ONLINE professional work networking site LinkedIn said emerging occupations in the Philippines point to the growing need for workers to have “hybrid skills” in technology, management and communication.
In a statement on Monday, LinkedIn’s 2019 Emerging Jobs in the Philippines Report produced the following top five, after analyzing millions of user-input occupations from the last five years:

1. Data Scientist

2. Application Development Analyst

3. Back End Developer

4. Full Stack Engineer

5. Sales Development Representative

LinkedIn Vice-President of Talent and Learning Solutions for the Asia-Pacific Feon Ang stressed that while there is great demand for digital competency, soft skills are also just as sought after.
“Traditional roles have evolved into hybrids that did not exist five years ago. While the top emerging jobs for the Philippines are mostly related to technology, many of them require soft skills such as management and communications skills, making them hybrids of new and traditional roles,” Mr. Ang said.
Automation has allowed the Business Processing Outsourcing (BPO) Sector to evolve as it rises in the value chain. The LinkedIn report said core competency areas in data analytics, cyber security, blockchain, digital commerce, and fintech are just some digital skills that are needed in the BPO sector.
Despite the demand for employees with digital competencies, LinkedIn said the local supply of qualified workers is low. LinkedIn recommends that companies invest in “upskilling” workers by training them to progress their skills.
“A forward-thinking organisation should read the signals the government is sending — until the new talent graduates and enters the labor market, upskilling is going to be key to staying ahead. The reality is demand will outpace supply of talent, and that poses a huge recruitment challenge,” the report said. — Gillian M. Cortez

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