Philippine job market shifts toward AI skills, part-time roles
The Philippine labor market is shifting toward part-time roles and high-tech specialization as companies lean into artificial intelligence (AI) to drive growth, according to the latest data from Jobstreet by SEEK.
Call center and customer service positions remained the most sought-after roles in the first quarter of 2026, representing 13.9 percent of all listings on the platform.
Accounting roles followed closely at 12.5 percent, while information and communication technology roles accounted for 12.4 percent of total vacancies.
Other sectors rounding out the top rankings include administration and office support at 11.8 percent, and manufacturing, transport, and logistics at 10.7 percent.
The report showed a 35 percent year-over-year surge in part-time job postings, with more than 4,000 new roles added this year. Jobstreet attributed this spike to a growing appetite for global talent and the normalization of hybrid and remote work models. The evolution suggests companies are increasingly prioritizing cost-efficiency while candidates seek better work-life balance.
While traditional roles in sales, engineering, and retail continue to hold significant market share, the portal noted a “remarkable rise” in specialized positions, specifically for AI engineers and data analysts. This transition is being fueled by companies embedding machine learning and automation into their core operations, leading to a forecast for increased “human-in-the-loop” roles. These positions require experts to oversee and optimize AI systems, ensuring that automated processes remain aligned with business goals.
Dannah Majarocon, Managing Director for Jobstreet by SEEK in the Philippines, said the future of the local workforce is anchored on trust and augmentation rather than total replacement.
She noted that while AI is fundamentally changing workflows, it is creating emerging roles that allow employees to shift their focus toward high-level critical decision-making. The trend underscores an urgent need for candidates to engage in continuous upskilling to remain competitive.
To address the evolving demand, Jobstreet by SEEK is partnering with the Department of Labor and Employment for the 124th Labor Day Job Fair. The initiative, which begins May 1, aims to connect jobseekers with more than 115,000 opportunities across 88 sites nationwide.