The Philippines recorded a high employment growth forecast of 86.7 percent for e-commerce jobs, reflecting positive business in the country, according to a study commissioned by the Department of Trade and Industry.
In the Job Outlook Survey, the Philippines registered an 86.7 percent E-commerce Job Outlook Index (EJI) for the first time in the baseline study, reflecting a positive business outlook. E-Commerce Job Outlook is the forecast of the rate of employment growth or decline in occupation.
The study undertaken by Acquisition Apps, Inc. (AAI)/Tangere, a market research start-up that created a diffusion index similar to the Purchasing Manager’s Index.
The Job Outlook Survey revealed that most companies require Digital Marketing Specialist (52%), followed by a Social Media Specialist (38%), Account Manager (26%), Content Strategist/Writer (20%), Data Analyst/Business Intelligence (20%), and Quality Assurance Specialist (20%). It was also shown the soft skills are also critical such as communication, persuasion, critical thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability as these are what HR recruiters and HR heads claim they look for primarily among applicants.
Digital talents in the Philippines can either have formal or informal education or training, the study revealed. While recruiters are open to non-degree holders, college graduates are still preferred for entry-level jobs. The Job Outlook Survey also revealed that Facebook and job websites such as LinkedIn, are major talent sourcing channels by the respondents.
Meantime, DTI also cited an online study, which showed that 75 percent of HR managers in companies engaged in e-commerce interviewed said that the e-commerce sector is thriving and there is a need to hire additional talents in the country.
DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez explained during the 2nd meeting of the E-Commerce Promotion Council also validated a study conducted by Google, Temasek, and Bain & Company in 2021 which named the Philippines as the fastest growing internet economy in Southeast Asia.
Lopez, however, acknowledged the need for upskilling and reskilling of workers. The reported noted that “talent remains a key factor that all parties will need to keep working toward ensuring that the momentum gained this year is sustained.”
“One of the key strategies of the e-Commerce Philippines 2022 Roadmap is to make available a talent pool of digitally skilled workers. Skills mismatch has often been cited as a perennial problem in various industries and if we are to achieve maximum growth for the e-commerce sector, we must understand the e-commerce workforce ecosystem and identify the demand requirement so we can supply relevant skills,” the trade chief said.
Lopez added that one of the key findings of the Job Outlook study identified the differing needs of e-commerce enterprises, with micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) requiring more digital talent in the areas of content creation and technical skills (website development, software developers), while large companies require digital talents on business intelligence and strategy.
Further, Lopez said that the Job Outlook Survey provided relevant information such as the tasks, skills, foundational courses, and pay scale of various jobs in e-commerce.
The E-Commerce Job Outlook Survey was developed by AAI/Tangere, one of the top 100 Startups in the world based on the Microsoft Emerge X Program. It was conducted from January 10 to February 10 and employed both qualitative and quantitative approaches, utilizing Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) among e-commerce merchants, intermediaries, training institutions, and professional organizations.
Meanwhile, the online survey among HR heads or managers of companies engaged in e-commerce was done from March 1 to 11, 2022.