SINGAPORE - There were fewer job openings in Singapore in the third quarter of last year, according to the Manpower Ministry.

In fact, job vacancies saw its first quarterly decline of 13 per cent since March 2009.

After seasonal adjustments, such as discounting hiring peaks during festive periods, job vacancies as at September last year was 48,100, down from 55,300 as at June 2011.

In its latest job vacancies report released today, the Manpower Ministry said job vacancies declined as employers scale back on hiring amid the weaker economic outlook.

Service and sales workers such as waiters, security guards and sales assistants were most in demand.

They accounted for 11,550 or 22 per cent of total vacancies.

This was followed by associate professionals and technicians (9,200, or 17 per cent) and professionals (7,760, or 15 per cent).

Vacancies were available for all educational levels.

The services industry generated three quarters of the openings last year.

Manufacturing accounted for 15 per cent and construction 6.8 per cent of the vacancies.

Nearly two in three vacancies last year required workers with working experience.

In addition, around two in three positions were vacant for less than six months last year.

Amid the tight labour market, the proportion of vacancies unfilled for at least six months rose to 35 per cent last year, up from 33 per cent a year ago.

In absolute terms, there were 18,230 vacancies unfilled for at least six months last year.

Generally, positions for professionals, managers, executives & technicians (PMETs) were less likely to be unfilled for extended periods, with only 14 per cent of such openings vacant for at least six months. CHANNEL NEWSASIA