SDS: Recruitment Agency
specialising in recruitment services for japanese speaking job seekers in Singapore

Foreign employment falls while more jobs and higher wages continue for Singaporeans

Skilled staff in high demand

63,900 job vacancies were recorded in June, nearly 12,ooo more than one year ago (MOM), reported The Straits Times newspaper last week.

On the other hand, shortage of mid-level skilled staff in some sectors was highlighted in the article. Those positions such as engineers, nurses and crane operators, used to be filled by foreigners with relevant skills.

Increasing tighter rules on hiring foreigners have been making companies to turn to local workers.

Such positions in high demand are nurse (average monthly salary S$1,500-4,000), process technician (S$1,500-3,000), automation engineer (S$3,800-6,000), quantity surveyor (S$2,500-3,500), construction supervisor (S$5,000-8,000), crane operator (S$1,800-7,000) and so on. (Please refer to the photo attached in this newsletter)

Mr. David Leong, managing director of recruitment firm PeopleWorldwide says that employers are finding it hard to hire local workers as many do not have the technical skills required.

"Engineering has lost its shine, with people choosing the finance and service industries instead. A lot of good engineers end up selling property or insurance," he adds.

How to solve the lack of skilled workers – this is going to be the next key challenge in the labour market in Singapore.