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Manila, Philippines | Xinhua | Digital skills are increasingly in demand in Asia-Pacific, with 75 percent of employers in four countries reporting a rise in demand for new hires with digital skills over the last five years, according to a new joint report by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and LinkedIn released on Thursday.
According to the survey, most employers in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia and the Philippines now consider digital skills, such as proficiency with collaboration tools or basic Internet skills for commerce, as essential workplace skills.
Eighty-nine percent of survey respondents agreed that digital credentials will become a critical part of higher education. Most believe that digital certificates will complement traditional qualifications and be necessary for entry-level positions in key sectors.
The study finds that advanced skills such as coding and programming are gaining ground. Employers surveyed required eight of the last 10 candidates hired in the past year to possess at least basic digital literacy and skills, and four of the last 10 hires to have advanced digital skills.
“The digital economy in Asia and the Pacific is growing at great speed. As digital transformation reshapes jobs in the region, there is an urgent need to invest in digital skills and talent,” said ADB Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department Director General Bruno Carrasco.
The study shows that digital hiring has been highly resilient during the pandemic and provides relevant, data-driven insights for governments, industry and the international community on shifts in the markets for jobs, skills and credentials.
“The COVID-19 pandemic prompted a drastic change in how people work. Digital transformation drove demand for digital jobs and digital skills, and we know this will continue,” said LinkedIn Vice-President Dave Woodward.
