Companies that provide and support training and development opportunities for their ICT staff are more likely to retain valuable IT talent. The findings of the Singapore Computer Society (SCS) Infocomm Survey 2010 show that these employees generally feel that they are well equipped to perform the level of work expected of them. As a result, they also enjoy higher job satisfaction.
About 40 per cent of ICT professionals said they are happy in their current jobs. |
The SCS survey, which is conducted annually, covered 1,716 ICT respondents this year, including 1,024 ICT professionals and 692 polytechnic and university ICT students. “SCS wants to look at the supply side statistics to understand the needs and issues concerning the ICT professionals and students in Singapore and to help government agencies and other employers shape policy in such fields,” said Mr Robert Chew, Chairman of the SCS Infocomm Survey Committee.
The survey findings, which closely mirror that of the previous year, indicate that a good salary package is the main reason that attracts the respondents to the IT industry, said Mr Chew. “This is followed by opportunities for career advancement and demand for ICT jobs. Fit with personality and respect and prestige of the IT job followed in fourth and fifth placing.”
Among ICT professionals, Mr Chew noted that about 60 per cent of the respondents said they are happy in their current jobs, while three in 10 hope to change their jobs and look for another ICT job with a different employer. The remaining respondents express that they are either neutral or wish to stay with their current employer.
More than half, or 59 per cent of respondents working as ICT professionals, prefer to work in multinational corporations. This is followed by public sector organisations, large local organisations and start-up organisations. Small and medium sized local organisations or SMEs have the least draw.
About 21 per cent of these respondents would like to work for the financial sector, 18 per cent in IT services, 12 per cent in IT software development, 7 per cent each in IT research and development, and education.
Preferred job roles are in project management, as indicated by 19 per cent of ICT professionals who responded to the survey, while 11 per cent see Chief Information Officers/Chief Technology Officers as the plum role for the profession. Another 11 per cent favoured ICT management roles.
The survey also found that educational level correlates with the ability to perform at the workplace, which is also known as self-efficacy. Those who hold a Bachelor’s degree or other Postgraduate degrees consistently report a higher level of self-efficacy compared with those holding diploma or secondary certification, said Mr Chew.