The Contingent Workforce Will Increase by 179% in Ten Years

According to the 2018 Future Workforce HR Report released this month by Upwork, we’re in for some fast and furious growth among the contingent workforce. More than 1,000 U.S. hiring managers, including over 200 HR managers were surveyed and 91% report that in order to combat skills and worker shortages, they have begun adopting more agile talent strategies.

Not only are 70% already utilizing flexible or contingent talent, including freelancers, temp, and agency workers, HR managers anticipate that work done by contingents will increase by 179% in the next 10 years. The skills gap is clearly forcing HR teams to think beyond their traditional workforce. With talent getting harder and harder to find, freelancers are often equipped with the specific skill sets teams require and are well-suited for the increasing volume of project work.

“With more jobs than people to fill them, companies are struggling to find the talent they need to get work done,” said Zoe Harte, SVP of HR and Talent Innovation at Upwork. “New skill requirements and occupations are emerging as the half-life of skills continues to shrink. This will require greater flexibility and innovative thinking from hiring teams to ensure that they have the most qualified people to move their business forward.”