Tech, AI drive changes in search for talent in Singapore

By 2030, the skills needed for a job will change dramatically due to AI.

Singaporeans experience a massive shift in demands for job skills as businesses give more emphasis on technology and AI, according to a report by LinkedIn.

In a recent report, LinkedIn said skills needed for a job in the city-state will change by a whopping 72% by 2030 as a result of greater AI adoption among businesses. To keep up with the trend, the report revealed 92% of businesses are planning to focus on improving employees’ skills this year, while nearly half are looking to provide online training and development programs.

The majority of companies (94%) observed that the skills and qualifications prioritised in job candidates had significantly changed due to AI and automation, placing more emphasis on applicants with expertise in AI, soft skills, and the capacity to learn.

LinkedIn found that the top five skills preferred by hiring managers in Singapore were a combination of hard and soft skills, namely problem-solving abilities (34%); critical thinking (28%); communications skills (24%); IT and web skills (20%); and leadership and talent management (20%).

“We are now witnessing a pronounced shift towards skills – both technical and soft skills – to thrive in the era of AI,” Feon Ang, vice president, talent solutions and managing director for APAC at LinkedIn said. “Investing in people’s growth is no longer a perk but a strategic imperative, considering that our workforce is the driving force behind companies’ success in an era shaped by both AI innovation and collaboration with AI.”

More than half of employers in the city-state marked career progression opportunities as their top priority for attracting and retaining top talent this year, with 36% of hiring managers in agreement.

Employers also believed that increasing internal mobility (54%) and highlighting opportunities for career advancement (39%) were key factors in attracting talent.