Job vacancies up 4.4% in Sep 2012

SINGAPORE: The number of job vacancies rose by 4.4 per cent to hit 56,400 in September 2012, amid a tight labour market.

A Ministry of Manpower (MOM) report covering the year up till September 2012 said the biggest number of vacancies was in service and sales, at 12,430, making up 24 per cent of total vacancies.

MOM said this reflected the strong demand for shop sales assistants, waiters, security guards, food service counter attendants, and cashiers and ticket clerks.

The next highest number of vacancies was for associate professionals and technicians at 8,960 vacancies or 17 per cent of total vacancies, followed by professionals, with 8,040 vacancies or 15 per cent of total vacancies.

The tight labour market and moderation in the inflow of foreign workers appeared to have hurt hiring efforts.

The number of vacancies left unfilled for six months or more rose to 20,930. This accounted for 40 per cent of total vacancies in 2012, higher than the 35 per cent or 18,230 vacancies a year ago.

MOM said employers had difficulties hiring locals to fill 66 per cent, or 34,760, of the vacancies.

— CNA/al