Switching from working holiday visa to work permit

[paantu1]

Hello,
I am an Australian in the UK on the working holidaymaker visa, which is due to expire at the end of July. I've got a great job with a company that wants to keep me and is prepared to apply for a work permit for me. After doing some research on the home office website, I've found my job is not on the shortage list of occupations. Is it still possible to switch to the work permit? I've been told a possible loop hole is to leave the country at the time of application. Can anyone shed any further light on this?
Many thanks,
Patricia.

[sakura]

Why is that a loophole?

You can apply for the work permit (it isn't only for jobs on the shortage occupation list) and see if it is granted - your company would need to advertise the post and explain that there is no one with current working rights (e.g. UK/EEA nationals or other people with work visas) who can do the job. They can't just give you the post and apply for the work permit.

You would have to leave the country to apply for the visa (FLR), though, as you cannot switch in-country.