Creative industry gets creative

Singapore - Even as the creative industry is still looking to recruit about 300 positions, many in the gaming industry say they are still looking for those who have the big idea.  

Jobs currently in demand include arts managers, media sales and game designers, said Acting Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong at last Saturday's Creative Industries Career Fair.

The government has put in place a new umbrella programme, the Professional Skills Programme, for professionals, managers, executives and technicians. Eight new conversion and upgrading programmes will also be launched to provide some 400 training and apprenticeship opportunities over the next year to enable those looking to pursue a career in these industries. 

Having spoken to several gaming companies, Steven Pang, regional Asia director of Aquent, says while companies are looking to hire, many are also looking at ways to lower the cost of production.

According to Pang, the gaming industries' general strategy is to shift job functions such as coding to low-cost areas such as China and Vietnam while employing workers in Singapore to oversee the overall strategy or come up with new gaming concepts. 

However, gaming companies still face challenges in "finding people who can come up with the next big idea," says Pang. On top of that, as a result of gaming piracy, more companies are looking at ways of making revenue through the online platforms. Hence, another recruitment challenge is to find people who can work on an online platform effectively as well, adds Pang.