What Pinoy tech talents want in the workplace
THE Philippines tech sector is on the hunt for top-skilled tech professionals as local enterprises, which are embracing digital transformation through AI and the cloud, seek to enhance their digital infrastructure as we kick off the new year.
The demand for top tech talent far outstrips supply, and companies are now tasked with cultivating a more attractive work culture for a younger demographic — one that resonates with the aspirations and values of today’s tech workforce, often in their 20s and 30s.
These aspirations extend beyond strictly financial incentives and involve a career trajectory that not only provides for their financial needs but also caters to their desire for personal and professional fulfillment.
This shift in priorities reflects a broader evolution in the workforce, where the parameters for selecting an employer are increasingly multifaceted.
Today’s Millennial and Gen Z tech talents are not always won by the highest bidder, but by those organizations able to demonstrate a commitment to supporting their evolving needs.
Beyond the paycheck
Companies must ensure that the pursuit of technology innovation is matched by an equally innovative approach to talent management and organizational culture. My own experience, derived from working with hundreds of developers across Japan and the Philippines, reveals insights into the priorities of this generation.
The pursuit of work-life balance is highly sought after in the tech sector. Pandemic-era findings from Robert Walters highlight a pronounced preference among Filipino workers for flexible arrangements — 8 in 9 workers reflect being satisfied with the post-pandemic remote work model. The desire for flexible work hours and a culture that nurtures a healthy balance between personal life and professional commitments is borne out by the research.
The physical and logistical aspects of the workplace are increasingly under scrutiny. For instance, firms can include the introduction of recreational breakout areas to foster connection and creativity away from the traditional office desk.
An emphasis on opportunities for professional growth must include initiatives that encompass training programs, mentorship, engagement in challenging and innovative projects, and clear paths to career progression.
A significant driver for tech professionals is the opportunity to engage with advanced technologies such as Kotlin and Ktor programming languages, as well as work in evolving technological fields such as cloud computing, AI, and machine learning. Over 57 percent of workers want their organization to provide skilling initiatives at scale and at every level, according to a survey by Adecco.
As many firms in the Philippines have transitioned to a more serious digital transformation of their operations in recent years, there is a necessity for a skilled tech workforce to be readily available at the national and local levels. Both employers and the public sector (i.e., government and education institutions) must provide opportunities for technology skill development.
For many IT professionals in the country, including in emerging tech hubs like Cebu, job security is still a chief concern, especially in regions where many tech roles are outsourced. Positions at companies known for their sustained market presence or steady growth, particularly publicly traded ones, are in high demand due to the stability they provide.
The need for technology-related roles and expertise will continue outstripping supply as Southeast Asian economies move away from manual, paper-based processes and embrace digital.
Work with purpose
The opportunity to work in environments that not only push the boundaries of technology but also offer exposure to a personal interest, such as a different culture or travel, may also be a factor for tech professionals when choosing their employers. This trend is especially pronounced among those who seek to integrate their interests and values with their professional lives.
For instance, individuals who are passionate about Japanese culture, such as anime or video games, may find roles at companies from that country especially rewarding on a personal level, allowing them to immerse themselves in these interests while contributing to their professional field.
As awareness around environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues grows, tech companies must consider how they can best demonstrate a commitment to addressing these concerns in a way that appeals to a younger demographic of talent and new graduates.
This shift reflects a broader desire in the tech sector to work for organizations that are not just innovating for profit but are also making a positive impact on the world, such as through tree-planting programs or other initiatives.
According to a recent Global Labor Market Survey by Gartner, 61 percent of tech employees stated they would leave their current organization to be part of an organization with a higher level of social responsibility.
Taking into account all these factors, companies will not only be able to attract the best talent in the year ahead but also retain it, maintaining a competitive edge in the Philippines’ fast-moving tech talent wars.
Jay Pegarido is the director and country manager at Sansan Global Development Center Inc., a software collaboration and development hub based in Cebu. The center was established in 2023 by Japanese tech company Sansan Inc., a global cloud-based solutions provider.