Unprecedented jobs growth across professional

• 94% of employers surveyed expect business conditions to remain stable or improve in the second quarter
• 53% of respondents will be increasing headcount with a strong focus on front line roles
• Staff retention is a major focus for 47% of employers
• Wages inflation is regarded as the leading business challenge for the second quarter

Strong economic growth in China is continuing to drive an unprecedented level of demand for professional workers, according to the latest Michael Page Employment Index.

Of the companies surveyed for the report, 53% will be increasing their staff numbers over coming months in a trend that builds on the strong growth witnessed during the first quarter. This level of hiring activity places China at the forefront of jobs growth across Asia Pacific. As a regional comparison, 47% of employers in Hong Kong will be expanding their headcount in the second quarter, followed by 36% in Singapore and 34% in Australia.

“We have been operating in China since 2003 and this is the strongest start to the year we have experienced by some distance. The professional jobs market is booming and the demand for suitably qualified staff is continuing to outstrip supply in many sectors,” said Mr. Andy Bentote, Managing Director of Michael Page, Northern and Eastern China.

For the majority of employers surveyed for this report (59%), recruitment will be focused on front line, revenue generating roles in fields that include sales and business development. This reflects the aggressive targets many companies have set for business expansion in 2011. Support functions like marketing and human resources are also being expanded and this is the primary focus for 21% of employers.

“China leads the region as a growth market and skilled professionals will continue to benefit from the resulting job opportunities. The challenge for employers will be to attract and retain the best talent in this environment,” said Mr. Bentote.

Almost half of the companies surveyed for this report expect business conditions to strengthen further in the second quarter. For the majority of respondents (57%), managing wages growth is their primary business concern because of the financial incentives required to recruit and retain skilled professionals in a competitive market.

 

Further Information

• Visit the News and Research Centre
• Find out more about our Recruitment Services
• China Michael Page Salary & Employment Forecasts
• Hong Kong Michael Page Salary & Employment Forecasts
• Visit the Salary Centre