IT Professionals Need to Upgrade Skills: Kelly

The Business Times,Singapore - 16 Feb 2009

Despite the current economic crisis, IT jobs are still available in SIngapore but IT professionals and fresh graduates need to improve skill sets or learn new ones in order to stay relevant, according to a top official of recruitment firm Kelly Services.

In an interview with BizIT, Kelly Services' Dhirendra Shantilal noted that there's a pool of IT talent in Singapore but companies are becoming more cautious and are only looking primarily at critical or replacement hires.

'In addition, replacement roles have to go through a series of approvals and higher levels of productivity are expected from new hires. Companies are hiring talent who can hit the ground running fron Day One,' Mr Shantilal, who is Kelly Services' Asia-Pacific senior VP, said.

He noted that while the hiring of foreign IT talent by Singaporean companies is expected to go down, at the same time, there's a definate trend of IT professionals from the US and Europe flying to Singapore in search of employment opportunities.

Mr Shantilal noted that there are still many industries which are growing and hiring at a steady rate in Singapore.

'They present avenues and opportunities for IT graduates and professionals including those who are in the Gen Y group. These industries include solar energy, aviation and aerospace.'

'Companies selling IT solutions to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and smaller firms are still growing at a steady rate.'

Mr Shantilal noted that while all Singaporen organisations are having a closer look at their current headcount, lay-offs is the last option being explored for any responsible organisation.

'Selective downsizing in certain functions is being observed based on the business cycle requirements but organisations are definately trying to avoid maass scale lay-offs given the negative publicity involved and motivational and morale issues. A sustaintable organisation is required in order for the company to remain a viable player in the marketplace.'

He noted that many companies are looking for innovative ways to manage headcount and cut costs.

'Some are compelling their staff to go on unpaid leave to cut costs. Temporaary staffing is also viewed and explored as an alternative option to lay-offs.'

Giving a long-term perspective, Mr Shantilal added that while the global economic crisis will pass as it always has, it's crucial for both graduates and professionals - including those in IT - to remain relevant for the future through skills upgrading and training so that they can ride on the upswing that follows.

'To remain relevant in the global workforce that is continuously evolving and chaning, IT professionals need to complement their technical skills with an ever-increasing range of people and business skills as well as keep abreast with the latest industry trends and knowledge.'

 

Source: The Business Times, Singapore