Gig Economy Boom: Over a Million Workers to be Hired Amid Skill Gaps

Over a million gig workers set to be hired this festival season

By honing both industry-specific knowledge and soft skills, gig workers can significantly enhance their employability and efficiency in delivering quality results, the survey said. The festive season is likely to see hiring of over 1 million gig and 250,000 contractual workers, according to a survey by TeamLease EdTech. Despite this surging demand, several employers are unsatisfied due to skill deficit among gig workers in areas like industry-specific knowledge, technical skills, soft skills and project management, the survey revealed further. As many as 42.86% of employers have said that gig workers lack industry-specific knowledge while another 28.57% of employers cited soft skills, including communication, teamwork and problem-solving, as another critical gap. To bridge these gaps, the report has identified top ways for gig workers to upskill. For instance, on-the-job training (76.19%) and online courses (73.81%) are the most effective methods. These options provide gig workers with practical experience and the flexibility to learn while they work. By honing both industry-specific knowledge and soft skills, gig workers can significantly enhance their employability and efficiency in delivering quality results, the survey said. "The gig economy has fundamentally altered the employment landscape. However, with this shift comes the need for continuous upskilling. As demand surges, especially during peak periods like the festive season, it's clear that gig workers must develop industry-specific knowledge to remain competitive. By strengthening their skills, they are not only filling current gaps but are also preparing for the future of work, where adaptability will be the key driver of success," said Shantanu Rooj, founder and CEO of TeamLease EdTech. As per the survey, artificial intelligence (AI) & automation and advanced technical skills are projected to be the most critical for gig workers going forward with more than half of the respondents (53.57%) emphasising on the importance of AI and automation skills. "As digital transformation accelerates, the advanced technical skills in areas such as software development, cybersecurity and advanced IT infrastructure will be increasingly valuable," it said. In the case of gig workers, a majority of employers (67.86%) prefer people with 1-5 years of work experience. "This preference indicates that employers are seeking candidates who bring a balance of fresh perspectives and practical experience, suitable for roles that do not require extensive leadership or senior-level expertise. Workers within this experience range likely possess a good mix of adaptability and relevant skills, making them ideal for the dynamic requirements of gig projects," the survey said.

Lack of industry knowledge a key skill gap among gig workers: Report

Other skills for mastering gig economy include communication, time management, problem solving and adaptability, as per TeamLease Edtech survey of employersAs employers across sectors ramp up hiring of temporary workers for the festive season, according to a report, more than two in five (42.86%) of them believe industry-specific knowledge of employees is the most glaring skill gap preventing success in the gig economy. The report by TeamLease Edtech, titled 'Gig Economy Skills: Equipping Youth for Freelance and Flexible Work', is based on a survey of 837 employers across sectors. The survey sheds light on employer perspectives on the skill readiness of gig workers, preferred experience levels and effective training methods to close skill gaps. Three-fourths of the employers (75.9%) identified technical skills as the most essential for gig workers to possess. Workers possessing these skills can navigate complex platforms, software and tools and be efficient and effective performers. Other key skills for mastering the gig economy include communication skills (68.67%), time management (58.33%), problem solving (57.14%) and adaptability (54.76%). While only a small portion (10.71%) of employers is open to hiring gig workers with no prior experience, more than two out of three of them (67.86%) prefer gig workers who possess 1-5 years of experience. Although 78.57% of employers reported gig workers either meeting or exceeding expectations, more than one in five (20.24%) believed that they fall below expectations. "On the ground, we often see that while gig workers are tech-savvy, they face challenges in managing client interactions and adapting to the dynamic needs of multiple projects," said Jaideep Kewalramani, chief operating officer of TeamLease EdTech. The most glaring gaps holding gig workers back are industry-specific knowledge (42.86%), soft skills (28.57%), and technical and project management skills (14.29%). Shantanu Rooj, chief executive of TeamLease EdTech, said: "As demand surges, especially during peak periods like the festive season, it's clear that gig workers must develop industry-specific knowledge to remain competitive. By strengthening their skills, they are not only filling current gaps but also preparing for the future of work, where adaptability will be the key driver of success." The report identifies the top ways for gig workers to upskill and bridge these gaps. According to employers, on-the-job training (76.19%), online courses (73.81%), self-directed learning (46.43%) and workshops (45.24%) are the most effective ways. Looking ahead, as technology continues to evolve, proficiency in artificial intelligence and automation skills (53.57%) will be an essential skill for gig workers to possess in the next five years. These are followed by advanced technical skills (21.43%), an umbrella term for expertise in areas such as software development, cybersecurity and advanced IT infrastructure, and sustainability practices (14.29%).