Digital talent still in high demand

Singapore - Talent from the digital realm is still in high demand, according to Aquent which has released the 5^th edition of its APAC salary survey.

The survey focuses on hiring trends in the marketing communications in 18 Asian cities, and over eight countries such as Australia, China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Taiwan and Singapore. It was conducted early this year from late January to mid March hence the effects of the current economic downturn was not reflected and taken into account in its published report - ‘The Aquent Orange Book'. However during the press conference this morning, Aquent did comment and made several statements on what it felt on the current crisis.

"New and innovative digital and communication technologies have revolutionised the creative industry. There is still a demand for people in the digital media arena," Steven Pang, Aquent's regional director, said.

This, it attributes to a change in consumer behaviour where the embracement of new technology is lauded. However, due to the shortage of overseas scholars, graduates and skilled talent in this arena, James Koh, local director of Aquent, said there is a possibility "marketers might have to hire from US or Europe as there is a shortage here and they generally see Singapore as a relatively more stable safe haven as compared to their domestic market".

Many marketers have also commented that they are implementing hiring freezes and are intending to hold off hiring during the recession and simply taking on a 'wait and see' approach.

The majority of workers in Singapore have been with the same employer usually for less than two years (66%) - surpassing countries like China, Taiwan and Hong Kong, while New Zealand and Australia clock a high of 61% and 51 percent respectively.

In addition, companies now are also more willing to hire freelance, temporary or contract employees, with the highest percentage of employers willing to hire in the short term in South Korea at 55% compared to Singapore at 46% and Hong Kong at a low of 32%.