Engineering Market Update Report

Engineering sector gearing up for a busy 2021

The Engineering sector in Singapore has been heavily impacted by COVID-19. This has largely been due to the closure of sites and the inability to continue projects with some companies forced to downsize.

In recent months, there have been some positive signs with sites beginning to reopen and design work resuming. Government funded projects such as LTA, PUB and HDB projects have provided a much-needed boost to the industry and economy.

Companies with Data Centre projects have been steadily recruiting mid to senior mechanical and electrical Engineers with mission critical facilities experience such as Data Centre, laboratories, hospitals, and clean room design. This sector has remained stable despite the market uncertainties as projects are still in design stages and engineers are able to continue with design work remotely.

Across civil engineering, recruitment is beginning to pick up as sites slowly reopen and work for the North-South Corridor, Jurong Region Line and Cross Island Line resume. There is an upward surge in mid to senior level civil engineers specifically with infrastructure experience.

Public projects like Punggol Digital District and reclamation works in the western side of Singapore have also resumed, which has resulted in a demand for Engineers with smart technology and sustainability design experience.

There is no doubt it has been a tough year for many businesses and employees, however, there is evidence we are turning the corner in the built sector. We continue to experience an uptick in demand for mid-level to senior Engineers up to mid-2021 as most tenders resume.

Data centre and public sector projects creating jobs

Despite the tough climate in 2020, we have seen an increase in demand for Engineers with Data Centre and infrastructure experience.

With projects such as NSC, JRL, CRL, Tuas Mega Port, Data Centre and public sector projects forecasted to resume within the first half of next year, we can remain optimistic and expect gradual growth in recruitment across these sectors along with the resumption of tender and project awarding processes. This is expected to create new job opportunities. At present, engineering consultancies are taking a strategic approach to hiring to ensure business continuity.

Recruitment Highlight

Salary levels expected to lift as demand for talent increases in 2021

Salaries remain stable as candidates move for minimal uplifts, favouring employers. As we see more projects going to tender and being awarded, the demand for talent will in turn push salary levels upwards to pre Covid levels.