Adapting to the gig economy – how TES providers can pioneer the future workforce
By Viren Sookhun, Managing Director at Oxyon People Solutions
The global workforce is undergoing a profound transformation, with the gig economy dramatically altering the way people work and how businesses manage their talent needs. The rise of project-based employment, even at senior levels, is challenging traditional notions of work – particularly across growing sectors like renewable energy, mining, manufacturing, and green hydrogen. Temporary Employment Services (TES) providers must adapt to this new reality, reimagining their role to remain relevant and add value in this rapidly evolving world of work.
Factors reshaping the workforce
The gig economy, once typically restricted to freelance creatives and tech workers, is expanding into every corner of the labour market. Highly skilled professionals, particularly those in emerging industries, are increasingly choosing project-based roles over permanent employment. This preference for flexibility and variety is driven by a shift in worker priorities, with professionals seeking not just competitive pay but also work-life balance and the freedom to select their projects.
At the same time, advancements in technology and the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) are reshaping skills requirements. Many low-skilled roles are being automated, creating an urgent need for upskilling and reskilling. TES providers must play a pivotal role in preparing workers to transition into technology-enabled positions, ensuring that they remain employable in this changing landscape.
Evolving staffing solutions
To remain relevant and to thrive in this new world of work, TES providers must move beyond their traditional role of simply filling temporary vacancies. They need to reposition themselves as managing agents for gig workers.
This shift involves taking on critical responsibilities such as negotiating contracts, by acting as intermediaries between workers and employers to secure favourable terms for all parties. It also requires leveraging extensive networks and data-driven insights to match workers’ skills with projects that align with their expertise, preferences, and career goals.
Additionally, TES providers must manage logistical complexities, including project timing, location, and other challenges, while offering financial continuity through innovative solutions such as wealth preservation plans, access to funds during project gaps, and tailored retirement packages. Embracing this new role demands a deeper understanding of the individuals within their databases, enabling providers to place workers in positions that maximise both their earnings and job satisfaction.
Adapting to the global gig economy
The gig economy is inherently global, with fewer geographical boundaries than traditional employment. TES providers must embrace this reality by building the infrastructure to support cross-border employment. This includes navigating international labour laws, managing remote work logistics, and facilitating seamless transitions between projects in different regions.
Moreover, flexibility is key. Many gig workers prefer non-linear career paths, opting to work intensively for several months before taking time off. TES providers must accommodate these preferences while maintaining a pipeline of opportunities to ensure continuity.
To meet the demands of the gig economy, TES providers must invest in advanced technology platforms that enhance efficiency and user experience. Artificial intelligence, for example, can streamline the process of matching workers with projects, while digital tools can simplify contract management and compliance.
A future-focused TES model
In this shifting landscape, TES providers have an opportunity to lead the transformation of the labour market. By repositioning themselves as managing agents, they can bridge the gap between employers and a dynamic, highly skilled workforce that prefers the flexibility of project-based employment over the traditional stability of a permanent position. This evolution will not only meet the needs of the gig economy but also drive innovation and inclusivity in the broader employment ecosystem.
As TES providers step into this new role, their ability to adapt, innovate, and add value will determine their relevance in a future where flexibility and agility define success. In this transformative era, TES can no longer fill the role of just a service, it needs to become a partnership shaping the future of work.
