S'pore IT salaries stable despite fewer hires

SINGAPORE--Despite the local IT and telecommunications industry currently reducing on hiring, salaries in the sector have "remained relatively stable", a recruiter said.

The Kelly Services' Singapore Employment Outlook and Salary Guide 2009/2010 released Wednesday by Kelly Services, revealed that the IT and telecommunications industry has slowed down its hiring efforts so far this year. However, certain talents continue to be in demand by the sector.

Skilled professionals in new media Web technologies, Internet and mobile content development are still in demand, partly because of several initiatives to transform Singapore into an IT hub, the report revealed. These projects include Intelligent Nation 2015 (iN2015).

In addition, the improvements in technology development across the industry also fueled the demand for such skills, according to the report.

Dhirendra Shantilal, vice-president of Kelly Services, Asia-Pacific, told ZDNet Asia in an e-mail, companies are looking primarily at critical or replacement hires.

Despite the declining rate of hiring, salaries in the IT industry have "remained relatively stable", Shantilal said. There is "literally no change" in the salary levels since last year, he added.

However, Shantilal cautioned that IT job seekers will have to manage expectations in terms of salary, location of work and job scope. Salaries and benefits will vary depending on the skill level and market demand.

"While there are many opportunities for strong and experienced talent as well as new graduates, we expect a year of cautious hiring. Singapore's tepid employment climate and outlook means that remuneration will remain competitive and more organizations will choose performance-based incentives over bonuses to reward employees", Shantilal said.

"The global economic crisis will pass as it always has and it is crucial for graduates and professionals, including those in IT to remain relevant for the future through skills upgrading and training so that we ride the upswing that follows", Shantilal said in the e-mail.

He added that IT professionals will have to complement their technical skills with an ever-increasing range of people skills and update themselves with the latest industry trends and knowledge to stay competent.

Based in Singapore, Konrad Foo is an intern with ZDNet Asia.