As global mining, construction and engineering companies flock to penetrate Asia’s lucrative markets they are turning to human resource specialist John Davidson and Associates (JDA) to establish a foothold in the region.

JDA Group Chairman, Mr Kelvin Hutchinson said Asia had the highest growth for human resource deployment during 2006 with more than 50 percent of JDA’s offshore placements now in Asia.

“Markets like China, India and the Philippines are emerging with unprecedented growth,” Mr Hutchinson said.

“Our worldwide office network has reported an increase of up to 30 percent in the number of requests to deploy staff to South East Asia alone, with some companies requiring talent in-country within only a matter of weeks,” he said.

JDA is an accredited global recruiter that works in partnership with businesses, providing local market knowledge on labour laws, infrastructure and resource centres as well as facilitates visas, travel and accommodation, payroll and other outsourcing services.

This upward trend follows the improved viability of Asian markets and the commitment of governments to advance the development of mining and construction sector, opening access for foreign investment.

Mr Hutchinson said undoubtedly these areas are providing attractive opportunities but advised that the timely establishment of human capital was a determining factor for success or failure.

“Many global companies are launching into these markets, whether on a project-per-project basis or joint venture to gain a competitive advantage,” Mr Hutchinson said.

“Companies that hit the ground and expand quickly understand that the key to their long-term success is not based on securing bricks and mortar but in finding the right people that can be productive from the start.”

Mr Hutchinson said in relation to international projects, securing the right human resources that could harmonize with the cultural, political and environmental aspects of the area upfront was the difference between intermediate and long-term results.

“These are very large, diverse and complex markets – they are remote, have conflicting and chaotic rules and regulations as well as strict policies for foreign ventures and labour hire,” Mr Hutchinson said.

“Placing the right staff early in the internationalisation process can identify new opportunities, leverage business advice and generally open doors, reducing time and costs associated with acquiring market specific knowledge and exporting additional resources.

“Companies should look to employ staff that not only have the right level of education and managerial skills but engage those that have an intrinsic global business acumen, entrepreneurial aptitude and foreign culture and language experience.”

Mr Hutchinson said the uncertainty and complexity of labour hire was a major deterrent for some foreign companies considering investment in Asia.

“Our staff can provide valuable, local advice that can save months of research and development,” Mr Hutchinson said.

“JDA’s payroll and other outsourcing services enable companies to accelerate staff deployment without having to establish themselves in-country.

“A company may call us today and need someone in China by Friday week. If the company had to establish itself first, it could take months and the company could miss the opportunity to enter the market.”

Mr Hutchinson said JDA had been operating in Asia for more than 17 years with regional offices in Jakarta, Indonesia and Shanghai, China.

“JDA’s experienced off-shore consultants understand the personal attributes essential to success in international and remote locations,” Mr Hutchinson said.

“Our staff support companies with local issues such as human resource capabilities; employee conditions and communities; employee mix, for example, expatriate to local staff ratios; education standards; salaries; work schedules; and workplace health and safety requirements.

“We also provide strategic human capital advice that aligns with an organisation's business strategy to support the establishment of incentives, compensation, organisational structures, and performance measurements for optimum results.”

JDA is the leading international mining, construction and engineering recruitment firm. JDA focuses on recruitment for positions such as professional engineers, skilled tradespeople, experienced supervisors and miners and labour hire placement. JDA has12 offices worldwide and employs 140 staff. It also offers senior executive, CEO and board of director positions through its JDA Executive Global Recruitment. For more information contact JDA on 61 (0)7 3120 0900 or visit www.jda.com.au

Media contact: Sue Tierney 0406 374 469