With technology and innovation advancing rapidly, it has become increasingly important for individuals in Asia to develop and adapt to new skills to use these new methods. In order to ensure economic growth and stability, Asian countries are developing skills plans as national strategies and frameworks and investing in human-centric skills. The most in-demand skills across Southeast Asia by 2026 include Artificial Intelligence, Business Analysis, Data Science, Machine Learning, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Technology, Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering, Cybersecurity, and Software Development.

The skills gap for in-demand skills in Asia is caused by the fact that many workers lack the necessary skills and education to meet the job market demands. This is especially true for the most in-demand skills.

Employers and governments are investing in new training programs, apprenticeships, and mentoring to help people get the skills they need to fill the skills gap.

A number of jobs are in demand and provide good salaries in Asia. These include the following:

Artificial Intelligence

Industries that currently employ AI talents include finance, healthcare, retail, education, transportation, manufacturing, agriculture, and entertainment. AI technologies have enabled more effective testing for Covid-19 and faster vaccine development, as well as helping manage grocery supply chains and security systems.

AI is everywhere, and it is not just restricted to tech companies. It has become part of our daily lives, and its impact is already being felt across many industries.

The demand for AI skills is expected to grow in the coming years. In fact, 65 per cent of businesses think that AI will be a key growth driver by 2022.

This means that there is plenty of opportunity for those who want to work in this field.

Data Science

As companies collect more data, they need data scientists to help them extract important insights. Data scientists must have a high level of programming skills and an understanding of algorithms, machine learning and mathematics.

Software Development

Software engineers are responsible for writing code that helps computers perform tasks such as image processing, facial recognition or speech recognition. They need to be proficient in computer programming languages such as Java and Python, among others.

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is one of the most in-demand skills in Asia. 

Every year, more than 100,000 new cybersecurity jobs are created in Asia Pacific, according to global consultancy firm Frost & Sullivan.

And while there has been a rise in cybercrime attacks that have affected businesses around the world, it's not just large corporations that are feeling the heat: Smaller organizations are also struggling to keep up with their global competitors.

In fact, some experts believe this increase in cyber threats could be what drives Asia's growing demand for cybersecurity professionals.

Social Media Marketing

The demand for social media marketing skills is growing in Asia.

Social media marketing is a demanding skill that requires experience and knowledge of the latest trends to succeed. The good news is that many social media marketing jobs are available in Asia.

A social media marketer needs to be good at both verbal and digital communication, have a creative and innovative approach to digital marketing, know how to use all social channels well, and have experience in public relations or managing a public brand.

Video Production

Video is a demanding skill. It requires a high level of creativity, innovation, and technical expertise.

Asian companies are increasingly investing in video content, with India and China leading the way. The main reasons for this are:

- The need for more engaging and effective content.

- The potential to reach new audiences.

- The demand for video marketing services.

The good news is that you don't have to be an expert at video production by yourself. There are plenty of tools out there that can help you get started quickly and easily.

UI Designer

BEING a UI designer is a demanding skill and one of the most in-demand skills in Asia.

UI designers are responsible for designing user interfaces for websites, mobile apps and desktop applications. They create mockups, wireframes and visual designs that help users understand how the product will function.

The demand for UI designers is growing because companies are increasingly looking to hire UI designers who can provide them with high-quality designs on short notice. This means companies have to find alternative ways to get quality work done at optimal costs.

The development of technology in Asia affects the jobs market. More jobs are being created there, and people are not able to fill them because they don't have the required skills. Companies need more people with special skills to replace the old ones. Even if we can't learn all the skills that are required today, we can at least update ourselves.