S'pore's most wanted workers

SINGAPORE - Personal assistants, administrative assistants, secretaries and office support staff are the most wanted employees in Singapore this year.

This is according to results of an annual talent-shortage survey released by workforce-solutions firm Manpower Singapore yesterday.

Nearly 40,000 employers in 42 countries and territories were surveyed in the first quarter of the year.

The 8th Talent Shortage Survey found that 47 per cent of employers in Singapore are experiencing difficulty finding staff with the right skills.

Global results of the survey showed that 35 per cent of employers worldwide are reporting shortages, the highest level since before the global economic crisis.

In the Asia-Pacific region, the hardest jobs to fill are those of sales representatives, followed by engineers and technicians.

Manpower said in a statement that as the education and skill profile of the local workforce improves, human-resource personnel will need to develop a successful workforce strategy.

Of the Singapore employers surveyed, 54 per cent indicated that they will re-look their work models. Meanwhile, 41 per cent said they will increase their focus on improving their talent pipeline, such as through building a succession management approach.

Despite acknowledging the impact talent shortages have on their businesses, 22 per cent of employers worldwide are not changing course to identify new ways to address these shortages.

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