The following is a guest post. Enjoy!
The Small Print
According to the Isle of Man government website, those who have been educated or have lived on the island for more than five years will have priority for employment on the island. Employers on the island may employ workers from outside the Isle of Man from the EEA, only in the event that there are no current residents who have applied and meet the requirements for the job.
But regardless of whether you’re a current resident or not, what does this tiny island have to offer career wise?
Technology Companies
Unlike traditional companies, which require a permanent establishment (PE) to conduct their business, such as a shop or hotel, technology companies are based online and therefore have a geographic spread of customers and staff. As tax systems look to the PE and ‘Management and Control’ of a company to calculate corporate tax, there is no need for technology companies to base themselves within areas of high tax jurisdiction. The Isle of Man is therefore a popular choice for technology companies to base themselves and benefit from the tax advantages.
The growing number of technology companies on the island has therefore opened up a new line of career opportunities, and as they often require specialised skill sets such as Internet marketing, SEO and programming it is not uncommon for them to look outside of the island for suitable employers.
Tourism
In 2012, the Isle of Man welcomed 294,460 visitors keen to relax in peaceful countryside, explore the island’s wildlife, from wallabies to basking sharks, dive ship wrecks, sample fresh seafood and explore the Island’s Viking ancestors. The range of outdoor, cultural, historic and annual activities has seen tourism figures increase year on year, opening up an array of career opportunities for current and prospective residents. According to government data, there is a typical demographic profile of tourists: 75% of visitors to the island are over 45 years and 70% of tourists have visited the island before.
Career paths in the Island’s tourism industry include anything from marketing to hospitality and management. So whether you want to become a diving instructor, organise events or run a b&b, there are plenty of options.
Food and Agriculture
75% of the Isle of Man’s land is used for agriculture with farmers producing around 29,085 tonnes of food each year. The majority of livestock on the island are cows (used for beef production) and sheep (used for wool as well as lamb meat). Although the Isle of Man is not in the EU, 60% of its red meat and milk is eligible for European and international trade. The islands other exports include oats, seed crops, red wheat, oilseed rape and linseed.
As most of the island’s farms are passed down through families, job opportunities in the farming sector do not come up frequently. As the island’s population is only 80,000, there is also limited opportunity for local trade. However, with the introduction of the Isle of Man Food and Drink Festival, and a growing number of excellent restaurants on the island, the food and agriculture industry does benefit from the island’s tourism. There are therefore career opportunities in the hospitality sector (restaurants).
