HCM CITY — Demand for new staff at the country’s enterprises increased in the first quarter, according to job recruitment agencies.

Recruitment demand for middle- and senior-level staff rose by 73 per cent in the first quarter compared to the same period in 2016, according to Navigos Search, the leading provider of executive search services in Việt Nam.

The recruitment demand for the entire year of 2016 increased by 54 per cent compared to the previous year.

For the first quarter of 2017, most of the positions were in manufacturing, IT, consumer goods and retail, banking and finance, and business services.

The business service industry was in the top five for the first time. Most of the jobs in this category were in enterprises specialising in financial advice, management advice, promotion and advertising, and education.

In the manufacturing industry, enterprises in industrial construction and civil construction had the highest demand, followed by electricity and electronics.

In consumer goods, the highest demand came from enterprises in food and beverages, and fashion and cosmetics.

Several global fashion brands have recently received legal business certificates in the country and are recruiting employees, with the support of recruitment agencies such as Navigos Search.

The “hot” positions are related to marketing, sales, human resources and administration.

A report released on March 28 from the HCM City Human Resources Forecast and Labour Market Information Centre showed that recruitment demand in the city in the first quarter rose by 35 per cent compared to the same period last year.

As of February 28, operating licences were granted to more than 4,400 new enterprises, according to the city’s Department of Planning and Investment.

In the first quarter, jobs were especially needed in services, textile-footwear, logistics, real estate and IT.

Most of the demand in services, textile-footwear and logistics is for manual workers, accounting for nearly 41 per cent of the total demand in HCM City, an increase of three times compared to the fourth quarter of 2016.

In the second quarter, the centre forecasts that city enterprises will need to fill 72,000 jobs.

The textile-garment sector continues to have the highest demand, four times more compared to the fourth quarter of 2016.

Employees trained in design and sewing are especially needed.

IT staff

Navigos Search’s report released early this week on recruitment demand for IT senior and mid-level managers in the first quarter showed that demand increased significantly for developers and engineers specialising in embedded software.

Demand at many IT companies has doubled compared to last year.

Though there is a shortage of qualified and experienced developers and IT engineers in the country, the most serious problem is limited English proficiency.

Many companies have had to change hiring practices because of the need for staff with a high level of English.

IT companies in the past put technical skills as a priority, but are now testing for English skills first and offering technical training to employees who need it.

Many employers in the mobile application sector, for example, are willing to train potential employees in new technologies, but the lack of English skills is a challenge for international companies who want to invest in Việt Nam’s IT market. — VNS