London-headquartered, global recruitment specialist group, Robert Walters, with regional offices in Southeast Asia, has released its 23rd edition of Salary Survey. Offering updates on trends in salaries and recruitment, the annual report includes insights about hiring markets in Thailand during 2021 and what to expect in 2022.
The annual Robert Walters Salary Survey is a go-to for both employers and professionals within the job market across the region. The report reveals valuable information on recruitment drivers and salary forecasts within different industries and also within individual roles. Expected in-demand skills for the year ahead are also highlighted, creating current and upcoming employment market profiles.
Companies in Bangkok and the Eastern Seaboard (ESB) began to hire again in 2021, after a hiatus in 2020. With work-from-home policies in place during this period, there has been a move toward these new arrangements becoming part of new-normal employment conditions. Meanwhile, the focus during the year has been on increasing demand for local talent as less expatriates are available in the employment pool due to global mobility limitations.
Punyanuch Sirisawadwattana, Country Manager at Robert Walters Thailand explains that 2021 saw continued "high hiring demand in the tech sector, particularly in digital marketing and e-commerce. This is similar within the healthcare, FMCG, manufacturing, supply chain and engineering spaces."
In terms of recruitment, the Covid-19 pandemic has had less impact within Thailand and the ESB in 2021 compared with 2020. However, the rapid rebound in the second half of 2021, sustained in most markets regionally, has been slower in Thailand due to manufacturing being hit so severely during the first waves of the virus. While factory output has been limited, digital and tech industries have experienced a recruitment boost across all sectors. This has been accelerated even further by digital transformation initiatives.
Moving forward in 2022, the trend in the hiring market is set to be based less on traditional working set-ups, with more remote working, plus a greater demand for roles connected to digital advances. Tech-based positions in cybersecurity, sales and marketing, along with roles where candidates can apply their skills without any training, for example, will be able to attract higher salary rises. Increases in 2022 will be in line with the previous year, as benefits and offers are competitively based.
Salary Survey 2022 Insights for Thailand:
- Salary rises of between 10-30 % for job seekers are expected in Thailand in 2022.
- Demand for tech-related positions and skills will increase, leading to a shortfall of candidates as digital transformation impacts all industries.
- Talent offering tech skills can expect to be in high demand with competitive offers, while employers will need to adjust remuneration and benefits to secure hires with a smaller talent pool in technology, automation and analytics.
- While recruitment for local talent is buoyant, positions in which remote working is possible will also attract international candidates who do not need to relocate to Thailand.
- Thailand's manufacturing sector will experience a rebound as it gears up to meet global demand.
- Candidate demand for flexible, hybrid working models and extensive healthcare plans will increase.
- Remote working is on the rise, as are necessary communication skills to be able to connect successfully with colleagues.
- Employee turnover rates will be higher as employees seek to change jobs and attain positions with greater flexibility. However, the pandemic will continue to hold back individuals from the risk of changing jobs, adding to shortfalls in certain areas.
- Adaptability to fast-changing situations will be increasingly valued by employers looking for candidates with active learning skills and a proactive approach.
- Increases in remote working will expand employee diversity, leading to more multi-cultural and inclusive workforces.
- Greater emphasis will be placed on employers having to offer clear reasons for on-site requirements.
The Robert Walters Salary Survey 2022 reports that in Thailand, 96% of professionals working in HR are set to look for a new job in 2022. Across all industries, professionals are confident about new employment opportunities as well as most expecting a pay rise. Along with excellent compensation and benefits, the survey shows that flexible work arrangements, colleagues and culture that inspire employees to do their best, as well as challenging and interesting work were rated highly.
In 2022, digital transformation will create higher demand in many roles. For example, in Financial Services, recruitment relating to 5G rollouts, data analytics and blockchain will rise, expanding opportunities within customer engagement, virtual banking and front office positions. Technology will play an increasing role across more traditional industries in 2022, with skills in EdTech, health tech and automation in manufacturing on the rise.
Hand-in-hand with tech advances, the revolution in remote working potential is set to widen the scope of recruitment. This will embrace a greater focus on diversity and inclusion as companies widen their talent pools. Soft skills, such as an ability to navigate and work well within a remote team environment are also set to become more important. As Punyanuch Sirisawadwattana highlights, this means that, "we will need to be able to connect well, influence and empower others even when we are not based in the same workspace or country. Communication skills will be critical here, as messages must be clear, concise and engaging for teams based remotely."
In the same way, companies that can adapt and react quickly to change will also have an advantage. Part of this entails finding solutions that work along with more creative ways to engage and value employees. This serves to enhance staff retention, with the positive branding of companies within the recruitment market essential to competitively attract candidates.
For more information, please visit www.robertwalters.co.th/