Growing demand for tech-savvy talents

THERE’S a growing need to fill jobs that involve technology, data and analytics.

However, the supply of candidates for such jobs seems to fall short of the demand.

A survey by JobStreet Malaysia this year showed that 96% of employers believe the talent landscape will be skewed towards digital skills.

But there is limited supply of these skills in the market, says its country manager Gan Bock Herm.

“Some 60% of employers have implemented digital or automation technologies in their companies.

“New job roles are created based on the top five digital skills required.

“These five skills are digital marketing, software and application development, e-commerce, big data and analytics, as well as database and customer relationship marketing,” he says.

A report by LinkedIn also showed that the need for digital talent is fast growing but supply is comparatively low.

The company’s 2019 Emerging Jobs in Malaysia Report says Malaysia, like other countries, is facing a challenge in building its digital workforce.

LinkedIn communications head (South-East Asia and North Asia) Linda Lee says digital competency is in high demand, together with soft skills.

“Traditional roles have evolved into hybrids that did not exist five years ago.

“The top emerging jobs for Malaysia – data scientist, full stack engineer, drive test engineer, user experience designer and content writer – are all related to technology,” she says.

Many jobs also require soft skills such as management and communication, making them hybrids of new and traditional roles.

“That’s why it’s important to build a learning culture where we can equip ourselves with core skills and soft skills,” Lee says.

Hays Malaysia business director Sarah Tanoue says tech-savvy candidates will have an upper hand across functions.

“Strong communication and problem-solving abilities also continue to be the top soft skills sought after by employers,” she adds.

ManpowerGroup country manager (Malaysia and Indonesia) Sam Haggag says the world is in the midst of a “skills revolution”.

“Technology is transforming organisations and skill needs are changing rapidly.

“People with in-demand skills, who can continually learn and adapt, can call the shots,” he says.

Nevertheless, he says employers still place increasing value on human strengths as machines prove better at routine tasks.

“Human strengths include communication, collaboration and creativity, as well as traits like empathy, relationship-building, cognitive ability, curiosity and the desire to learn.

“Human strengths are skills that will augment technology and reduce the threat of replacement by automation,” Haggag adds.