Unattractive pay, unfavourable schedule hamper hiring for semi-skilled roles in 2024

Roles often remain unfilled for over six months.

The hiring market for semi-skilled roles faced persistent challenges during the year, including physically demanding conditions, unattractive pay, unfavourable work schedules, and unappealing work environments, according to a Jobstreet by Seek report.

The report cited the Ministry of Manpower statistics which highlighted hard-to-fill vacancies for waiters, cleaners, and customer service, often remaining unfilled for over six months.

Between Q1 and Q3 of 2024, the Jobstreet platform experienced more than tripled growth in retail industry job postings, reflecting the fast turnover and high demand for semi-skilled roles.

Additionally, the platform highlighted the top five most applied-for roles to be admin clerk, warehouse assistant, sales promoter, service crew, and facilities maintenance assistant.

Meanwhile, the top five most in-demand positions included admin clerk, sales promoter, general worker, technician, and service crew.

Looking ahead, Jobstreet forecasts advancements in technology will continue to reshape skill requirements, making digital literacy and adaptability critical for job seekers across industries.

Furthermore, ongoing government initiatives to support lower-wage workers will likely create more opportunities for upskilling and career advancement.