More UK workers turning to contracting lifestyle

As many as two in five Brits have done temporary agency work, contracting or freelancing at some point in their careers, finds a new report.

The research, conducted by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), found that on any given day, recruitment agencies place one million people on temporary assignments.

Twenty-eight per cent of contractors, freelancers and temporary agency workers choose this way of working because they want flexible hours – 36% want to get on the job ladder quickly.

Neil Carberry, Chief Executive of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, commented, “People are making a positive choice to do flexible work because they want more from their job. For too long, the political debate has treated flexible work as second class, and even locked flexible workers out of some forms of support – like the apprenticeship system. That has to change. We need to celebrate different forms of work that are essential to meeting workers’ needs at critical stages of many people’s lives.

“Our flexible labour market is a national success story that the next government must protect. We need genuine two-way flexibility which benefits both business and workers. In times of uncertainty, businesses need flexibility to meet demand for skills and people are looking for opportunities to work flexibly or balance work with caring needs.

“Policies designed for the past need to be redesigned – for instance broadening the apprenticeship levy would mean even more people can get training while working flexibly to enhance their careers and reduce skills shortages.”

To find out more about contracting please contact Amelia on 01442 795 100 or email amelia.bowlez@contractorumbrella.com.