Manpower Employment Outlook Survey: Q4 2013

SINGAPORE, (11 Sept 2013) – According to the latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey results released today by Manpower Singapore, results show that employers intend to add to their  payrolls in quarter 4 2013, with Singaporean employers reporting a seasonally adjusted Net Employment Outlook of +20%. Hiring intentions has improved slightly by 6 and 2 percentage points from 3Q 2013 and 4Q 2012, respectively.

“Employability skills remain a challenge. Many acknowledge that there is an abundance of talents, but many of them lack the soft skills that are increasingly necessary as Singapore becomes even more interconnected to the global marketplace.” Says Linda Teo, Country Manager of Manpower Singapore.

Singaporean employers report steady hiring plans for the 4th quarter where 25% of employers expecting to increase staffing levels, 4% anticipating a decrease and 65% forecasting no change. “The forecast for the Singapore economy has been positive and companies have been encouraged to increase the productivity within organizations using technology. With our experience, we have been working closely with organizations to find the right talents,” said Ms. Linda Teo, Country Manager of Manpower Singapore.

Employers forecast an increase in payrolls in all seven industry sectors during quarter 4 2013. Hiring prospects are likely to be strongest in the Public Admin and Education sector, with a Net Employment Outlook of +36%, and in the Finance, Insurance & Real Estate sector, where the Outlook is +34%. Employers expect a steady hiring pace in both the Manufacturing and the Services sector, with Outlooks both at +16%, and in the Wholesale Trade & Retail Trade sector, with an Outlook of +18%.

When compared with the previous quarter, employers report Outlook improves in five of the seven industry sectors. The Services sector Outlook dips slightly, while employers in the wholesale trade and retail trade sector report a 3 percentage point decline. Most noteworthy is Finance, Insurance & Real Estate sector where they improve by 22 percentage points

Hiring Prospects mixed across the Asia Pacific region

Positive forecasts are reported throughout the Asia Pacific region, with hiring plans growing stronger in three countries quarter-over-quarter but declining in two. In a year-over-year comparison, Outlooks improve in five countries and territories but weaken in the remaining three. The most optimistic Net Employment Outlooks are reported in India, Taiwan and Singapore. Meanwhile, the Outlook in Australia continues to trend softer, declining to its weakest level in more than four years.

Opportunities for job seekers continue to be bright in Taiwan. Employers are exceedingly optimistic across all industry sectors. Outlooks are positive and improve in five of six industry sectors year-over-year with hiring opportunities growing considerably in the Finance, Insurance & Real Estate and the Mining & Construction sectors compared to last year at this time. Hiring intentions also remain positive in Japan where Outlooks improve by varying degrees in all industry sectors compared to year-ago levels.

The next Manpower Employment Outlook Survey will be released on 10 December 2013 to report hiring expectations for the first quarter of 2014. The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey is available free of charge to the public through their local Manpower representative in participating countries. To receive e-mail notification when the survey is available each quarter, interested individuals are invited to complete an online subscription form at: http://investor.manpower.com/investors/alerts.cfm.

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Commentary is based on seasonally adjusted data where available. Full survey results and all charts and tables for each of the 42 countries and territories included in this quarter’s survey, plus regional and global comparisons, can be found in the ManpowerGroup Press Room at www.manpowergroup.com/meos. In addition, all tables and graphs from the full report are available to be downloaded for use in publication or broadcast from the ManpowerGroup Web site.