Online hiring outlook remains positive for IT sector

• Singapore grew 13% year-on-year in May, while Malaysia saw a 9% year-on-year growth
• Singapore saw the strongest demand for IT professionals, at 13% year-on-year growth

ONLINE recruitment sentiment in Southeast Asia’s IT industry continues to grow on a healthy trajectory despite global headwinds.

According to the latest Monster Employment Index (MEI), Singapore, Malaysia and Philippines witnessed double-digit positive annual growth in online hiring in the IT, Telecom/ ISP and BPO/ITES sector in May.

The MEI is a monthly gauge of online hiring activity monitored by Monster.com, recording industries and occupations that show the highest and lowest growth in online hiring, including specific data points from the IT and Telecom sectors.

Philippines reported a 23% year-on-year annual growth during May 2016 to 2017, the highest growth witnessed amongst all three markets.

Singapore witnessed a 13% year-on-year growth in May, a 2% drop from 15% year-on-year growth reported in April, while Malaysia saw a 9% year-on-year growth.

In line with hiring trends in the IT space, demand for software, hardware and telecom talent remained relatively stable, where Singapore and Philippines exhibited positive hiring sentiment.

Singapore saw the strongest demand for these professionals, at 13% year-on-year growth. However, this is a 5% decline from the 18% growth reported between April 2016 and 2017.

Malaysia saw a 4% year-on-year decline in demand for this talent. This is an 11% drop from the 7% year-on-year growth reported in April.

The Philippines reported 10% year-on-year growth in online hiring, a 5% jump from the 5% year-on-year growth reported in April.

“Despite a positive hiring outlook, there is a growing sense of job insecurity amongst tech professionals. This is particularly evident in the IT/ITES industry, where automation and changing business models have left most professionals distressing about redundancy. No doubt this has put the spotlight on upskilling,” said Monster.com – APAC and Middle East managing director Sanjay Modi.

“While some traditional jobs in this sector may cease to exist, delivery, innovation and design will grow faster than conventional executive jobs, as companies will pivot even more around customer expectations. Having said that, it will be key for talent acquisition leaders across organisations to lead by example and promote a strong culture of learning, innovation and agility.”

The Monster Employment Index is a monthly gauge of online job posting activity, based on a real-time review of millions of employer job opportunities culled from a large representative selection of career websites and online job listings across Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines.

The Index does not reflect the trend of any one advertiser or source, but is an aggregate measure of the change in job listings across the industry.

Singapore highlights

• Monster Employment Index Singapore registers a 2% decline in online recruitment activity, year-on-year.
• IT, telecom/ISP and BPO/ITES sector leads among industry groups; whereas, consumer goods/ FMCG, food & packaged food, home appliance, garments/ textiles/ leather, gems & jewellery declines the most on annual basis.
• Among job roles, software, hardware, telecom professionals witness the most-notable growth in demand.

Philippines highlights

• Monster Employment Index Philippines charted annual growth of 12% in May 2017.
• BPO/ITES leads online hiring activity among industry sectors; whereas, engineering, construction and real estate registers the steepest decline on-the-year.
• Among job-roles, customer service professionals were most in-demand on an annual basis.

Malaysia highlights

• Monster Employment Index Malaysia eases 14% from the year-ago level.
• Oil and Gas records the steepest growth among industry sectors. Retail exhibits the steepest decline.
• Sales & business development professionals witness the most-notable demand on-the-year.

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