The reshaping of global supply chains under the macro-economic environment is profoundly changing the structure of local labor market demands. This non-AI-driven wave of change requires local talent to undertake long-term skill upgrading and role transformation.

I. The Impact of Supply Chain "Localization" and "De-risking"

To counter geopolitical risks and global supply/demand disruptions, companies are shifting production and sourcing closer to home or neighboring regions.

• Growth in Local Advanced Manufacturing Jobs: "Supply chain localization" is driving the recovery and upgrading of local manufacturing. The demand for local talent is no longer for simple assembly line workers but for advanced technical professionals with expertise in automation, digital process management, and sustainability.

• New Requirements for "T-Shaped Talent": Supply chain de-risking requires T-shaped talent with cross-functional capabilities. They must possess not only deep specialization in one area but also the breadth to collaborate effectively with departments like procurement, logistics, and information security.

II. New Job Demand Driven by Green Transition

The global focus on climate change and the shift to a green economy are creating a range of completely new jobs, a sector that is projected to see the fastest job growth in the next five years.

• Scarcity of Sustainability Professionals: Demand for Sustainability Specialists and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) compliance personnel is exploding. The core responsibility of these roles is to help companies achieve net-zero targets and ensure their supply chains meet global environmental standards.

• The "Greening" of Traditional Roles: Almost all traditional roles require an upgrade in "green skills." For example, finance personnel need to learn "green accounting," and engineers must master "circular design."This necessitates corresponding adjustments in local education and training systems.

III. Structural Changes and Challenges in the Labor Market

The shift in macro trends brings net job growth but also challenges related to structural imbalance.

• Widening Skills Gap: Despite the overall increase in jobs, the "skills gap" between traditional skills and new job requirements is widening. Companies will place greater emphasis on internal talent promotion and Upskilling/Reskilling through on-the-job training to bridge this gap, rather than solely relying on external recruitment.

Summary

The reshaping of global supply chains and the green transition are the twin engines driving long-term change in the local talent market. Local talent must shift focus from traditional expertise to deeper areas like cross-functional collaboration, process digitalization, and sustainability to seize the opportunities in this structural growth phase.