In Tim Black’s company, which people usually get relocated abroad?

Woman: And today I’m talking to Tim Black, who has recently returned to the UK from working abroad. He is currently working on a report about relocation and its effect on companies and employees. Tim, what kind of people are sent abroad by their companies?
Man: Well, generally speaking, if you’re relatively senior in a company, you have a good chance, and also if you’ve worked abroad before and have shown you’re adaptable. But my company always looks particularly for people with skills which might be needed in their work overseas, and that’s how I got my chance to go.
Woman: I see, but what about the general situation? I’ve heard that fewer employees are sent abroad now than in the past. Why is that?
Man: Well, some Human Resources departments are thinking much harder about how many staff they can relocate, and companies are only taking the best candidates from the UK, while filling other positions locally. That’s because they know that relocation is expensive. They don’t always want to invest in it, which is a pity, as the experience can equip people with skills that lead to promotion.
Woman: So, what’s the position with British workers?
Man: Well, it seems that people are happier to relocate to another area of the UK rather than go to another country. It’s especially popular to go and live outside the big cities and commute in to work - although, as far as London is concerned, in the last few years, companies already based in the countryside have found it increasingly easy to attract staff away from the capital.
Woman: Mm. Now, for people considering relocation abroad, are there financial arrangements to be made before leaving?
Man: Yes. You may want to check that any health insurance you have is still valid. Oh, and one very important point is to find out what will happen to payments into your pension fund while you are abroad. You need to make sure that these will continue. Um, also, you may want to rent out your house while you’re away. It’s best to use a rental agency to do this, so that they can sort out any problems in your absence.
Woman: Now, you’ve worked abroad, in Dubai. What work was your company involved in there?
Man: We’d got a contract from an international bank there. A firm in the UK had designed an office block for them, and we went to Dubai to arrange for the purchase of the materials and to build it. I was part of the team involved in the project, in partnership with a local firm.
Woman: And how did your company help you decide whether or not to go?
Man: They made it very easy for me. They paid for me to go and see the place to decide if it would suit me. I then asked a colleague at the branch in Dubai to help me with my move there, and he was excellent. Sadly, though, the Arabic language lessons I’d requested never happened!
Woman: Oh, that’s a pity. And what about accommodation?
Man: Well, buying a house there was going to be very expensive, so another colleague offered to help me move to an apartment owned by my company, which I was very grateful for. Finding accommodation can be difficult when you first arrive.
Woman: And you stayed in Dubai for three years - quite a long time. Is that the usual length of relocation in your company?
Man: Anything over a year is considered a long-term assignment, and three years is normal for international relocations because of the cost involved. My job there was to manage the progress of our project, so it was likely to be long term. But I enjoyed the experience, and learnt a lot from it, even though it was a familiar area of work to me.
Woman: Well, Tim, thank you for talking to us.