In its latest Workplace Learning Report, LinkedIn revealed the top five skills that hiring managers in Asia Pacific (APAC) consider the most important as using AI in the workplace becomes more commonplace. According to employers surveyed, soft skills and learning ability are “increasingly important.”
“A staggering 88 per cent of employers have observed substantial changes in the skills and qualifications they prioritise in job candidates due to the pervasive impact of AI and automation in their industries. Companies are placing emphasis on candidates who possess not only AI expertise but also soft skills and a capacity for learning,” the report explains.
The report further elaborates that 94 per cent of Learning & Development (L&D) professionals in APAC believe that human skills are increasingly becoming the most competitive in our economy.
In particular, ‘communication’ has topped LinkedIn’s most in-demand skills list for 2024 across all countries in APAC: Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines and Singapore.
“This is not surprising in a new world of work where AI tools are freeing up time for professionals to excel in jobs only people can do, like build relationships and collaborate with others,” it stated.
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In addition, the report also revealed that 40 per cent of APAC hiring managers consider an individual’s potential for growth and ability to learn as the most important factor when evaluating internal and external candidates.
“In the past year, the narrative was dominated by technological advancements, particularly the integration of AI into business workflows. The resulting surge in demand for AI expertise reflected the challenges many businesses face in navigating this transformative shift and incorporating cutting-edge technologies into their operations,” said Feon Ang, Vice President, LinkedIn Talent Solutions and Managing Director, APAC, in a statement.
“However, we are now witnessing a pronounced shift towards technical and soft skills – to thrive in the era of AI. Investing in people’s growth is no longer a perk but a strategic imperative, considering that our workforce is the driving force behind companies’ success in an era shaped by both AI innovation and collaboration with AI.”
What hiring managers are looking for
According to the report, the top five skills considered crucial by APAC hiring managers include problem-solving abilities (35 per cent), communication skills (27 per cent), critical thinking (25 per cent), AI skills (19 per cent), and IT & web skills (17 per cent).
Acknowledging the importance of adapting to the future of work, 91 per cent of companies in the region actively enhance their employees’ skills through initiatives such as online training programmes (44 per cent) and internal learning and development sessions focused on Generative AI (43 per cent).
The commitment to skill development is contributing to a cultural shift, making creating a learning-focused environment a top priority for Learning and Development (L&D) professionals in 2024 across all APAC markets.
A remarkable 92 per cent of L&D professionals in the region believe they can demonstrate business value by empowering employees with the skills needed for internal mobility, enabling them to transition into different roles within the organisation. This strategic focus on fostering a learning culture aligns with the broader trend of companies in APAC prioritising internal mobility as a key factor in attracting and retaining top talent.
The report reveals that 48 per cent of managers in APAC identify providing career progression opportunities as their primary priority, with 37 per cent of hiring managers seeing career growth opportunities as pivotal for retaining talent alongside competitive salary and benefits (39 per cent).
In light of these findings, it is evident that organizations in the APAC region recognise the significance of internal mobility for talent retention and as a key strategy for attracting skilled professionals in the competitive job market.
Highlighting career advancement opportunities and promoting internal mobility are crucial tactics, with 49 per cent of APAC employers endorsing these as the top two methods for attracting talent. This underscores a growing trend where companies place strategic importance on creating pathways for career growth and development to secure and retain the best talent in the years ahead.
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