44% of employers in Hong Kong report difficulty filling key positions
Talent shortages continue to persist as 44% of employers in Hong Kong report that they are having difficulty filling key positions according to the 5th Manpower talent shortage survey.
Hong Kong’s most difficult jobs to fill are Sales Representatives, Engineers and Management/Executive according to the survey. Once again sales employees are hardest to find, possibly because a strong sales force is a critical role in the contribution of company revenues and market competitiveness. Conversely, the battle for Customer Service & Customer Support Representatives has become more acute.
Chui continued, “It is also noteworthy that engineers will continue to be in demand upon commencement of the Government’s major infrastructure projects. Dropping from the 2010 top 10 list were Buying and Procurement Staff, while rounding out this year’s list of ‘hot in demand jobs’ are Marketing and Public Relations Staff. “The uncertain external trading environment remains difficult and, as such, this exerts pressure on the Wholesale and Manufacturing sectors which weakens employment prospects. Therefore, employers have less demand to source Buyers or Procurement staff,” explained Chui. “Aside from sales vacancies, marketing jobs are also in demand. The talent market now requires Marketing & PR professionals who have extensive experience within the same industry, product or service.” Globally, the top hardest jobs to fill are Skilled Trades, Sales Representatives, Technicians and Engineers according to the survey of more than 35,000 employers across 36 countries. Significantly, these are the same top jobs that employers have reported struggling to fill for the past four years, suggesting that there is an ongoing, systemic global shortage in these areas. In Asia Pacific, the most difficult jobs to fill are Sales Representatives.
Paul Arkwright
Publisher
