Tag: market insights

2025 Southeast Asia Market Insights & Salary Trends Report
Our 2025 Salary Guide provides the latest salary benchmarks and hiring trends for key functions, including Accounting & Finance, Human Resources, Legal & Compliance, Sales & Marketing, Supply Chain, and more, across various industries.

This comprehensive guide serves as a strategic tool for both employers building their workforce and individuals navigating their career paths. It offers valuable insights into the evolving employment landscape in Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

What’s Included:
- Essential information: Understand the relevant skills requirements and labor market dynamics crucial for hiring and retaining top talent in your field.
- In-depth salary data: Gain a comprehensive view of salaries across regions, industries, skillsets, experience levels, and more.
- Valuable industry insights: Enhance your knowledge of market trends and key highlights.
Download The Guide

Submit your information below to receive your free copy of the CGP 2025 Southeast Asia Market Insights & Salary Trends Report.
January 24, 2025

Why Do You Need To Work In The Healthcare Sector? Here Are The Top Reasons

Healthcare is a staple industry all over the world and in developed nations, a core industry underlining a healthy future. In Singapore, the healthcare industry has received increasing attention from both public and private sectors especially in the last decade, resulting in the rapid development of the industry.

Singapore’s healthcare industry is well regarded as one of the best in the world due to a combination of factors, such as:

Strong regulatory governance,
Good blend of public and private healthcare infrastructure, and
A comprehensive, cost-sharing medical health insurance system.

With Healthcare being one of the major industries pulsating Singapore, what could potential job seekers expect if they choose to join this industry?

Stable Job & Career Growth Opportunity

The Healthcare sector in Singapore has continued to grow from 2012 to 2022, and currently employs around 150K talents (clinical and non-clinical), of which close to 100K are working in public healthcare. What this means to potential job seekers is the availability of jobs on both sides of the fence which guarantees good career development /pathing opportunities.

This is set to become even better moving ahead as Singapore further develops its healthcare industry – the Ministry of Health has recently announced a 10-year development plan to create a “Healthier Singapore” – and job seekers in both clinical and corporate functions can expect more robust career and growth opportunities in this sector.

Some of the highlights include more and more opportunities for mental health and finance professionals and experts, as the Singapore government looks at developing more mental health facilities and more value-driven, cost-effective financing options for the public.

With pandemic bringing to the forefront the importance of healthcare workers, coulped with Singapore’s newest Healthier SG plans, the industry is expected to undergo drastic changes in hiring practices and offer the diversity of positions.

A Plethora of Career Development Options

As the industry continues to grow and develop, new job functions and vacancies are created every year. For healthcare talents this means no matter where they start in the field, they have a variety of options to pick from when pursuing their careers. They could even change paths a few times before charting a final career pursuit, without losing any pre-existing respect in their field.

Both clinical and corporate healthcare professionals can leverage training mechanisms made available by their employer or through reskilling courses subsidised by the Singapore government when making a career transition.

Apply for Healthcare & Clinical Jobs Here »

Competitive Total Rewards

Clinical professionals in Singapore are among the best remunerated in Asia, in addition to receiving structured professional skill development training that will see them progressing steadily upwards in their careers. Mid-career switch opportunities are also readily available for clinical professionals wanting to make a transition into corporate functions. Some of these job opportunities include Quality Development, Program Management, Training & Development, etc.

Corporate function professionals in healthcare (Finance, Healthcare, Information Technology, etc.) are also in demand – this is in tandem with the continued growth of the sector warranting new job creation, especially in cutting-edge technology (Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning) for the advancement of care provision, and corporate shared services (human resource, finance) for improved cost efficiency.

In summary, jobseekers could expect a comprehensive base salary in addition to attractive fixed and performance-based bonuses and perks when joining the Healthcare industry. Click here to download full report on salary trends.

Value-Driven Work

Healthcare is fundamentally about extending and saving lives – and this remains one of the most rewarding aspects of holding a job in this industry. While the industry generally offers competitive total rewards and career development plans – healthcare professionals identify most with the fact that they go to bed each day having improved a patient’s quality of life.

For someone compassionate to help and give back to society – joining the healthcare industry means you will be doing this day in and out while making a pretty good living. Regardless of your chosen vocation – corporate or clinical – you will be helping patients all the same to get the care that they need. Very few other industries could afford the value-driven work whilst paying competitive salaries and rewards.

In-Demand Roles In The Healthcare Sector

Currently, there are several clinical and non-clinical roles in demand in the Healthcare industry, such as:

Nursing & Allied Health: Nursing Manager to Directors, Nurse Clinician, Radiographer, Psychologist, Radiologist
Corporate Positions: Human Resources, Accounting & Finance, Information Technology, Transformation & Project Management, Quality Management, Operations

To find out more insights into hiring trends in the Healthcare industry, get in touch with our Healthcare and Clinical recruitment team now!

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References:

September 8, 2023

The Future Of Work: Preparing For The Changing Landscape Of Employment
The world is changing, and so is the way we work. Trends like, artificial intelligence and automation are the stimuli that have spurred a transformation in the work landscape.

When you think of the future of work, what do you see? Robots in place of human resources? Office setups are entirely different from today, or the absence of physical offices due to adopting remote work?

While it is impossible to predict the future of work, it is visible that the employment landscape is changing rapidly. Therefore, there is a need for human resources to prepare themselves and adapt to the transition. Presently, the focus is placed on technology in the future of work discussions. However, other factors such as remote work, workplace diversity, and the gig economy also shape the future of work.

Looking ahead and preparing for the changing world of work can help you maintain a work-life balance.

So, let’s take a closer look at the tips to prepare you for it.

#1. Create a professional development plan

“Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now.”- Alexander Graham Bell.

Outline your goals and map the route you must take to achieve them. This will allow you to clearly understand your expectations & desires, assess your skills, determine your success route, focus on essential activities, and strategise accordingly.

Follow the SMART goals rule:

S– Specific

M– Measurable

A– Achievable

R– Relevant

T– Time-based

#2. Evaluate your skills

Most importantly, for quick adaptation to the future of work, don’t wait. Take control of your profile and strengthen it by working on the weak areas. To make it happen, you must evaluate your skills and identify the areas you lack. As a result, you will be in a better position to work on yourself and add to the skills bucket. Pay careful attention to the skills you lack for your industry, as that will help you choose the right training or mentorship program.

#3. Explore the redesigning of learning

The definition of a skilled candidate has changed and is no longer restricted to just micro-learning. Simply put, you must lean into macro-learning to level up and prepare yourself technically and professionally.

While micro-learning refers to learning small chunks of a larger topic, macro-learning is learning complex skills. Therefore, your professional development plan must include your macro-learning plans.

#4. Capitalise on next-gen technology

Changing times demand embracing new, disruptive technologies to prepare for the challenges. The candidates who will be counted among the top talent are the ones who are using technology to prepare for the future of work today. Stay updated on the latest technologies that are impacting the marketplace and leave no stone unturned in leveraging their potential.

#5. Tap into your passion and become an expert

Turn your passion into a profession, and work won’t feel like work. Present-day organisations are looking for candidates who are specialists, and the trend will stay forever. So explore your talent and areas of interest that you can take in the future workplace. In other words, plan to dig deep into your passions and take on a specialised role.

#6. Work on your emotional intelligence

A majority of people seek answers to the question: How can I prepare myself for the future of work?

Well! Apart from working on technical aspects, you must also work on skills that fall under emotional intelligence. And they are self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills. Most importantly, you must strive to become a better human and a leader. The skills will get you closer to your team and help you collaborate with colleagues. Moreover, AI and automation can never outsmart the leadership skills a human possesses.

RELATED READ: The Importance of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership

Trends for the Future of Work

The current year and the years ahead are set to see the changed work landscape. Here, we mention the most vital trends you must foresee to handle workplace diversity and changing work environments.
- - Quiet hiring
  - Flexibility for frontline workers
  - Focus on skills rather than candidates’ prior experience
  - Focus on employee well-being
  - Continuous boosting of DEI efforts
RELATED READ: Diversity and Inclusion in HR: Current Trends and Future Directions

Final Comments

A competitive talent landscape and pressure to reduce costs pose challenges for organisations. Given that, companies must start putting the right people in the right place and turn the challenges into opportunities. In addition, enabling a workplace to foster innovation and be inclusive requires leaders to strategize how work gets done.

You must take charge of your future and upskill yourself to better prepare for the upcoming changes. Whether you are an accounts executive or a data scientist, one thing remains constant: continuous learning & development, reskilling, and upskilling bring job security.

FAQs

1. What are the future trends in the workplace?

The future trends in the workplace are:
- - Flexible hours/four-day working
  - Prioritisation of well-being
  - Focus on skills over jobs
  - The emphasis on soft skills
  - Increased diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts
  - Use of AI and automation
  - Transformation of HR using tech and data
  - Focus on employee growth
2. What are your suggestions for the future of work at the organization?

The world of work is changing rapidly. Therefore, employers and employees need to be on their toes to adapt to the changing scenario. While employers must plan accordingly to manage the effects of the future of work, employees must focus on upskilling themselves to stay ahead of the curve.

3. How will the future of work change?

With the advent of AI and automation, the future of work is changing. However, various other trends will bring about a change in the future of work. For instance, hybrid flexibility will allow frontline workers flexibility, such as what they work, with whom they work, and how they work. Continuous support for DEI initiatives, sensitive offboarding, emphasis on continued employee growth, focus on skills over jobs, and prioritisation of employee well-being are among the other changes that will define the future of work.
July 28, 2023
The Future Of HR: Predictions And Analysis

Workplaces are undergoing rapid transformations driven by technology, globalization, and changing societal dynamics. This is true for the roles of Human Resources (HR) as well. With the advent of artificial intelligence, automation, remote work, and shifting employee expectations, the future of HR holds both opportunities and challenges that organizations must navigate to thrive in the modern workplace.

The role of HR is becoming quite critical in supporting businesses. On top of that, the rightly suited HR leaders will make organisations future-ready. Simply put, the role of HR includes constant team conditioning and reskilling and helping employees adapt to organisational culture.

ALSO READ: 2023 Southeast Asia Market Insights & Salary Trends Report

As we look ahead to the future, the Human Resources (HR) field is expected to undergo significant changes. And, by understanding these transformative changes, HR professionals, business leaders, and employees alike can proactively prepare for the future, adapt to the evolving landscape, and harness the potential benefits.

What is there to look forward to in the future of HR? And what are the future HR trends that will redefine HR? Let us dive into the world of predictions and analysis, and discover the transformative journey that awaits the HR profession in the years to come.

Focus Areas Defining the Future of HR

#1. Diversity & Inclusion

Most companies are predicted to provide progress reports on diversity and inclusion efforts. In 2023, the organisational ecosystem will not merely reflect the societal ecosystem but emphasise empathy and enablement. Sensitisation and workforce empowerment will be crucial steps toward ensuring employee well-being. HR leaders and managers will foster a positive culture supporting an inclusive work environment.

Know the five ways to cultivate inclusion in your organisation.

#2. Automation

Technology will continue to revolutionise HR processes and practices. Automation has seen a quick adoption in all walks of life. Visibly, the year is about building optimal operating models with automated processes handling specific jobs.

Moreover, the trend of adopting cloud software to automate and manage workflows is expected to keep growing. While many companies already use software for certain functions, the future of HR is becoming more digitised with the acceleration of the hiring process.

#3. Employee Experience

Employee experience will take center stage in the future of HR. Many HR leaders believe their organisations need the right resources to boost employee growth. Unfortunately, the current options do not satisfy employee needs as they evaluate their jobs.

Enhancing employee experience includes setting a trajectory, communicating role benefits, and focusing on career mobility within the organisation. The strategy helps HR leaders to create the best job experiences for the employees.

#4. Organisational Design & Change Management

Too much change and uncertainty lead to an organisations’ people becoming fatigued. However, digital transformations remain a top priority for organisations and HR leaders.

With employees growing more resistant to change, the HR leaders of 2023 are focusing on leading the change and mitigating the impact of change on employee productivity and performance.

#5. In-office & Remote Policies

Managing a remote workforce has become an inseparable part of numerous organisations worldwide. Lately, employees love working flexibly and remotely as it allows them to spend time with their families.

Nevertheless, despite what employees like, the HR department must find a solution that meets in-house and remote work schedule requirements.

RELATED READ: Remote Workforce Essentials: Perks and Benefits That Promote Work-Life Balance

#6. Leadership Effectiveness

Over time, the roles of leaders have changed and turned into complex functions. Present-day work environments require leaders to be more authentic and adaptive. As a result, today’s HR leaders are becoming more capable of addressing the barriers impacting the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Developing human leadership has become a pertinent part of HR roles and responsibilities.

#7. Agile Talent Management

Organizations will need to adapt to the changing nature of work and the workforce, which will require a more agile approach to talent management.

Traditional notions of employment, such as permanent, full-time roles, will continue to evolve, and organizations will need to be more flexible in attracting, retaining, and developing talent. HR will need to adopt innovative talent management practices, such as gig work, freelance arrangements, and talent marketplaces, and develop strategies to reskill and upskill employees to meet the changing demands of the workforce.

Find Out More: Career Mobility – A Key To Attracting And Retaining Talent

While we conclude the part about the focus areas of HR of future HR trends, now is the time to march toward an analysis.

The Future of HR: Analysis

What forms their future course of action as HR leaders face unprecedented disruption? Well! They can learn about the technologies, trends, and operational changes that shape the future of business.

From managing hiring challenges to tackling “quiet quitting,” organisations demand more from HR leaders. Simply put, new demands and expectations on the HR division of an organisation require them to develop new skills and an agile work approach.

With no single path to driving value through HR, every company’s route will be unique to its journey. In some cases, companies might walk a less traveled path to fulfill the needs of today’s disruptive world.

Yet with challenge comes opportunity; HR has the opportunity to drive change. The crux of the analysis is HR leaders must embrace new traits and behaviours to enable survival for organisations in the digital age.

Winding Up

One word that can define the future of HR is reinvention. A slight change daily makes a considerable difference in adapting to the changing times.

Human Resources has come a long way from when the department was confined to paperwork. Today, HR functions have expanded beyond policies and procedures. The role of HR is continuously evolving, and professionals must learn about the technologies and future HR trends.

How CGP Singapore Can Help?

We are a specialist recruitment agency that connects companies to high-level talent. We are more than your average recruiter. Our team strives to build meaningful relations with clients and talent. Known for staying one step ahead, we match the right business with the right person.

Contact us in case you are looking for candidates that can fulfill your organisational goals.

Get in Touch

FAQs

1. What is the future of HR analytics?

AI will change how you approach the HR analytics process. This puts greater emphasis on creativity and collaboration. Utilising HR analytics by tapping into the organisation’s existing people’s data makes teams more productive and connected. The future of HR analytics will witness employers using data science to find the right people at the right time.

2. What will HR focus on in 2023?

HR leaders have the responsibility to manage human resources and improve retention rates. With every passing year, the role of the HR department is transforming. The current year will see HR focusing on leader & manager effectiveness, organisational design & change management, employee experience, recruiting, and the future of work.

May 29, 2023
Which are the Highest-Paying IT Jobs in Singapore?
Singapore is on a massive digitalisation drive and continues to position itself as the top digital and technology hub within the Asia-Pacific region. Digitalization is potentially creating a plethora of new roles for IT professionals and we are seeing more and more Research & Development labs being set up within companies to spearhead digital transformation.

It’s all well and good to know your goals and tackle them with gusto in a country like Singapore, which is full of opportunities (so long as you know where to look!). But what if you don’t know what IT jobs are available in Singapore and which are the highest-paying? It is unsurprising that job seekers may find it challenging to know which jobs match their skill set and justify it with the right salary.

So, if you’re looking for a well-paying job in the technology niche, it’s time to check out this list.

1. Software Engineer

Information Technology (IT) has been buzzing for the past many years, and many people are directed toward Software Engineering. A big part of the surge in demand for Software Engineers is because tech companies are using Singapore as their launch pad.

The high-responsibility role has candidates in charge of various projects, ranging from computer games to network control systems. While Singapore remains an attractive destination for tech innovators with constant support from the public sector, a career as a software engineer is on the rise.

Apart from relevant degrees & certifications, employers also look out for soft skills such as problem-solving, communication, and a strategic approach in candidates.

2. Cybersecurity Engineer

The number of job postings for cybersecurity professionals has grown tremendously as more companies beef up their cybersecurity protocols. Cybersecurity is virtually needed in every industry— from retail and transport to government departments allowing cybersecurity professionals to work in various industries. Popular sectors hiring Cybersecurity Engineers in Singapore include government, professional services, and banking & finance.

Working as a Cybersecurity Engineer makes room for transferable IT skills. Essential tech skills like General programming, Python, Unix commands, and networking architecture can be applied in cybersecurity and are highly desired by several firms in Singapore. Additionally, employers also look for several other competency skills in cybersecurity engineers, such as communication, transdisciplinary thinking, and creative thinking in an ideal candidate.

3. Business Analyst

Whether you are already working as a Business Analyst in Singapore or considering taking up a job, your choices are varied. The rapid evolution of information technology and Big Data in Singapore has introduced the market to multiple career options for Business Analysts.

Currently, employers are hiring for full-time positions, engaging consultants, or a combination of both with lucrative salary packages.

4. Data Architect

Companies’ reliance on data to make essential business decisions has recruitment firms in Singapore flooded with high-paying job vacancies. So, if you want to start your career as a Data Architect or switch to a new job, the job market in Singapore is the hotbed.

Salaries offered for Data Architect positions have tripled over the last few years. As a result, companies are ready to rope in deserving Data Architects by offering them attractive salary packages.

5. Data Scientist

Singapore is witnessing massive growth in the data science industry thus creating a high demand for data scientists in the country. Experts who can study large amounts of data to extract useful information and apply that information for business improvement or solving challenges are in high demand.

Singapore’s Economic Development Board (EDB) has stated that the data analytics industry contributes an estimated USD 730 million to the economy annually.

Top industries hiring Data Scientists in Singapore include sectors like IT, banks, education, and financial services, to name a few. Additionally, many start-ups and other well-established firms are looking for suitable talent in the data science domain.

6. Principal Security Engineer

Principal Security Engineer jobs are among the highest-paying in Singapore’s IT sector. This role demands the candidates to possess the key skills & abilities, such as:
- Lead complex technology Cloud initiatives
- Review and analyse complex, large-scale technology solutions in Cloud for strategic business objectives
- Solve technical challenges
- Possess Knowledge of the industry’s best practices
Job seekers looking for IT jobs in Singapore must know when and where to apply to be placed in an organisation that can offer them a well-deserved package and a healthy work environment.

7. IT Audit Manager

We must mention IT Audit Manager jobs when listing the highest-paying IT jobs in Singapore. Candidates rely on top recruitment firms in Singapore to find the right opportunity that matches their skill set and offers attractive packages.

The role of an IT Audit Manager requires both leadership and management skills. Singapore firms hiring for auditor roles typically desire candidates to fulfill responsibilities such as consulting, developing audit plans, evaluating the organisation’s compliance with industry standards, planning & conducting audits, and analysing IT systems.

8. Solutions Architect

Solutions Architects are usually mid-to-upper-level professionals and stand at the crossroad between technical vision and organisational needs. The role encompasses identifying a specific technological need for an organisation and designing, constructing, and managing a solution that satisfies those needs. Thus, requires candidates entering the solutions architecture space should constantly re-educate themselves. Typically, firms seek candidates with multi-disciplinary experience who have collaborated with various business and technical specialists throughout the lifespan of their careers.

Top-rated recruitment firms in Singapore have made it convenient for headhunters and job seekers to find a common spot to seek employees and employers, respectively.

Bottom Line:

Job hunting can sometimes be difficult; it takes a lot of courage, determination, and knowledge to find your dream job in a land full of opportunities and competition. So amplify your skills and introduce them to the right people because the job market and requirements of highly skilled talent never slow down.

Cornerstone Global Partners (CGP) Singapore is one of the best recruitment agencies in the Technology sector. We have carved a niche with services such as Executive Search, Contracting, Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO), and Human Resources Outsourcing services to multi-national and domestic firms. We can be your partner to place you at the right place and time and get you a salary that matches your skills.

If you are an employer looking to fill a Technology role or expanding your team, submit your open vacancy details and one of our specialist consultants will get in touch with you to discuss your recruitment needs.

RELATED READ:
- 5 Tips to Ace Your Next Interview and Land the Job
- The Talent Shortage Crisis
FAQs

1. How can I get a high-paying job?

In a competitive job market, it can be hard to get a high-paying job if you don’t showcase to recruiters why you should be hired. But preparations always pay off. You can start by excelling in your current position, making professional connections, building your skills, updating your resume, and applying. One foolproof idea for getting a high-paying job is seeking assistance from a reputable recruitment agency.

2. What is the highest-paying job in technology?

It’s no secret that software engineers are in high demand and get the highest salaries. This is because the more years of experience an engineer has, the higher they are paid. But not all software engineering careers are the same, and the salary varies depending on specialist fields.

3. Which IT company pays the highest salary?

Naming a specific company that pays the highest salary isn’t easy because every company has its own payout range. Companies such as Google, Amazon, Facebook, Apple, and others are among the world’s highest-paying companies.
December 14, 2022
Digital Transformation: 5 Industries Leading The Way
Reshaping the Global Manufacturing Landscape

The definition of digital transformation is still widely disputed across industries. It depends on the way one industry adopts new technologies or the term differs in different industries.

Here’s what digital transformation currently means for 5 top industries as we draw conclusions on leading trends of digital technologies, data-driven efficiencies and improving manufacturing processes.
- Aerospace
- Chemicals
- Construction
- Third-Party Logistics
- Electronics
Aerospace: Global Aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Market to Reach $55.6 Billion by 2026

The global market for Aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) estimated at US$44.8 Billion in the year 2020, reaches a revised size of US$55.6 Billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 3.7% over the analysis period. (“Global Market Trajectory & Analytics” report)

The digitalization of MROs comes in the form of cloud-based service or supply chain mobile applications from human-touch to human-led basis. The industry fuels on the massive potential of improving processes through robotic automation, data analytics and artificial intelligence.

Chemicals: Digital Technologies Open New Way for Chemical Products and Services

Chemical producers were among the first industrial companies to deploy digital technologies, using digital sensors and controllers to optimize production and control plant operations. Recently, the digital chemical industry market size was valued at US$ 11.1 billion in 2021 and it is expected to reach US$ 61.7 billion in 2030, recording a promising CAGR of 21.4% from 2022 to 2030 (Bloomberg report).

Chemical enterprises look beyond traditional ways of primary manufacturing operations and processes through means of artificial intelligence (AI), big data analytics (BDA), internet of things (IoT), robotics and many more as it also shifts from evolutionary to disruptive era.

Larger chemical organisations have plans to invest about 5% of their annual revenues in further digitalization of their various operations over the next five years.

Construction: Is This Industry Embracing Digitalization Well?

Digitalization in the construction industry moves forward though it is slow. From the use of Building Information Modelling (BIM), Digital Documentation to Process Automation, there have been many milestones for the construction industry’s business leaders to have a holistic picture.

Construction companies are becoming more aware of the potential and plan to invest more in digital technologies. Therefore, the digital technologies market of construction 4.0 market is projected to increase by around $29 Billion by 2027.

Third-Party Logistics: Rising customer sophistication and expectations are driving forces for digital transformation

With retail e-commerce sales grew quickly from US$25.4 billion in 2019, clients of third-party logistics companies are increasingly looking for specialized services (PWC report).

Right after the pandemic, e-commerce powers up the digital forefront of third-party logistics companies. Many industry leaders are optimizing fundamental digital changes to meet expectations through pockets of driving factors like faster delivery speeds, better online delivery visibility, and new digital purchase models.

Electronics: Smart, Connected Products Gain New Competencies

Digital initiatives in the forefront of the electronics industry have taken place through highly invested product development of smarter and connected products, projected to reach $6.9 trillion by 2030 (PWC report). As digital complexities are all rising precipitously, manufacturers are actively leveraging the initiative to accelerate their digital transformation journeys, to change the way they design, fabricate, and deliver in the current era. New digital and hardware technologies, coupled with integrative design principles open new possibilities for manufacturers.

As we learn through the top transformative digitalization trends of the 5 major industries, how about understanding the future of the workplace in manufacturing industries?

The Future of Work: Digital Transformation of Employment

A Future of Work (FoW) framework NASA developed based on research to embark on a new future workforce journey

Digital transformation is not only disrupting the process and productivity aspects of manufacturing but also talent needs bringing new opportunities for upskilling and reskilling. Digital skills must be a priority for the manufacturing industry to step forward into digital transformation.

To hire in the digital era, various hiring jobs are morphing with must-have skillsets such as digitalization project management, industry 4.0 capability, and more. Manufacturing jobs are reimagined to reflect these ongoing skillsets. We are all preparing for a future that promises to be transformative.

If you are a professional or work within the manufacturing industry who wish to find out more about market dynamics or career options, reach out to us here »

The views expressed in this article are those of CGP Singapore’s contributing members – Kent Yar, Kathleen Zhu, Bennett Chow, Donny Leong and June Tan.
July 28, 2022
2022 Southeast Asia Market Insights & Salary Trends Report

The State of the Market: Salary Guide & Talent Trends in Southeast Asia

Singapore has cultivated a great pool of highly educated and talented professionals. With the Singapore Government continuously encouraging and promoting the importance of upskilling and more recently, due to Covid-19, the need to reskill, programmes and grants such as SkillsFuture, SGUnited skills programme, Mid-Career Pathways, Traineeships, and Jobs Support Scheme, have been created to support local talent to help them remain competitive in the employment market.

Read our salary guide and hiring insights report for 2022 as we explore employment trends in Southeast Asia and provide hiring sentiments in 2022.

Download Here

July 1, 2022
The Talent Shortage Crisis

One of the most prominent questions that we get asked in the recruitment world, especially within technology recruitment, is ‘how will you deal with the candidate shortage?’. It would be a very rare week if we didn’t get asked this by different clients, both potential and current.

To address this concern, we need to look at the facts that sit behind the question. Most companies that we speak to state that they have a vast number of positions open for technical staff, whether that be Engineering, Product Management, Support, etc. or even more client focused positions, such as Customer Success and Account Executives. As almost all of the technology roles in the market are considered ‘business critical’, when companies don’t see a significant number of CVs, applications, and responses to their advertisements, then surely that means that there’s a talent shortage?

Not necessarily…

In our experience at Cornerstone Global Partners, we now understand that there isn’t essentially a talent shortage in Singapore, but more of a job surplus. This sounds like a strange way of putting it, since surely if there isn’t enough staff to fill open positions, then that means that it’s a shortage? Well, in an environment with extensive competition for every candidate, companies need to think about this in a different way.

We’ve been advising our clients that there are enough candidates in the market, and enough skilled professionals, but the difficult part is that companies need to do more to attract talent. This is where our consultancy services have come in handy, as we have worked on increasing the desirability of the companies, meaning that candidates view them as a great place to work, instead of just somewhere to earn their wages.

The key to success within this job surplus market (see what I did there?), is to change our perspective. Before, with Singapore being such a draw to foreign talent at every level, companies could rely on professionals coming in and taking almost any role just to get here. The issue was then (and I’ve got countless examples of this over the years), that once these professionals understand the real market rate, they end up leaving for another business. Companies like this would lose that ‘Software Engineer’ for example, and then just replace the person with another from abroad.

This is a really tough strategy to follow for the long-term, and now that Singapore has upped the requirements for foreign workers to enter, it’s one that has left companies scratching their heads as to why they can’t hire the right talent for the positions. This leads to many people claiming it’s just inevitable and a candidate shortage. Makes sense, right?

Not necessarily…

Over the last 18 months, CGP has been working with our clients to hugely improve their ability to hire talent. This includes our own internal benchmarking that delivers not only the average salaries for positions but mainly what the best in the market candidates are demanding. Some of the other services we’ve discussed are healthcare, annual leave entitlements, and even things like welcome packages. Another strategy resulting in great success has been around extremely generous employee referral bonuses, because we found a lot of businesses that rewarded this, got 4x the amount of referred candidates.

I guess what we’re saying is that the talent is there, it’s just not available if you’re not adapting to the market. And the successful businesses in the market are offering everything possible to attract the very best. And your company needs to be on a level playing field.

November 23, 2021
The Game Is Still Changing: Digitalization Within Aerospace Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO)

Digitalization is steadily changing everything, from the ways maintenance is planned to parts secured to documentation, execution, and turning of wrenches in hangars. This has resulted in the need to re-skill and upskill leaders as well as employees, forming a more digital mindset leading to greater success within the aerospace industry.

Technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, AR/VR, digital twins, and 3D printing to perform MRO operations have increased the efficiency of operations and have dramatically reduced turnaround time.

SIA Engineering Company (SIAEC), a subsidiary company of SIA is Asia’s foremost Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) providerhas recorded revenue of $125.3 million for the first quarter of FY2021-22, $6.8 million higher year-on-year (+5.7%) largely driven by higher flight activities. Consequently, the Group incurred a lower operating loss of $2.9 million compared to the operating loss of $8.6 million in the same quarter last year.

The group has earlier announced on 20th January 2021 that it has started Phase 2 of its Transformation Program after seeing significant improvements in the company’s operating performance with its increased productivity and thus improved turnaround time and reduced operating costs after it began its Transformation Phase 1 since 2017. They have worked closely with OEMs that provide the data analytics and big data together to revolutionize maintenance—making it more predictable in terms of results and more cost-effective.

“The unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant severe disruptions to the aviation industry has made it even more imperative that we press on with the next phase of SIAEC’s Transformation journey to strengthen our resilience and agility while positioning us to be first off the blocks when the upturn comes around. With the launch of Transformation Phase 2, we will strive to be more productive and innovative and emerge from this crisis with enhanced competitiveness. We will support our staff through digital training and equip ourselves with digital tools that enable real-time sharing of information and data-driven decisions,” said SIAEC Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ng Chin Hwee.

ST Aerospace, the world’s largest airframe MRO solution provider has also integrated advanced predictive analytics into its system modeling for CFM56 engines to provide data-based engine health management programs which they have plans to expand predictive maintenance beyond engines to components. According to a Market Research Future report, the global digital MRO market is expected to register a 12% annual growth during the forecast period 2019-2030 which the report says: “Digitalization will help the industry to create a continuous stream of data flowing through different levels of the supply chain thus having a digital MRO strategy is becoming central to core strategies of organizations, helping them to gain a competitive edge over others and having the right tool to automate data ingestion, parsing it, and managing various versions of the document, amongst other tasks, can reduce indirect costs by more than 70 percent.

November 5, 2021
Why You Should Consider Switching To The Healthcare Industry?

Singapore’s Healthcare Industry

Singapore’s healthcare is renowned as one of the world’s best healthcare industries.

This comes down to a combination of factors – strong regulatory governance, a good blend of public and private healthcare infrastructure, and a comprehensive, cost-sharing medical health insurance system.

With the average Singaporean life expectancy at 82.8 years old, and over-65-years-olds expected to increase by 20% by 2030, the Ministry of Health (government body supervising the development of the healthcare ecosystem in Singapore) has long term plans to increase the overall capacity of the industry, enabling those living here to continue to have an easy and cost-effective access to healthcare. This also includes the training of healthcare professionals as well as expanding the network of primary care (polyclinics), community and acute hospitals, and nursing/rehabilitative homes.

Guardians of Unprecedented Health Pandemics

The Covid-19 pandemic (and future pandemics to come) underscores the importance of a well-developed healthcare system. As such, the nation has been able to keep its head above water and overcome the challenges Covid-19 pandemic has thrown at us thanks to our healthcare heroes on the frontline. With doctors working extra hours to monitor the vitals of Covid-19 patients, nurses working extra shifts to ensure healthy recoveries, and also keeping their families abreast of their conditions, the rest of us have been learning to adjust to the new normal of WFHs/hybrid working structures and socializing in groups of 2 or 5. It’s important to remember that our healthcare workers are working extremely hard and are stretched to their limits (no WFHs, no Hybrids) in putting up the protective walls to shield us from a potential health catastrophe.

Many of us are thankful for all that these Healthcare professionals do for us and wished we could contribute in some way. And the answer is, you can! Have you considered pivoting your career into the Healthcare industry?

Why You Consider a Career in Healthcare

As recruiters, we ask candidates what motivates them in choosing an industry/vocation – financial rewards for bankers, glitz and glamour for luxury retailers, technology advancement for IT professionals, and the list goes on – but in my conversations with healthcare professionals, I’m reminded that a ‘servitude mindset’ is the reason they chose healthcare – the chance to serve in medicine guides them through the peaks and valleys of their career in this industry.

Healthcare is about saving lives, and this remains the most rewarding aspect of being in this industry. Whilst Healthcare generally offers competitive rewards and career development plans – healthcare professionals identify most with being able to go to bed each night having improved a patient’s quality of life.

As frontline healthcare professionals – medical (doctors), allied health (skilled technicians such as radiographers), and nursing remain as the core talent pool for recruitment & development. However, capable administrative professionals (corporate functions) in healthcare are also just as important. For every medical team at the frontline saving lives, there is a team of administrative professionals supporting to help achieve the same goal, be it to ensure the logistics of patient bed arrangement or cutting queue time for medicine collection.

There are professional/career transition programs available, such as WSG or PCP for anyone interested in making a transition into the healthcare industry – you can contribute either from the front or behind the scenes to help our healthcare system. Healthcare is about saving lives and therefore, the industry welcomes talent of all ages. We’ve even seen retirees joining the industry contributing any way they can!

Working within the healthcare industry brings the satisfaction of helping another individual, giving you a fuller heart knowing that what you do directly impacts a patient and their loved ones – and that is what matters at the end of the day isn’t it?

If you would like to find out more or considering a switch to Healthcare, contact Sean Wong at sean.wong@cornerstoneglobalpartners.com.

October 19, 2021