Fewer job vacancies in 2015, but still more than number of jobseekers: MOM

SINGAPORE - The number of job vacancies last year declined over the year, though there were still more openings than job seekers.

In its latest Job Vacancies 2015 report released on Wednesday (Feb 3), the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) revealed that the number of job vacancies in Sep 2015 had fallen to 60,000 amid softer economic conditions.

This is more than 7,000 fewer than the high of 67,400 openings recorded in Sep 2014, and the third consecutive quarter in which the number of openings has fallen.

In the period between July and September, there were 116 job openings per 100 job seekers, which is a lower ratio than 121 and 143 in the two previous quarters.

While the decline in vacancies was broad-based for all occupational groups, MOM said that openings were still available for all occupations.

Of these openings, four out of 10 were for professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs), such as teachers, management executives, commercial and marketing sales executives and software developers.

Service and sales workers, such as waiters, security guards and shop assistants, remained the most sought after group, accounting for 12,270, or 23 per cent, of all vacancies.

MOM also said that the proportion of vacancies that went unfilled for six months or more has decreased from 41 per cent a year ago to 39 per cent.

Positions such as cleaners and labourers remained more difficult to fill due to factors like unattractive pay, long working hours and the physically strenuous job nature.

On the other hand, only about two in every ten PMET openings went unfilled for an extended period.

MOM said that companies need to improve the quality and attractiveness of their jobs to fill up vacancies faster, whereas jobseekers should make themselves more employable and adaptable.

"MOM will continue working with tripartite partners to strengthen the Singaporean core in the workforce by creating more quality jobs to meet with rising career aspirations of Singaporeans," the ministry said.

seanyap@sph.com.sg