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Sivakumar Rajamanickam
Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme
Name: Sivakumar Rajamanickam
Age: 30
Born: Madras (now Chennai), India
Lived in Scotland: Since September 2003
Siva Rajamanickam already had three degrees when he arrived in Scotland in 2003 from India to study for a fourth - an MBA at Napier University in Edinburgh.
Born in Madras, now known as Chennai, Siva (30) graduated with a Mechanical Engineering degree from the university there and then with a post graduate degree in Marine Engineering at the Marine Engineering and Research Institute in Mumbai in 1998. He went on to take a Masters degree in Human Resource Management at Pondicherry University in 2001.
When he qualified with his MBA from Napier in July last year, Siva received assistance from the Fresh Talent Working in Scotland Scheme to obtain a two-year visa so that he could work in Scotland.
"I was also very grateful to the scheme for helping me to apply for a work permit which was of great advantage in finding a job," he said.
"Before it was introduced, most students who took a degree in Scotland had to leave once they were qualified as obtaining a job was very hard.
"Now, because of Fresh Talent, we get a two year work permit visa which helps us get a job more easily."
Siva lost no time in finding a job and now works for Lloyds TSB Registrars in Financial Operations in Edinburgh. His ambition is to remain living and working in Scotland, advance his career and contribute to the economic growth of the country.
"Scotland is lovely and I particularly like Edinburgh, where I live," he said. "The city is very historical and I want to make it my home.
"I will be going back to the Fresh Talent scheme to ask for further advice in how to extend my work permit and eventually to obtain permanent residence in Scotland.
"I like the working culture here and the people are really helpful and friendly.
"My ambition is to have a strong career here and to contribute to the growth and development of the country."
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