Scotland's Displaced Workers Scheme is helping employers recruit international workers who are already in the UK and find themselves without sponsored employment.
The Scottish Government says the £500,000 scheme is mitigating the loss of international recruitment caused by changes to the UK immigration system.
Following positive feedback from providers, the scheme is reopening to providers.
First Minister John Swinney visited health and social care charity Quarriers, where he met internationally recruited social care employees.
He said: “I have heard how our Displaced Workers Scheme is enabling more people to continue to build lives and livelihoods in a welcoming and open Scotland. It signals the type of country we are working to create - one with kindness and fairness at its heart - and ensures we can continue making a difference in the lives of our most vulnerable.
“We have already received 138 expressions of interest in the scheme, with positions expected to be filled over this month and next. But we want many more employers and workers to benefit, so we are reopening the fund and I would urge all eligible social care providers to express an interest in applying.
“This innovative scheme is just one example of how we are increasing capacity and relieving pressure within our health and social care system. This kind of delivery is what the people of Scotland can expect from the government’s Budget for 2026-27, which the Finance Secretary will set out tomorrow. The Scottish Budget will be firmly focused on my priorities: delivering strong and sustainable public services, growing the economy and supporting families.”
Alastair Dickson, Director of People and Wellbeing at Quarriers, said: “We were pleased to welcome the First Minister to our service in Cowdenbeath to meet international care workers and hear directly about their significant contribution to Quarriers. As an employer sponsor, this aligns with our priorities of investment, innovation, and inclusion to strengthen services and support a stable workforce.
“Quarriers is grateful for support through the Displaced Worker Scheme. It is a practical, targeted measure that helps employers like us meet the additional costs of recruiting workers who are already in the UK but have lost sponsorship through no fault of their own. This helps protect continuity of care and workforce capacity.”
