Singapore sees drop in remote work opportunities and increase in skill-based hiring

According to the latest data from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), the number of job vacancies offering remote work in Singapore dropped to 21% in 2022 from 31% the previous year. This was due to the normalization of remote work trends as more workplace activities resumed on-site when pandemic-related restrictions eased in 2022. However, vacancies for professionals, managers, executives, and technicians (PMET) were still more likely to offer remote working options than non-PMET roles. Additionally, certain sectors, such as construction, did not have many remote work options due to the nature of the work.

The report also found that employers in Singapore were less likely to consider academic qualifications when hiring new employees. In 74% of vacancies in 2022, academic qualifications were not the main determinant in hiring, which indicates a shift towards skill-based hiring. For PMET vacancies where qualifications were not the main determinant, skills and work attitude of the job applicant were the key considerations. This trend has been gaining momentum in Singapore since 2017.

The number of job vacancies in Singapore remained elevated compared to pre-pandemic levels, with PMET roles forming the majority of these vacancies. Newly created positions made up 39% of all job vacancies, with the Information and Communications sector having the highest proportion (69%) for new positions. Meanwhile, the proportion of replacement vacancies increased to 61% in 2022 from 56% the previous year as employers were actively looking to fill positions left vacant during the pandemic.