Press Release
April 18 th, 2024
Sibiu
ABSL: Digitalization and Technological Advancements Transform the Labour Market in Sibiu
The Association of Business Service Leaders in Romania (ABSL) is organizing today in Sibiu the Business Mixer “Embracing Change in the Current Business Services Industry”, bringing together over 100 industry specialists from the local business community.
During the event, companies discuss the impact of recent legislative and fiscal changes on the labour market, the transformation of workspaces and the impact on the environment and social responsibility. One of the most important topics on the agenda is technology and its impact on the labour market. The integration of Generative Artificial Intelligence with automation and other emerging technologies could contribute up to 3.5 percentage points annually to productivity growth. However, employees will require support in acquiring new skills, as some roles and job functions will undergo significant changes.
“In our industry, where human capital is essential, we estimate that by 2030, 60% of job requirements will focus on skills such as creativity, teamwork, proactivity, adaptability, and digital proficiency, with a strong demand for employees with a technical or economic background,” explains Ciprian Dan, ABSL President.
According to ABSL’s latest annual report, procurement, HR, IT, and customer operations services are the most commonly provided services by business service companies in Sibiu. The evolution of employees providing these services is closely linked to technological advancements, offering numerous opportunities for professional growth.
“The current challenge is to keep pace with the changes happening around us. Technology is evolving is advancing rapidly, making continuous learning a key factor. Education does not stop at graduation; it must continue throughout life. Those who understand this will have no difficulty adapting to new labor market requirements, regardless of how it evolves,” says Dan-Sas Achim, Head of Operations, Teleperformance Romania.
The demand for specialists in fields such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning is expected to continue growing, requiring ongoing skill development in these fields. Given the growing and diverse cyber threats, cybersecurity specialists — those who can protect data and systems from such attacks — are and will continue to be in high demand.
Financial services will continue to expand, leading to an increase in job opportunities within this field. Over the next few years, demand for financial analysts specializing in data analysis is expected to rise. Additionally, most finance department roles will require solid knowledge of blockchain technology, which is not yet widespread but is anticipated to gain importance.
Those pursuing a career in HR within the business services industry, will also need enhanced digital skills, as many processes, such as payroll, benefits management, performance evaluation, and even recruitment, are set to become fully automated.
Another promising profession is that of a business analyst, specialists who identify business needs and implement technology solutions while having expertise in both areas.
“When it comes to the outsourcing services industry in Sibiu, candidates fluent in German, French, Spanish, Italian, and English are in high demand. Sibiu remains an attractive hub for companies in manufacturing, R&D, and engineering. In 2024, our focus is primarily on infrastructure services such as cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, digitalization platforms, and system/network management, which means there will be numerous opportunities for mid-level professionals in these fields,” says Rebeca Toader, Senior Talent Acquisition Lead, Stefanini.
The business services market in Sibiu is expected to grow by at least 10% in terms of employment this year.
“Our team has been growing by approximately 20% each year. In 2024, we will focus on IT recruitment and are likely to open new positions in the Finance department,” adds Dragos Vecerdea, Head of Shared Service Center, CWS Sibiu.
According to the National Institute of Statistics, the demand for highly skilled labor is substantial, with a projected 60% increase in the number of qualified workers between 2018 and 2030. Additionally, 42% of work hours will be performed through automation/digitalization, and one in two employees will require professional reskilling. Additionally, 42% of all working hours will involve automation and digitalization, and 1 in 2 employees will require career reskilling.
“Over the next decade, we anticipate a strong consolidation of the balance between technology and human resources in companies. This synergy will have a significant impact on the labour market, increasing flexibility. As specialization becomes more pronounced, project-based service delivery will become increasingly common, and holding multiple jobs simultaneously will become the norm,” explains Alexandru Matenciuc from Colt.
According to the ABSL report, the majority of companies (77%) achieved better results in 2023 compared to 2022, while the workforce in the industry has grown by 10% over the past two years.
Approximately 200,000 professionals are currently employed in Romania’s business services industry, with over 3% based in Sibiu.