The number of job vacancies reached an all-time high in 2021, with a slight uptick in the proportion of non-PMET vacancies as border closures temporarily restricted the inflow of foreign workers. The pandemic has accelerated the trend towards digitalisation, leading to greater demand for technological skills. IT and multimedia development roles remained highly sought after. Engineering professionals and technicians were also in demand, and there was firm hiring for​ business development and sales positions. With a tighter labour market, employers took longer to fill vacant positions. Going forward, with the relaxation of social gathering measures, consumer-facing industries may face persistent strain as some time is required to bring in the necessary manpower. For Manufacturing and Construction, labour shortages are expected to abate as travel restrictions ease further and employment recovers to pre-COVID levels. ​