Recruitment in Thailand has been an exciting place to be over the past year. While challenges and opportunities were available to Thai businesses, with increasing digitalisation and advancements in technology, and globalisation, a shortage of skilled candidates made it a challenging market. We’ve discussed how those changes affected jobseekers looking to move roles, but here’s how 2022 shaped the recruitment market for employers in Thailand.
Big trends affecting recruitment in Thailand last year
1. Global crises caused fluctuating employment rates
The global economy continued to experience shocks in 2022. Supply chain difficulties and the increasing costs of energy have slowed recovery in the manufacturing and engineering sectors, among others. This has meant different sectors continue to experience fluctuations in employment levels with tech recovering quickly – unsurprisingly - as other sectors struggle.
2. Increasing interest from overseas businesses
Thailand offers a wealth of opportunities for businesses from the manufacturing, supply chain and engineering sectors. The favourable conditions have attracted interest from large international corporations from the UK, EU and US and is fuelling demand for candidates in those sectors with high-level English skills and who are a good cultural fit.
3. Widespread consequences of digitalisation
Digital technologies are impacting all areas of business in Thailand. The increasing digitalisation of the economy has allowed skilled candidates to work remotely and attracted an influx of international businesses to Thailand in 2022. It is also behind the increasing demand for digital, IT and technical skills from all businesses.
Our predictions for recruitment trends in 2023
Many of these factors will be prevalent as we head into 2023. But there are several emerging trends that we predict will have a huge impact on how recruiting in engineering, supply chain and manufacturing may change in 2023. Here are our top five recruitment trends to look out for:
1. An even greater focus on ED&I in leadership roles
Large multinational companies operating in Thailand are extremely aware of the importance of strong Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I) policies. Companies that embrace gender diversity amongst leadership teams are more competitive and more profitable than those that don’t. Not to mention diverse companies are more attractive to younger workers with 47% of millennials looking for ED&I commitments from their employers.
2. Recession does not necessarily mean fewer opportunities
A dichotomy is emerging between those businesses who are anticipating a recession and those who are experiencing significant growth in their fields. Those who are experiencing growth are open to entering new regions and markets. Thailand is especially attractive to overseas manufacturing and engineering businesses seeking to expand or relocate.
Opportunities to hire talent in such a market are high as skilled candidates may be looking to transfer from industries and businesses who are struggling.
3. Candidates with technical skills will continue to be highly sought after
Technical and digital skills will remain in high demand. It is estimated that there are 10 million manufacturing roles currently unfilled due to a lack of technically-skilled candidates. As a result, employers are on the lookout for candidates with easily transferable skillsets who can be brought in from other industries.
The digitalisation and transformation of the Thai manufacturing, engineering, and logistics sectors means leaders in those industries will be looking for candidates with cyber security, Cloud, IT infrastructure and project management skills.
4. An escalating need for English skills
Thailand is an attractive destination for foreign investors and international businesses thanks to solid economic growth, tax breaks for companies relocating to Thailand and government support for manufacturing and digital businesses. With Thailand as a commercial focal point in South-East Asia, demand for employees with proficiency in English remains high.
5. Employers must focus on retention
As employers struggle to recruit candidates with digital, English and technical skills there will be a greater focus on retention going into 2023. This comes as candidates re-evaluate what they want from the workplace, with a recent study suggesting up to 73% of employees in Thailand would consider moving roles if salaries don’t increase.
Candidates are also weighing up the pros and cons of higher salaries versus professional development opportunities. We call this the “earn vs learn dilemma.” Whilst higher salaries are attractive in the short term, smart employers can attract and retain high-calibre candidates by offering training in business-critical skills, technical skills and leadership skills.
Take advantage of 2023’s Thai recruitment trends with JacksonGrant
Are you a manufacturing, engineering and technical businesses looking to attract and retain the best talent for your business in Thailand? Our expert consultants get right to the heart of your needs and, using their in-depth knowledge of Thailand’s exciting recruitment market, can build you a recruitment strategy that is both cost-effective and achieves the right outcomes for your business.
Whether you're based locally or are an overseas organisation looking to break into the Thai markets, we can find high-quality candidates who are knowledgeable in international and local engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, infrastructure, life sciences and digital & technology industries.
Get in touch to set up a free consultation or submit a job vacancy today.