In the latest ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey of 505 Singapore employers, 39% expect to increase their staffing levels, 25% anticipate a decrease and 35% do not anticipate any change, resulting in a seasonally adjusted Net Employment Outlook of +14%. 

“The boost in hiring outlook reflects employers’ confidence in achieving a post-pandemic recovery. Companies are expecting to scale up their hiring activity in the next three months to fill newly created roles to support their digital transformation.” said Ms Linda Teo, Country Manager ManpowerGroup Singapore. 

A positive global hiring outlook with digital roles in demand

The strongest labour market is anticipated for these key sectors: Banking, Finance, Insurance and Real Estate sector (+28%), followed by Primary Production (+27%*) and the IT, Technology, Telecoms, Communications and Media(+26%).

Singapore is not alone.  36 of the 40 countries report higher intentions than the previous quarter. Employers globally expect a robust labor market in the first quarter of 2022, reporting a seasonally adjusted, Net Employment Outlook of +37%. Hiring intentions strengthen both year-over-year and quarter-over-quarter, +31% and +13%, respectively.

With strong outlooks across the regions, employers in North America (+41) reported the most positive outlook followed by South and Central America (+39%), APAC (+34%) and EMEA (+28%).

In terms of top skills in demand, digital roles take the lead globally: IT, Technology, Telecoms, Communications and Media reported the strongest outlook (+50%), followed by Banking, Finance, Insurance and Real Estate (+43%) and Restaurants and Hotels (+40%). 

Additionally, these economies also prepare for a return to workplace plan for some or all of its workforce. 

Global businesses work on return to office plan

In Singapore, 74% of employers are mandating vaccines for some or all employees. Globally, nearly two-thirds of employers are mandating vaccines in some way for their employees to return to the workplace. Some employers are even incentivising their employees to encourage them to get vaccinated and plan a safe return to the workplace:  34% in South / Central America, 40% in Asia Pacific, and 37% in North America. 

While employers chart a return-to-office plan, especially in sectors like production, construction, and hospitality, more and more employers are embracing the blend of work and home, as well. Even in Frontline, Customer Service & Manufacturing, employers are recognizing the need for hybrid work.