Job Vacancies, 2002

Manpower Research and Statistics Department Singapore January 2003

COPYRIGHT NOTICE Brief extracts from the report may be used provided the source is acknowledged; requests for extensive reproduction should be made to : Director Manpower Research and Statistics Department Ministry of Manpower 18 Havelock Road #06-02 Singapore 059764 Fax : 6539 5004 Email : [email protected]

CONTENTS

Page

Executive Summary ..……………………………………………. i

Introduction.............................................................................. 1

Part I : Private Sector Job Vacancies .................................. 2

By Occupational Group ........................................................... 3

By Sector............................................................................... 13

By Qualification ..................................................................... 21

Part II : Public Sector Job Vacancies ................................ 23

Part III : Matching Job Seekers With Job Openings ........ 24

Concluding Remarks……………………………………………25

APPENDICES

HIGHLIGHTS

•

As GDP growth resumed in 2002, private sector job vacancies of establishments with at least 25 employees climbed to 17,229 in September 2002 from the trough of 14,123 registered a year ago. However, recovery has been slow. Although the number of openings rose, the pace of increase slowed with each passing quarter. The vacancies in September 2002 were only 53% of the level in 2000 and 39% of that in 1997, prior to the Asian crisis.

•

Departing from past trend, the share of openings for production, cleaners & labourers rose from 36% in 2001 to 42% in 2002 at the expense of professionals, managers, executives & technicians (PMETs) in 2002, whose share fell from 36% to 29%. This came about due to the manufacturing recovery which led to increased recruitment of production & related workers and the consolidation in the financial sector, leading to fewer openings for professionals and managers. In the long run, we do not expect the PMET share to decline, in view of efforts by economic agencies to attract new investments that will require better educated and higher skilled workers.

•

In September 2002, 62% of the private sector job openings came from the services industries, followed by manufacturing (34%) and construction (3.6%). Falling by 39%, construction was the only sector that registered a decline in openings compared with a year ago. Manufacturing was the top gainer registering a 77% jump in vacancies. Services registered a more modest gain of 11% across all industries except for financial services and business services & real estate

•

The public sector had another 3,613 job openings as at September 2002.

•

Degree holders faced the greatest competition for openings with 100 job seekers going after only 31 openings. This is due to the decline in vacancies requiring degree qualifications at a time when the pool of unemployed degree holders hit a record high in 2002 for the September periods. Job seekers with secondary or lower secondary education also faced intense competition, as the number of qualified job seekers far out-numbered the openings, with job vacancies to seekers ratios of 0.31 and 0.34, respectively. On the other hand, those with diploma, post-secondary and primary & below education fared relatively better with ratios of 0.49 and above.

i

Job Vacancies, 2002

1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 This report analyses the job vacancy situation in the public and private sectors in 2002 and gives a breakdown of the vacancies into the various occupations, sectors and minimum qualifications required. In addition, the report also considers the match between job seekers’ education profile and the minimum requirements of job openings available in September 2002. 1.2 Data on job vacancy by broad occupational groups are collected from the quarterly Labour Market Surveys conducted by the Manpower Research and Statistics Department on private sector establishments each with at least 25 employees. This was expanded to cover job vacancies in the public sector since the end of 2001. More comprehensive job vacancy data by detailed occupations and qualifications required are collected once a year through an annual Job Vacancy Survey. 1.3 Job vacancies refer to openings for which firms are actively trying to recruit workers. They can arise from jobs created due to new business demands or posts left vacant as a result of staff turnover. Data on job vacancies have important uses e.g. in pinpointing labour demand, improving vocational guidance, employee recruitment and placement. In a downturn when jobs are scarce, identifying areas where jobs are still available becomes even more important.

1

PART I:

2

PRIVATE SECTOR JOB VACANCIES

PRIVATE SECTOR JOB VACANCIES

2.1 As GDP growth resumed in 2002, private sector job vacancies climbed to 17,229 in September 2002 from the trough1 of 14,123 registered in the same period a year ago. However, recovery has been slow. Although the number of openings rose through the year, the pace of increase slowed with each passing quarter. In fact, after accounting for seasonal influences, there was hardly any increase in job vacancies in the three months leading to September 2002. The openings in 2002 were only 53% the level in 2000 and 39% of that in 1997, prior to the Asian crisis. 2.2 Correspondingly, the vacancy rate (i.e. vacancies expressed as a percentage of total manpower demand) rose only marginally from the record low of 1.3% in 2001 to 1.6% in 2002. However, this was only slightly higher than the 1.5% recorded in 1998 during the Asian crisis. Prior to this, the vacancy rate was around 4% to 5%.

50,000

CHART 1: JOB VACANCIES AND GDP GROWTH (AT 1990 MARKET PRICES), 1992 - 2002 (As at Sep, Q3)

Number

%

Job Vacancies

45,000

12

GDP Growth

40,000

14

10 8

35,000

Job Vacancy Rate

30,000

6

25,000

4

20,000

2

15,000

0

10,000

-2

5,000

-4

0

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

-6

37,878 40,206 46,466 47,758 44,262 44,614 15,465 25,126 32,385 14,123 17,229 Job Vacancies 4.9 5.4 5.2 4.6 4.4 1.5 2.5 3.1 1.3 1.6 Job Vacancy Rate 4.8 6.7 12.7 12.2 9.1 3.9 11.5 -2.5 8.5 10.9 -5.4 3.9 GDP Growth

Source: Labour Market Survey, MOM Department of Statistics, MTI

1

Since start of data series in 1987. All yearly figures cited in the report are as at September, unless otherwise stated

2

3

BY OCCUPATIONAL GROUP

3.1

Overall

3.1.1 The improvement in job vacancy rate at the overall level was pulled down by the lackluster performance of professionals, managers, executives & technicians (PMETs). Compared with a year ago, the job vacancy rates for production workers, cleaners & labourers and clerical, sales & service workers rose from 1.1% and 1.5% to 1.6% and 1.9% respectively; while that for the PMETs fell marginally from 1.5% to 1.4% over the same period.

CHART 2: JOB VACANCY RATE BY BROAD OCCUPATIONAL GROUP, 1992-2002 (As at Sep)

7

(%) Clerical, Sales & Service Workers

6

5

Production & Transport Operators, Cleaners & Labourers

4

3

Professionals, Managers, Executives & Technicians

2

1

0

P ro fe s s io n a l C le ric a l P ro d u c tio n

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

3 .1 5 .5 5 .2

3 .3 5 .8 5 .1

3 .8 6 .5 5 .5

4 .0 6 .1 5 .3

3 .7 5 .5 4 .5

3 .9 5 .3 4 .1

1 .5 1 .9 1 .4

2 .9 2 .9 2 .1

3 .5 3 .4 2 .6

1 .5 1 .5 1 .1

1 .4 1 .9 1 .6

Source: Labour Market Survey, MOM

3

3.1.2 Consequently, the share of openings for production, cleaners & labourers departed from past trend to rise to 42% in 2002 from 36% in the previous year, supported mainly by increased hirings in manufacturing as it recovered from the downturn in 2001. Conversely, PMETs saw their share of vacancies fall from 36% to 29% over the same period, largely contributed by a decline in openings in the financial services due to consolidation and restructuring in the industry. This is the first time that the PMET share has declined, following a consistently upward trend observed over the years.

60

(%)

CHART 3: SHARE OF TOTAL JOB VACANCIES BY BROAD OCCUPATIONAL GROUP, 1992 – 2002 (As at Sep) Production & Transport Operators, Cleaners & Labourers

50

40

30

Clerical, Sales & Service Workers

20

Professionals, Managers, Executives & Technicians

10

0

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

Professional 14.3 34.5 Clerical 51.2 Production

15.3 35.6 49.1

16.8 35.7 47.5

19.2 33.4 47.5

20.4 33.0 46.6

23.4 32.4 44.1

27.3 31.4 41.3

33.4 29.5 37.1

35.1 28.5 36.4

35.6 28.7 35.7

28.9 29.3 41.8

Source: Labour Market Survey, MOM

4

3.2

Managers

3.2.1 There were 592 private sector vacancies for managers in September 2002. This represented a fall of 12% (or -77) from the previous year, adding to the losses in 2001 due to the economic downturn. This brought managerial openings to only 40% of the level in 2000. The losses were confined to the services industries, in particular financial services that accounted for 63% (or -110, mainly administration managers) of losses in 2002. Other industries posting declines for managerial openings were transport & communications (-46) and wholesale & retail trade (-20). 3.2.2 Close to one in every five (19% or 112) vacancies for managers in September 2002 came from manufacturing (e.g. training managers and sales managers), followed by 18% (or 109) from the business services & real estate (e.g. budgeting & financial accounting managers) and 14% (or 84) from financial services (e.g. administration managers).

TABLE 1 : JOB VACANCIES FOR MANAGERS, 1992 – 2002 (As at Sep)

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

Number

653

699

712

1,078

1,101

1,200

604

1,044

1,465

669

592

Share of Total Job Vacancies (%)

1.7

1.7

1.5

2.3

2.5

2.7

3.9

4.2

4.5

4.7

3.4

Source : Job Vacancy Survey, MOM

3.2.3 The majority (68% or 404) of managerial job openings required at least degree qualifications. Another 23% (139) of openings called for candidates with a polytechnic diploma or its equivalent. 49 managerial openings did not require a tertiary education (e.g. some training managers). 3.2.4 The top 5 managerial occupations with the greatest number of vacancies were budgeting & financial accounting manager (75), sales manager (56), business development manager (41), and administration manager (36) and training manager (25).

5

3.3

Professionals

3.3.1 There were 1,684 openings in the private sector for professionals. This was largely unchanged from a year ago as losses mainly from financial services (-176) (e.g. systems designers & analysts, financial and credit analysts) and transport & communications (-112) (e.g. auditing accountant) were offset by gains from manufacturing (380) (e.g. aeronautical engineers and semi-conductor engineers). As a whole, the professional openings were only about 36% of the peak level in 2000, which saw a sharp increase following the recovery from the Asian economic crisis. 3.3.2 Most openings for professionals in 2002 were from manufacturing (46% or 782), followed by business services & real estate (19% or 324) (e.g. accounting auditors) and the community, social & personal services (e.g. physicians) (12% or 196).

TABLE 2 : JOB VACANCIES FOR PROFESSIONALS, 1992 – 2002 (As at Sep)

Number Share of Total Job Vacancies (%)

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

1,568

1,755

2,639

3,041

3,021

3,822

1,750

2,933

4,742

1,674

1,684

4.1

4.4

5.7

6.4

6.8

8.6

11.3

11.7

14.6

11.9

9.8

Source : Job Vacancy Survey, MOM

3.3.3 As expected, many (63% or 1,061) of the vacancies for professionals required at least university degree, and 35% (or 584) needed a polytechnic diploma or its equivalent. Just 2.3% (or 39) of the professional openings did not require any tertiary qualifications. These were for positions that required only secondary/ post secondary qualification but with specialised skills e.g. special education teachers and IT programmers. 3.3.4 Demand in this grouping was the highest for aeronautical engineer (201), electronics engineer (116), systems designer & analyst (78), semi-conductor engineer (72) and production engineer (65).

6

3.4

Technicians and Associate Professionals

3.4.1 Similar to professionals, the number of openings for technicians & associate professionals was largely unchanged at 2,705 in 2002, which was 42% of the level in 2000. Losses were found mainly in the business services & real estate industry (-87) and community, social & personal services (-59) (e.g. management executives for both industries). However, these were balanced out by gains, mostly in manufacturing (109) (e.g. chemistry technicians and electronic engineering technicians) and the wholesale & retail trade (52) (e.g. technical & commercial sales representative). 3.4.2 Most demand for technicians & associate professionals came from community, social & personal services (25% or 689) (e.g. nurses) followed by manufacturing (25% or 669) and transport & communication (17% or 451) (e.g. commercial airline pilots).

TABLE 3 : JOB VACANCIES FOR TECHNICIANS AND ASSOCIATE PROFESSIONALS, 1992 – 2002 (As at Sep)

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

Number

4,111

4,708

5,835

6,746

6,893

7,974

2,863

4,955

6,414

2,698

2,705

Share of Total Job Vacancies (%)

10.8

11.7

12.6

14.1

15.6

17.9

18.5

19.7

19.8

19.1

15.7

Source : Job Vacancy Survey, MOM

3.4.3 Close to half (44% or 1,198) of the vacancies in this occupational group required at least a polytechnic diploma or its equivalent, and 23% (or 609) at least a university degree. 3.4.4 Occupations with the highest job vacancies within this category were nurse (253), management executive (236), mechanical engineering technician (130), electrical engineering technician (122) and commercial airline pilot (121).

7

3.5

Clerical Workers

3.5.1 Private sector demand for clerical workers was 1,710 openings in September 2002, 9.1% higher than the same period a year ago. However, it still fell substantially short of the level posted (4,164) in 2000. The rise in demand in 2002 over 2001 came mostly from manufacturing (76) and the wholesale & retail trade (76) while minor losses were mainly from community, social & personal services (-39). 3.5.2 Most clerical openings could be found in financial services (24% or 402), transport & communications (23% or 396) and wholesale & retail trade (15% or 261).

TABLE 4 : JOB VACANCIES FOR CLERICAL WORKERS, 1992 – 2002 (As at Sep)

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

Number

4,226

4,585

6,195

5,962

5,190

5,461

1,661

2,645

4,164

1,568

1,710

Share of Total Job Vacancies (%)

11.1

11.4

13.3

12.5

11.7

12.2

10.7

10.5

12.9

11.1

9.9

Source : Job Vacancy Survey, MOM

3.5.3 About half of (53% or 914) the clerical jobs called for secondary education. Positions requiring at least polytechnic/ professional diploma accounted for another 18% (or 306) of the job vacancies in the occupational grouping. A further 15% (or 263) of clerical openings needed post secondary qualifications. The remaining 13% (or 227) openings required below secondary education. 3.5.4 Occupations with the highest job vacancies for clerical workers were office clerk (421), customer service clerk (307), cashier (192), bank teller (90) and ledger & accounts clerk (65).

8

3.6

Sales and Service Workers

3.6.1 Vacancies for sales and service workers in the private sector experienced a significant increase in openings over the previous year, rising by 36% to 3,309 in September 2002. This brought it to 77% of the level in 2000. The gains in 2002 came mostly from industries such as hotels & restaurants (347) (e.g. waiters), transport & communications (291) (e.g. cabin attendants/ stewards) and the business services and real estate industry (113) (e.g. private security guards). Losses were mainly from wholesale & retail trade (-64) (e.g. sales assistants). 3.6.2 32% (or 1,068) of the demand for sales & service workers were from hotels & restaurants, followed by 27% (or 878) from the wholesale & retail trade and business service & real estate (14% or 477).

TABLE 5 : JOB VACANCIES FOR SALES AND SERVICE WORKERS, 1992 – 2002 (As at Sep)

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

Number

6,401

6,769

7,603

8,250

7,547

7,284

2,385

4,044

4,305

2,438

3,309

Share of Total Job Vacancies (%)

16.9

16.8

16.4

17.3

17.1

16.3

15.4

16.1

13.3

17.3

19.2

Source : Job Vacancy Survey, MOM

3.6.3 Nine out of ten openings for sales & service workers called for below secondary (46% or 1,534) to secondary (46% or 1,532) education. A further 5.2% (or 173) required at least post-secondary education. The remaining 2.1% (or 70) of openings were for polytechnic/ professional diploma holders. 3.6.4 The top five sales & service job vacancies in 2002 were for shop sales assistant (773), waiter (603), security guard (427), cook (221) and cabin attendant/ steward (181).

9

3.7

Production Craftsmen

3.7.1 Vacancies for production craftsmen registered a decline of 6.8% from a year ago to number 1,811 in September 2002, adding to the losses in the preceding two years. Losses came from a varied number of industries but predominantly the construction (-147) (e.g. welders) sector. Minor gains were registered in manufacturing (45) (e.g. aircraft engine mechanics) and the wholesale & retail trade (44) (e.g. machinery mechanics). 3.7.2 Most openings for production craftsmen were from manufacturing (71% or 1,292), followed by construction (13% or 240) (e.g. electricians) and the wholesale & retail trade (7.0% or 126) (e.g. motor vehicle mechanics).

TABLE 6 : JOB VACANCIES FOR PRODUCTION CRAFTSMEN, 1992 – 2002 (As at Sep)

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

Number

5,448

5,601

5,901

5,737

5,233

4,831

1,805

2,554

2,290

1,944

1,811

Share of Total Job Vacancies (%)

14.3

13.9

12.7

12.0

11.8

10.8

11.7

10.2

7.1

13.8

10.5

Source : Job Vacancy Survey, MOM

3.7.3 Close to nine of every ten (86% or 1,561) of the vacancies for this occupational grouping in September 2002 required below secondary to secondary qualifications, while 13% (or 234) needed post-secondary educated candidates. Just 16 vacancies for production craftsmen called for a polytechnic diploma or its equivalent. 3.7.4 Occupations with the highest job vacancies within this category included aircraft engine mechanic (548), welder (133), machinery mechanic (85), electrician (58) and motor vehicle mechanic (53).

10

3.8

Plant and Machine Operators

3.8.1 Job vacancies for plant and machine operators more than doubled from a year ago to reach 3,810 in September 2002. The gains came predominantly from the manufacturing sector (1,824) (e.g. electronic equipment/ component assemblers, sewing machine operators and metalworking machine setter/ operators). Within services, most of the increase were from the transport & communications (260) (e.g. bus drivers). Notwithstanding the gains, the openings for plant and machine operators were only 60% of the 2000 level (6,391). 3.8.2 Expectedly, a majority of 65% (or 2,485) of openings for this occupational grouping were from manufacturing.

TABLE 7 : JOB VACANCIES FOR PLANT AND MACHINE OPERATORS, 1992 – 2002 (As at Sep)

Number Share of Total Job Vacancies (%)

1992

1993

10,473

9,519

27.6

23.7

1994

1995

10,964 11,602

23.6

24.3

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

7,361

6,501

1,989

4,385

6,391

1,670

3,810

16.6

14.6

12.9

17.5

19.7

11.8

22.1

Source : Job Vacancy Survey, MOM

3.8.3 85% (or 3,242) of openings required below secondary education, followed by 12% (or 447) calling for secondary education. A further 2.5% (or 97) of vacancies needed candidates with post secondary qualification. 3.8.4 The top five plant & machine operator occupations with the highest number of job vacancies in the private sector were electronic equipment/ component assembler (918), trailer truck driver (831), sewing machine operator (297), plastic product machine operator (249) and metalworking machine setter-operator (207).

11

3.9

Cleaners and Labourers

3.9.1 Demand for cleaners and labourers in the private sector registered an increase of 11% to 1,601 in 2002, erasing some of the losses in 2001 to bring the level to 62% that in 2000. The majority of the gains came from hotels & restaurants (196) (e.g. kitchen assistants and room stewards/chambermaids) which offset losses predominantly from construction (-166) (e.g. construction labourers). Business services & real estate (24% or 378) (e.g. cleaners in offices 3.9.2 and other establishments) industry commanded the majority of vacancies for cleaners & labourers, followed by hotels & restaurants (21% or 338) and community, social & personal services (14% or 227) (e.g. sweepers).

TABLE 8 : JOB VACANCIES FOR CLEANERS AND LABOURERS, 1992 – 2002 (As at Sep)

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

Number

5,070

6,544

6,598

5,324

7,903

7,533

2,393

2,550

2,594

1,441

1,601

Share of Total Job Vacancies (%)

13.3

16.3

14.2

11.1

17.9

16.9

15.5

10.1

8.0

10.2

9.3

Source : Job Vacancy Survey, MOM

3.9.3 Almost all vacancies for cleaning & labouring jobs required below secondary (93% or 1,486). Only a minority required secondary (6.9% or 111) education. 3.9.4 The top five cleaner & labourer occupations job openings in the private sector were kitchen assistant (209), construction labourer (181), industrial establishment cleaner (153), office cleaner (126) and room steward/ chambermaid (107). 3.9.5 A listing of the occupations with the highest number of job vacancies by major occupational groupings is at Appendix 1.

12

4

BY SECTOR

4.1

Overall

4.1.1 In September 2002, 62% of the job openings came from the services industries, followed by manufacturing (34%) and construction (3.6%). 4.1.2 Falling by 39%, construction was the only sector that registered a decline in openings compared with a year ago. Manufacturing was the top gainer registering an increase in vacancies of 77%. Services registered a more modest gain of just 11%. In terms of share of job openings, manufacturing chalked up an increase of 11 percentage points, mainly at the expense of services (-6.4 percentage points) and construction (-3.5 percentage points). 4.1.3 Manufacturing and services job vacancy rates were tied at 1.8%, up from 1.0% and 1.7% respectively in 2001. Construction, on the other hand, saw vacancy rate dipping from 0.6% to 0.4%.

TABLE 9 : JOB VACANCIES BY MAJOR SECTORS, 2001 & 2002 (As at Sep)

2001

2002

Change

Sector Number

Rate (%)

Number

Rate (%)

Number

(%)

Total*

14,123 (100.0)

1.3

17,229 (100.0)

1.6

3,106

22.0

Manufacturing

3,294 (23.3)

1.0

5,825 (33.8)

1.8

2,531

76.8

Construction

1,003 (7.1)

0.6

617 (3.6)

0.4

-386

-38.5

Services

9,605 (68.0)

1.7

10,612 (61.6)

1.8

1,007

10.5

* Includes Agriculture, Fishing, Quarrying & Utilities Notes:

Source: Labour Market Survey, MOM 1) The figures may not add up due to rounding 2) Figures in parenthesis refer to job vacancies in the sector as a proportion of total job vacancies. They may not add up due to rounding.

13

4.2

Manufacturing

Manufacturing output grew by 15% in the third quarter of 2002, with 4.2.1 higher output across a broad spectrum of industries. However, this was partly due to the sector’s lower base a year ago.2 Similarly, job vacancy numbers also rebounded from an all-time low3 of 3,294 last year to hit 5,825 in September 2002. Nevertheless, this was only about half the vacancy level in 2000. The increase in job vacancies between 2001 and 2002, occurred across nearly all manufacturing industries but with the majority coming from the electronics industry (1,373). The gains in manufacturing openings were mostly for plant & machine operators (1,824), followed by professionals (380) and technicians & associate professionals (109).

TABLE 10 : JOB VACANCIES AND GDP GROWTH IN MANUFACTURING SECTOR, 1992– 2002 (As at Sep, Q3)

1992 Job Vacancies Number Rate (%) GDP Growth (%) (At 1990 Market Prices)

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

16,760 16,334 19,199 19,029 13,265 13,336 (44.2) (40.6) (41.3) (39.8) (30.0) (29.9) 4.8 4.7 5.3 5.2 3.7 3.8 2.6

10.5

13.9

12.3

-4.2

9.8

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

4,045 (26.2) 1.2

7,417 (29.5) 2.3

10,758 (33.2) 3.3

3,294 (23.3) 1.0

5,825 (33.8) 1.8

-4.3

16.7

15.2

-18.9

14.8

Sources: Labour Market Survey, MOM; Department of Statistics, MTI Note : Figures in parenthesis refer to job vacancies in the sector as a proportion of total job vacancies

2 3

Economic Survey of Singapore, Third Quarter 2002, p29, MTI Since the series began in 1983.

14

4.2.2 With its rebound, the share of openings for production & related workers in manufacturing rose to 69% from 61% a year ago. This was a departure from past trend, which saw the share of such workers declining in the sector. However, the upturn is likely to be cyclical due to manufacturing industries rehiring to fill production & related openings slashed during the downturn.

CHART 4: PROPORTION OF TOTAL JOB VACANCIES BY BROAD OCCUPATIONAL GROUP IN MANUFACTURING, 1995-2002 (As at Sep)

76.4

8.1

68.5

71.4

9.5

9.3

65.9

66.3

63.3

6.9

6.8

7.4

61.1

68.5

7.7 4.7

22.0

26.9

29.3

31.2

19.3

27.2

26.8

15.5

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

Production & Transport Operators, Cleaners & Labourers Clerical, Sales & Service Workers Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technicians

4.2.3 The highest vacancies in manufacturing were for electronic equipment/ component assembler (908), aircraft engine mechanic (543), sewing machine operator (297), metalworking machine setter-operator (201) and plastic product machine operator (199).

15

4.3

Construction

4.3.1 Job vacancies in the construction sector fell to a 10-year low of 617 in 2002 continuing the downtrend that saw openings shrink drastically from over 8,000 in 1997 to 2,600 in 1998 and lower, thereafter. Consequently, the vacancy rate in the sector fell to a new low of 0.4% in 2002. This came on the back of continued sluggishness in the property sector and government measures to reduce reliance on low skilled construction workers. Losses in job vacancies were registered for most occupations in constructions, predominantly labourers & related workers (-166) and production craftsmen (-147) e.g. welders. The only exceptions were vacancies for machine operators (32) (e.g. lorry drivers) and managers (8).

TABLE 11 : JOB VACANCIES AND GDP GROWTH IN CONSTRUCTION SECTOR, 1992 – 2002 (As at Sep, Q3)

Job Vacancies Number Rate (%) GDP Growth (%) (At 1990 Market Prices)

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

3,328 (8.8) 5.1

4,074 (10.1) 4.7

4,078 (8.8) 4.0

4,866 (10.2) 4.2

9,363 (21.2) 5.9

8,315 (18.6) 4.3

2,637 (17.1) 1.4

1,931 (7.7) 1.2

1,836 (5.7) 1.1

1,003 (7.1) 0.6

617 (3.6) 0.4

21.4

12.8

17.5

8.6

20.8

20.8

-0.6

-11.7

3.4

-3.9

-11.0

Sources: Labour Market Survey, MOM; Department of Statistics, MTI Note : Figures in parenthesis refer to job vacancies in the sector as a proportion of total job vacancies.

16

4.3.2 The occupational profile of the construction openings has remained stable in recent years. In September 2002, 74% of vacancies in the sector were for production & related workers, followed by 22% for professional, managerial & technical personnel.

CHART 5: PROPORTION OF TOTAL JOB VACANCIES BY BROAD OCCUPATIONAL GROUP IN CONSTRUCTION, 1995-2002 (As at Sep)

78.5

85.2

84.0

5.7 15.8 1995

76.3

75.8

73.5

73.9

6.4

6.9

4.8

4.1

87.7

4.5

5.4

17.3

17.4

22.0

10.6

3.1 9.2

21.7

10.3 1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

Production & Transport Operators, Cleaners & Labourers Clerical, Sales & Service Workers Professionals, Managers, Executives & Technicians

4.3.3 Jobs with the most vacancies in the sector were for construction labourer & related worker (144), electrician (40), bricklayer (30), plasterer (27) and quantity surveyor (25).

17

4.4

Services

4.4.1 Private sector job vacancies in services rose by 10% from a year ago to 10,612 in September 2002. Notwithstanding the increase, the job vacancy level is only about half the level in 2000. However, as a result of the rebound in manufacturing, the services share of total vacancies fell to 62% from the 68% a year ago. 4.4.2 The gains in services were posted for service, shop & sales workers (882), followed by machine operators (295), cleaners & related workers (267) and clerical workers (78). Losses came from vacancies for professionals (-329), managers (-113), associate professionals & technicians (-51) and production craftsmen (-17). All the service industries registered higher job vacancies, except financial services (-159) and business services & real estate (-67).

TABLE 12 : JOB VACANCIES AND GDP GROWTH IN SERVICES, 1992 – 2002 (As at Sep, Q3)

1992 Job Vacancies Number Rate (%) GDP Growth (%) (At 1990 Market Prices)

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

17,705 19,751 23,154 23,800 21,602 22,907 (46.7) (49.1) (49.8) (49.8) (48.8) (51.3) 4.9 5.2 5.7 5.6 4.8 4.8

6.6

13.6

11.8

8.6

5.5

11.3

1998

8,737 (56.5) 1.8

-2.6

1999

2000

14,899 19,512 (59.3) (60.3) 3.0 3.5

7.6

2001

2002

9,605 (68.0) 1.7

10,612 (61.6) 1.8

-0.2

1.8

9.4

Sources : Labour Market Survey, MOM Department of Statistics, MTI Note : Figures in parenthesis refer to job vacancies in the sector as a proportion of total job vacancies

4.4.3 With 2,576, the transport & communications industry had the most number of openings in the services sector. This was an increase of 419 openings from the previous year, mostly for sales & service workers (291) and machine operators (260). Losses were mostly from professional openings (-112) (e.g. auditing accountant). Jobs with the most vacancies in the sector were trailer truck driver (825), office clerk (181), cabin attendant/ steward (181), bus driver (149) and commercial airline pilot (121). 4.4.4 There were 1,899 openings in the wholesale & retail trade industry, an increase of 123 vacancies from the previous year. The increase was predominantly for clerical workers (76), while the decrease came mostly from sale & service workers (-64). Jobs with the most vacancies in the industry were shop sales assistant (652),

18

cashier (136), sales supervisor (76), sales demonstrator (55) and plastic product machine operator (50). 4.4.5 Comparing 2002 with 2001, hotels & restaurants registered the highest number of increase in job openings (618), within the service sector, to reach 1,659 in September 2002. Gains were registered for all occupational groupings, but predominantly for sales & service workers (347) and cleaners & related workers (196). The top five job openings were for waiter (512), kitchen assistant (179), cook (167), room steward/ chambermaid (99) and bar/lounge hostess (58). 4.4.6 Registering the smallest increase in vacancies (73) within the service sector, the community, social & personal services posted 1,764 openings in September 2002. Increases came mostly from sales & service workers (109) while losses were mostly from associate professionals & technicians (-59). Professional nurses (253) were in greatest demand, followed by hairstylist/ hairdresser (72), beautician (68), sweeper & related worker (58) and waiter (55). 4.4.7 As a result of continued consolidation and restructuring, the number of job vacancies in financial services fell 14% from 1,160 a year ago to 1,001 in September 2002. The drop in openings was mostly for professionals (-176) and managers (-110) but this was partly offset by increases in openings for service & sales workers (86). Demand in the financial services was the highest for customer service clerk (151), management executive (122), office clerk (117), porter (104) and bank teller (90). 4.4.8 Business & real estate also posted slightly lower job vacancies compared with the year before, falling by 67 to 1,713 in September 2002. Most of the fall in openings was for associate professionals & technicians (-87) and professionals (-68) while increases were largely confined to sales & service workers (113). The top 5 occupations with the largest number of job openings in business & real estate were private security guard (337), industrial establishment cleaner (109), office cleaner (102), budgeting & financial accounting manager (26) and accounting auditor (24). 4.4.9 In terms of the share of vacancies in the services sector, openings for professionals, managers & technicians in 2002 fell from 38% to 30% when compared with 2001. This was largely due to the fall in demand for professionals and managers within financial services. Consequently, the share of openings for cleaners, transport & related employees and clerical & sales personnel rose from 23% and 39% to 26% and 45%, respectively.

19

CHART 6: PROPORTION OF TOTAL JOB VACANCIES BY BROAD OCCUPATIONAL GROUP IN SERVICES, 1995-2002 (As at Sep)

17.9

14.5

15.4

15.7

51.4

19.2

44.6

18.1

42.3

60.0

55.6

36.3

22.9

25.5

32.9

39.7

29.0

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

59.3

23.2

25.7

39.0 44.8

37.8 29.6

2001

2002

Production & Transport Operators, Cleaners & Labourers Clerical, Sales, & Service Workers Professionals, Managers, Executives & Technicians

4.4.10 A listing of the top five occupations in terms of job openings within each sector is at Appendix 2.

20

5

BY QUALIFICATION

5.1 2,074 openings (or 12% of private sector job vacancies) required at least a university degree in September 2002. This was 103 openings or 5% less than what was demanded a year ago. In fact, vacancies requiring at least a university degree were the only openings that registered a decline from the previous year. From previous sections, it is not surprising that most of the decrease came from the financial services (-297) industry. This was mitigated by gains mostly from manufacturing (179). The top 5 occupations with the highest number of openings that required degree qualifications were for electronics engineer (105), management executive (100), systems designer & analyst (73), semi-conductor engineer (71), budgeting & financial accounting manager (59) and nurse (59). TABLE 13 : DISTRIBUTION OF JOB VACANCIES BY QUALIFICATION, 2001 & 2002 (As at Sep)

2001

2002

Change

Number

%

Number

%

Number

%

Level in 2002 as a share of 2000 (%)

Total

14,123

100.0

17,229

100.0

3,106

22.0

53.2

University degree and above

2,177

15.4

2,074

12.0

-103

-4.7

38.0

Polytechnic diplomas or its equivalent

2,215

15.7

2,337

13.6

122

5.5

47.5

1,051

7.4

1,424

8.3

373

35.5

51.8

3,790

26.8

4,176

24.2

386

10.2

59.3

2,006

14.2

2,656

15.4

650

32.4

51.3

2,884

20.4

4,562

26.5

1,678

58.2

64.7

Qualification

Post Secondary (Full or partial GCE 'A' level, NTC 1 & 2, ITC or its equivalent)

Secondary (Full or partial GCE 'O' & 'N' level, NTC 3 or certificate of vocational training)

Lower Secondary (Did not attain GCE ‘O’ /’N’ level)

Primary or lower

Source : Labour Market Survey, MOM

5.2 2,337 or 14% of the job openings required polytechnic diplomas or its equivalent in 2002. Polytechnic diploma holders in demand were for occupations like aeronautical engineer (195), nurse (192), office clerk (182), management executive (119) and technical sales representative (55). 5.3 Post-secondary job openings rose significantly by 36% to register 1,424 in 2002. The common job openings requiring post-secondary qualifications 21

were commercial airline pilot (121), electrical engineering technician (90), aircraft engine mechanic (88), bank teller (86) and waiter (50). 5.4 There were 4,176 job vacancies requiring secondary qualifications in 2002, 10% more than last year. Employers were mostly recruiting for occupations such as aircraft engine mechanic (459), shop sales assistant (385), customer service clerk (218), waiter (214) and office clerk (210). 5.5 2,656 job vacancies required only lower secondary education in September 2002 up 32% from a year ago. These openings were mainly for private security guard (283), waiter (198), bus driver (143), shop sales assistant (142) and electronic equipment/ component assembler (133). 5.6 At 4,562, openings requiring primary or lower education registered the highest increase (58%) from a year ago. The increases were recorded across all industries except for construction. The top 5 occupations requiring workers with primary or below qualifications were trailer truck driver (804), electronic equipment/ component assembler (750), sewing machine operator (243), shop sales assistant (232) and plastic product machine operator (208). 5.7 As the total number of job vacancies in private sector establishments with at least 25 employees fell to just over half (53%) the level in 2000, the openings for the various qualification categories also fell significantly short of their levels in 2000. In particular, positions requiring degree qualification fell to just 38% of its level in 2000. This was lower compared to openings requiring non-degree qualifications that managed to sustain 48% - 65% of their openings in 2000. 5.8 A listing of the occupations with the highest number of vacancies by qualification required is at Appendix 3.

22

PART II : PUBLIC SECTOR JOB VACANCIES 6

PUBLIC SECTOR JOB VACANCIES

6.1 The public sector had another 3,613 job openings as at September 2002. More than half (56%) were for professionals/associate professionals, mainly teaching professionals (863), followed by government executives (383), technicians/technical support officers (283) and engineers (176). There were another 1,295 openings for protective service workers: SAF personnel (775), fire fighters (174), SPF police officers (136) and CISCO police officers (100). Clerical workers and cleaners & manual workers made up another 205 and 98 job openings respectively. TABLE 14 : PUBLIC SECTOR JOB VACANCIES, SEPTEMBER 2002

Number of Job Vacancies

Occupation Total

3,613

Professional / Associate Professional

2,013

Teaching Professional

863

Health Professional / Associate Professional (e.g. General Physician, Nurse)

82

IT Professional

78

Engineer

176

Government Executive – Graduate (e.g. Senior Officer, Manager)

383

Management Support Officer – Diploma Holder

76

Technician / Technical Support Officer Other Professional / Associate Professional (e.g. Legal Professional, Accountant) Clerical Worker Protective Service Worker

283 72 205 1,295

CISCO Police Officer

100

SPF Police Officer

136

SAF Personnel

775

Fire Fighter

174

Other Protective Service Worker (e.g. prison guard, life guard)

110

Cleaner, Manual & Related Workers (e.g. office attendant)

98

Others

2 Source : Labour Market Survey, MOM

23

PART III : MATCHING JOB SEEKERS WITH OPENINGS 7

MATCHING JOB SEEKERS WITH OPENINGS

7.1 This section takes a look at the match between the education profile of job seekers in September 2002 and the minimum requirements of available jobs. The vacancies to job seekers ratio4 presented below is predicated on the simplifying assumption that employers would by and large not hire workers who are “overqualified” for available job openings. Hence, it provides only a simplified guide of the relative mismatch between demand and supply by educational categories. CHART 7 : RATIO OF JOB VACANCIES TO JOB SEEKERS BY QUALIFICATION, SEPTEMBER 2002

Degree

0.31

Diploma

0.52

0.63

Post-secondary

Secondary

Lower Secondary

Primary or Lower

0.31

0.34

0.49

Source : Labour Force Survey, MOM Job Vacancy Survey, MOM Note: Diploma includes Professional Qualifications and Other Diplomas. Figures are non-seasonally adjusted.

7.2 Diploma and post-secondary educated job seekers fared better than others with 100 job seekers competing for 52 and 63 vacancies, respectively, in September 2002. However, the same could not be said for those with degree qualifications, with 100 job seekers going after only 31 openings. This is due to the decline in vacancies requiring degree qualifications at a time when the pool of unemployed degree holders hit a record high in 2002 for the September periods. These job seekers fared as badly as those with secondary education (0.31) and slightly worse than those with lower secondary education (0.34). 7.3 Primary or lower educated job seekers faced relatively less competition than many of their more educated counterparts. There were 49 openings available for every 100 candidates with primary or lower education. 4

The ratio is calculated using an estimated number of job vacancies for the whole economy based on the simplifying assumption that private sector establishments with less than 25 employees have the same vacancy rate and education requirements as establishments with at least 25 employees.

24

8

CONCLUDING REMARKS

8.1 The recovery in manufacturing coupled with the consolidation in the finance industry resulted in production operators, cleaners & labourers gaining share of job vacancies largely at the expense of professionals, managers, executives & technicians (PMETs) in 2002. This was a departure from past trend. In the long run, the PMET share of job vacancies is not expected to decline, in view of efforts by economic agencies to attract new investments that will require better educated and higher skilled workers

25

Appendix 1 TOP 5 PRIVATE SECTOR OCCUPATIONS WITH THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF JOB VACANCIES BY MAJOR OCCUPATIONAL GROUP, SEPTEMBER 2002

Occupational Group (SSOC 2000) Managers

Professionals

Occupation

Number of Job Vacancies

Budgeting and financial accounting manager Sales manager Business development manager Administration manager Training manager All Occupations

75 56 41 36 25 592

Aeronautical engineer Electronics engineer (General) Systems designer and analyst Semi-conductor engineer Production engineer All Occupations

201 116 78 72 65 1684

Professional nurse (General) Technicians & Associate Professionals Management executive Mechanical engineering technician (General) Electrical engineering technician (General) Commercial airline pilot All Occupations Clerical Workers

Service & Sales Workers

Production Craftsmen & Related Workers

Plant & Machine Operators & Assemblers

Cleaners, Labourers & Related Workers

253 236 130 122 121 2705

Office clerk (General) Customer service clerk Cashier (General) Bank teller Ledger and accounts clerk All Occupations

421 307 192 90 65 1710

Shop sales assistant Waiter (General) Private security guard Cook Cabin attendant/steward All Occupations

773 603 427 221 181 3309

Aircraft engine mechanic Welder Machinery mechanic (General) Electrician Motor vehicle mechanic All Occupations

548 133 85 58 53 1811

Electronic equipment / component assembler Trailer truck driver Sewing machine operator Plastic product machine operator Metalworking machine setter-operator (General) All Occupations

918 831 297 249 207 3810

Kitchen assistant Construction labourer and related worker Cleaner (Industrial establishment) Office cleaner Room steward / Chambermaid All Occupations

209 181 153 126 107 1601

Source : Job Vacancy Survey, September 2002, MOM

26

Appendix 2 TOP 5 PRIVATE SECTOR OCCUPATIONS WITH THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF JOB VACANCIES BY MAJOR SECTOR, SEPTEMBER 2002

Sector

Manufacturing

Construction

Wholesale & Retail Trade

Hotels & Restaurants

Transport, Storage & Communications

Financial Services

Business & Real Estate

Community, Social & Personal Services

Occupation Electronic equipment / component assembler Aircraft engine mechanic Sewing machine operator Metalworking machine setter-operator (General) Plastic product machine operator All Occupations Construction labourer and related worker Electrician Bricklayer Plasterer Quantity surveyor All Occupations

Number of Job Vacancies 908 543 297 201 199 5825 144 40 30 27 25 617

Shop sales assistant Cashier (General) Sales supervisor Sales demonstrator Plastic product machine operator All Occupations

652 136 76 55 50 1899

Waiter (General) Kitchen assistant Cook Room steward / Chambermaid Bar / Lounge hostess All Occupations

512 179 167 99 58 1659

Trailer truck driver Office clerk (General) Cabin attendant/steward Bus driver Commercial airline pilot All Occupations

825 181 181 149 121 2576

Customer service clerk Management executive Office clerk (General) Porter (except hotel) Bank teller All Occupations

151 122 117 104 90 1001

Private security guard Cleaner (Industrial establishment) Office cleaner Budgeting and financial accounting manager Auditor (Accounting) All Occupations

337 109 102 26 24 1713

Professional nurse (General) Hair stylist / Hairdresser Beautician Sweeper and related worker Waiter (General) All Occupations

253 72 68 58 55 1764 Source : Job Vacancy Survey, September 2002, MOM

27

Appendix 3

TOP 5 PRIVATE SECTOR OCCUPATIONS WITH THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF JOB VACANCIES BY MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIRED, SEPTEMBER 2002

Minimum Qualification Required

University Degree and above

Polytechnic Diploma or its equivalent

Post Secondary Qualifications (Full or partial GCE ’A’ level, NTC 1 & 2, ITC or its equivalent)

Secondary (Full or partial GCE 'O' and 'N' level, NTC 3 & Certificate of vocational training)

Lower Secondary (Did not attain GCE ‘O’/’N’ level)

Primary or lower

Occupation

Number of Job Vacancies

Electronics engineer (General) Management executive Systems designer and analyst Semi-conductor engineer Budgeting and financial accounting manager Professional nurse (General) All Occupations

105 100 73 71 59 59 2074

Aeronautical engineer Professional Nurse (General) Office clerk (General) Management executive Sales representative (Technical) All Occupations

195 192 182 119 55 2337

Commercial airline pilot Electrical engineering technician (General) Aircraft engine mechanic Bank teller Waiter (General) All Occupations

121 90 88 86 50 1424

Aircraft engine mechanic Shop sales assistant Customer service clerk Waiter (General) Office clerk (General) All Occupations

459 385 218 214 210 4176

Private security guard Waiter (General) Bus driver Shop sales assistant Electronic equipment / component assembler All Occupations

283 198 143 142 133 2656

Trailer truck driver Electronic equipment / component assembler Sewing machine operator Shop sales assistant Plastic product machine operator All Occupations

804 750 243 232 208 4562

Source : Job Vacancy Survey, September 2002, MOM

28

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LIST OF REPORTS AND OCCASIONAL PAPERS Title

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