The gig economy is no doubt gaining momentum. A whopping 78.57 per cent of employers find gig workers meeting or surpassing job requirements, as per a report titled ‘Gig Economy Skills: Equipping Youth for Freelance and Flexible Work’ by TeamLease EdTech. The report also highlighted that technical proficiency is paramount with 75.90 per cent of employers identifying technical skills as the most essential for gig workers, underscoring the increasing reliance on technology across industries.
Communication skills are closely followed, with 68.67 per cent of respondents emphasising the importance of remote collaboration and meeting client expectations. The report is based on survey data from 837 employers across various sectors.
Talking about the report, Shantanu Rooj, Founder and CEO, TeamLease EdTech, said, “The gig economy is not just the future of work but rather our present. With 78.57 per cent of gig workers meeting or exceeding expectations, we spot a real potential. However, the emphasis on both technical and soft skills highlights the complex demands of this new work paradigm. With over half of employers prioritising AI and automation skills, it’s clear that continuous upskilling is not just beneficial, it’s essential.”
Also read: Air India rolls out VRS for non-flying staff ahead of Vistara merger
In terms of experience, the study reveals a preference for gig workers with 1-5 years of experience among 67.86 per cent of employers, indicating a desire for fresh perspectives balanced with practical know-how. Digital literacy emerged as non-negotiable, with over 90 per cent of respondents stressing its importance in the predominantly digital gig economy.
For skill enhancement, on-the-job training with 76.19 per cent and online courses with 73.81 per cent emerged as the most preferred methods. The most common skill gaps in new gig workers include industry-specific knowledge with 42.86 per cent and soft skills with 28.57 per cent. Employers seek gig workers with a combination of domain knowledge, technical skills and strong soft skills to handle clients effectively.
The study also projects that AI and automation skills with 53.57 per cent will be the most critical for gig workers in the next five years, followed by advanced technical skills with 21.43 per cent and sustainability practices with 14.29 per cent.
Stay connected with us on social media platforms for instant updates click here to join our LinkedIn, Twitter & Facebook
