Contractors can help provide essential skills to firms that are struggling to recruit qualified and talented staff, experts claim.
Freelancers are the perfect complement to the permanent workforce, the Professional Contractors Group (PCG) says in response to a new survey from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
According to the CIPD's findings, 85% of firms experienced problems recruiting staff in the last year. Most employers cited a lack of specialist skills among applicants as the chief reason for their difficulties, while other complained candidates lacked necessary experience.
PCG chairman Simon Juden said that in his organisation's latest annual survey of members, the findings show that 62% of freelancers have a bachelor's degree or equivalent, 33% have professional qualifications, 22% have technical qualifications and 18% have masters degrees.
Another 90% are over 35 and nearly three-quarters have at least five years experience in their field, he added.
"Freelancers can be the perfect complement to a permanent workforce, especially when competition for staff is tough," said Juden.
"They offer staffing flexibility, value for money and cost-effective deployment without the burden of employment costs and responsibilities."
