MUMBAI, OCT 14
In the ongoing festival season, deamnd for gig workers will surge. According to TeamLease Edtech survey, expect a hiring spreeas 1 million gig workers and 250,000 contractual workers could be hired by companies like Ola, Swiggy, and Zomato.
The shifting labor market after the pandemic has driven both workers and businesses to seek flexible work arrangements.
The survey is conducted with 837 employers from different sectors to capture their perspective on gig workers’ skill readiness, preferred experience and most effective training methods to close existing skill gaps. According to the surbey, 42.86 per cent employers find a skill gap among gig workers which is lack of industry-specific skills required in a specific domain that can hinder their efficiency and effectiveness. 28.57 per cent of employers perceive a lack of soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem solving, as gig workers manage multiple clients and projects at the same time.
Training methods for Gig workers
They suggest the most effective way to upskill gig workers are on-the-job-training and online courses preferred by 76.19 and 73.81 per cent employers respectively. These methods provide gig workers with practical experience and the flexibility to learn during their work.
With a focus on Industry-specific knowledge and soft skills, gig workers can enhance their employability and efficiency to deliver quality results.
Jaideep Kewalramani, Head of Employability Business and COO, TeamLease Edtech, said, “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.”
He mentioned that gig workers pace in improving communication and problem solving skills will paly an important role.
The success in the gig economy depends on factors such as tech adaptability, communications, and time management.
Skills Required by Gig Workers
The most important skills required for the future workforce are AI and automation endorsed by 53.57 per cent, which is followed by advanced technical skills at 21.43 per cent and sustainability practices 14.29 per cent. These will help the workforce to stay in the competitive gig economy. Above 90 per cent of the respondents did highlight the importance of digital skills as most gig workers’ roles are essentially digital. Learning digital tools and platforms is non-negotiable for success in the gig economy.
Shantanu Rooj, Founder and CEO of TeamLease EdTech highlights that the employment landscape has been altered by the gig economy and reshaped by flexibility that goes with the modern work preferences. The need for continuous upskilling is required with changing scenarios. He further mentioned that gig workers should develop industry specific knowledge for the upcoming festive season. By focusing on skill development gig workers are not just filling gaps in the industry but also preparing for the future of work, where adaptability will be the key driver of success.
Experience required by Gig Workers
The survey mentions that 67.86 per cent of employers prefer gig workers with 1 to 5 years of experience. A small size of 10.71 per cent employers are also open to hiring gig workers with no experience or freshers. The survey highlights that employers are looking for candidates who bring balance of fresh perspective and practical experience. The trend also solidifies the importance of targeted training and development programs to help new and less experienced workers to succeed in the gig economy.
