,200) per month to quickly disappear from the central districts. — Bloomberg
Labor slowdowns at West Coast port terminals have led to increasing disruptions in the supply chain, affecting trucks, rails, and ocean carriers, as evidenced by the rising number of vessels waiting at anchorage in the Port of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The situation has escalated to the point where docked vessels at APL Terminals in LA are now staying for up to nine days. — CNBC
The Roundup
2023 Global Workforce Symposium Call for Proposals – Worldwide ERC is actively looking for speakers willing to present our audience with relevant information on a variety of topics at GWS, held this year in Boston on 17-20 October.Learn more and submit.
Apply to serve as a 2024 Worldwide ERC® Board member –We are seeking members with leadership experience, industry knowledge, and volunteer commitment to apply for the board. Learn more.
Apply to serve on the 2024 Foundation Board of Trustees – We are seeking three trustees with leadership and/or foundation experience, industry knowledge, and volunteer commitment to apply for a trustee position. Learn more.
Worldwide ERC® Regional Summits –Worldwide ERCreturns to international events, gathering mobility professionals in both Singapore and Brazil this September. Registration is now open for the following regional summits:
Looking for an open position or hiring for a mobility-related role? Visit Worldwide ERC’s Career Center to view or promote current openings.
The Breakroom
When it comes to airport arrivals, there are early birds and those who cut it close. However, to avoid missing your flight, it’s recommended to side with the early birds and arrive ahead of time, along with tips to expedite your journey if you’re running late.
For domestic flights, the recommended arrival time varies based on factors like airport size, online check-in, and security benefits, with additional time needed during peak travel periods. For international flights, airlines generally suggest arriving at least three hours in advance due to earlier boarding and larger aircraft capacities, but this time frame can be shortened with online check-in, no checked bags, and programs like TSA PreCheck.
To streamline your airport experience, checking in online and utilizing self-tagged drop-off areas for baggage can help avoid long lines. Consider enrolling in TSA PreCheck or Global Entry for expedited security screening, allowing approved members to bypass certain procedures, such as removing laptops or liquids from bags or taking off shoes and jackets, at a cost of $85 for a five-year membership, which includes a background check and interview.
Worldwide ERC®, 2001 K Street NW, 3rd Floor North, Washington, DC 20006, United States, 1-703-842-3400
