The current tight hiring climate is causing HR managers and company executives to rely more on gig workers than ever before. According to an article appearing on the Staffing Industry website, one reason for the trend is that employers are seeing a marked skills gap in available workers to fill open positions within their organizations.
A recent survey of approximately 600 HR managers and executives that was conducted by HR advisory firm Wiley Education Services and Future Workplace found that the majority noted a skills gap within their organizations. According to the data collected, 64% noticed the discrepancy and 44% indicated that it was more challenging to fill the gap than it was in the previous year.
The solution for many companies is to rely more heavily on gig workers. The survey indicated a 9% increase in those who sought help from the gig economy. An estimated 47% of the participants stated that they preferred to use gig workers to fill the skills gap than to hire someone full-time.
Also in the mix is a broader acceptance and adoption of AI solutions within organizations; 40% of those participating in the survey said that they either have or are looking at AI as a potential solution to the challenge.
Dan Schawbel, research director at Future Workplace, told Staffing Industry that this skills gap is getting wider in the U.S. with companies unable to, “…..find the right talent with the right skills at the right time and it’s preventing them from growth.”