Singapore’s reputation for transparency, stability and liberal policies on data and privacy continues to make the island-state an attractive destination for tech giants.
Despite the COVID-19 crisis, several conglomerates have set up/will be setting up Singapore offices this year, opening up more job opportunities for Singaporeans.
This serves as good news since the pandemic has adversely impacted the job market, causing hiring freezes and retrenchments.
That said, here’s a list of tech giants that are hiring in Singapore in 2020:
Naver
Naver — the tech conglomerate known as the ‘Google of South Korea’ — runs leading apps such as Naver search, Line messaging and Webtoon Comics.
It announced yesterday that it would be relocating its data centre from Hong Kong to Singapore. However, concerns over China’s new National Security Laws were cited.
Under police orders, tech companies must delete or restrict access to content deemed a danger to national security. Refusal to do so is punishable with a fine of HK$100,000 and six months imprisonment.
The new laws in Hong Kong pose tremendous risk and liability to data privacy. Clients and partners of HK-based startups are beginning to turn away from the regional hub, so it’s no surprise that they are eyeing Singapore instead.
Their relocation may be the first in a series of expansions into Southeast Asia away from Hong Kong.
Naver is currently worth US$23.5 billion (S$32.5 billion) and employs over 3,492 employees worldwide. With this relocation, hiring is expected to follow suit.
Apply for their jobs here.
TikTok/Bytedance
Owned by China-based company Bytedance, TikTok announced its decision to cease all operations of the app in Hong Kong earlier this month.
The app giant’s move out was motivated by the need to clean up its global reputation. TikTok has been slapped with multiple lawsuits over everything from facial recognition storage to children’s data.
In response, TikTok has pledged that user data is not stored in China and announced that it will never comply with Beijing’s requests to censor content or grant access to user data.
Bytedance is also considering relocating headquarters from China to overseas destinations like Singapore. Earlier this year, ByteDance shifted operations to larger premises at One Raffles Quay in Singapore’s central business district.
Despite the pandemic, Bytedance is still actively expanding its workforce in Southeast Asia. Over 129 jobs are currently available on Bytedance’s job portal.
Apply for their jobs here.
Snapchat
California-based Snap Inc, the parent company of social media app Snapchat, announced plans to open a Singapore office in the later part of 2020.
The pandemic has increased online traffic for tech apps. Snap’s second-quarter revenue rose 17 per cent in 2020 and an additional 9 million new daily active users, symptomatic of steady growth.
The company stated on 25 June that it would establish a local presence as the pandemic eases.
Since Singapore’s COVID-19 cases have been been steadily dropping and the economy is picking back up in Phase 2, this move seems more than likely.
Southeast Asia has been targeted as a key market by the multimedia app. The app giant has already selected Singapore’s director of SEA development and is actively hiring in Singapore.
Apply for their jobs here.
Tesla
Tesla, the world’s most electric vehicle manufacturer and developer headed by Elon Musk, is now hiring in Singapore.
Tesla is advertising for servicing staff on LinkedIn and other job portals. Currently, only five jobs are available: a parts advisor, service manager, service advisor, vehicle readiness specialist and vehicle service technician.
While this by no means indicates that Tesla is shifting to Singapore, it may be a sign that an expansion is imminent.
Electric vehicles may soon be introduced to Singaporean roads despite Elon’s earlier comments that Singapore is “not interested”.
Apply for their jobs here.
Skills Ignition SG
On 20 July, the Singapore government announced a new training and jobs initiative with partners like Google, Sephora, Trip.com and FNZ. Applications are open until 21 August.
The new program opens 3,000 entry-level and mid-career positions in digital marketing and cloud technology.
Participants will receive three months of vocational training and six months work experience with employers. A monthly training allowance of S$1,500 will be provided.
The courses are SkillsFuture-funded. Google and its training providers have developed a curriculum that will grant participants certificates upon completion.
On-the-job training will be provided for up to 600 applicants. Up to 2,400 mid-career professionals can take full-time training courses. 100 positions will be allocated at Google.
Apply for their jobs here.
Featured Image Credits: Threat Post/ Fortune/ AllKpop/Tech Crunch
