frontline workers in the Asia-Pacific region

Offering career development and upskilling opportunities is becoming increasingly crucial for attracting and retaining frontline workers, especially as these industries face significant skill gaps and labour shortages. For instance, China projects a shortage of 30 million skilled blue-collar workers in manufacturing by 2025, while Vietnam struggles to find workers with specialised skills like high-precision engineering.

Frontline workers themselves see the importance in upskilling, especially in technology and AI. A survey of retail workers in Singapore found that 96% of those not currently using AI would welcome its integration if it improved their day-to-day work experience. One way to do this would be to equip frontline workers with the tech skills needed to use digital systems which can minimise time spent on monotonous tasks. This would not only reduce tedious workload for frontline workers, but also increase overall efficiency and productivity for the organisation, a win-win situation for both.

Career stagnation concerns in frontline positions often deter younger workers from staying for the long term, as these roles are viewed as having limited advancement opportunities. This perception of constrained professional growth contributes significantly to higher employee turnover rates in the industry. As such, career development initiatives like mentorship programs and clear job progression paths can serve to attract and retain frontline workers. Malaysia's Subang Jaya Medical Centre has implemented a strong mentorship and training program for new nurses, which not only accelerates their learning process but also improves job satisfaction and retention. Similarly in the manufacturing industry, North Vietnam companies that offer stability and advancement opportunities in their factories have seen increased employee loyalty, even in the face of slightly lower wages. This highlights the importance of providing opportunities for training and career advancement in retaining employees.

Addressing the distinct challenges confronted by frontline workers is essential for an organisation’s success. While this group share similar needs as office-based employees, they require customised solutions to address their unique challenges. To support their frontline workforce, organisations should introduce both employee-focused initiatives such as skill development programs and policies targeting engagement, as well as strategic workplace design modifications.