Singapore hungry for more foreign tech talent

It needs more workers to lure investments and businesses.

Faced with an ageing population and a crunch in high-tech workers, Singapore is still on the lookout for foreign talent to deal with software programming whilst the city-state is still improving its education system to cope with future demands, Bloomberg reported.

Education minister Ong Ye Kung thinks that a key issue is whether the Lion City has a critical mass of workers that could beef up the economy to lure investments and encourage businesses.

“Talent is very short everywhere in the world -- AI talent, software programmers,” Ong said in an interview.

Also read: Hefty paychecks await web developers in Singapore, but where are the jobs?

Because of this, Singapore will keep loose ends on restrictions for foreign labour in high-end jobs such as in artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, it keeps quota system for lower-skilled industries including construction

“We let them [foreign workers] in because we require a critical mass for the sector to take off, whilst we continue to train Singaporeans for those jobs.”

As one of the world’s most trade-dependent economies, Singapore is gearing itself into a high-tech financial hub and digitally savvy 'Smart Nation'. However, it is hit with its rapidly-ageing population as a quarter of the city-state will be 65 or older by 2030.

“A transformation is required,” Ong said, “A transformation towards an economy that is more innovation-driven, that is more productivity-driven.”

Here's more from Bloomberg.

You're the reader we write for. You're also the person our partners want to reach.

If that sentence describes you — a founder, a C-suite, someone whose attention companies pay good money for — then you already understand why SBR works. We've spent twenty years earning the trust of readers exactly like you. Which is exactly what makes this an interesting place for your company to show up, too.

The ways it can show up are broader than most people assume — thought leadership articles, sponsored content, industry summits across Southeast Asia, regional awards programmes, podcasts, and media placements in print and digital. The right fit depends on what you're trying to do, which is why we'd rather start with a conversation than send a rate card.

If your company has something this audience should know about, we'd like to hear what you're working on.

No rate cards until we understand the brief. It's a better use of everyone's time.

Book a meeting

| Or download the media kit (PDF)

240,000 senior readers quarterly in print Top 1,700 Singapore companies reached

7 markets across Southeast Asia