WHAT MAKES THE

GO ROUND?

WHAT MAKES THE

GO ROUND?

CONTRACTING WORLD

CONTRACTING WORLD

With the economic recovery gathering pace, Parasol takes the temperature of the UK’s professional contractor and freelancer market in 2014

MAKING THE LEAP

We asked our contractors what persuaded them to ditch the 9-5 and try their hand at contracting. Some of the most popular answers included:

Earnings potential Freedom andflexibility on offer

Chance to workon differentassignments

The survey of 360 people found:

0-5 yearscontracting

had beencontracting for6 years or more

19%19%had beencontractingfor 0-5 years

81%81%

GROWTH IN CONTRACTOR CONFIDENCE

Members of the UK’s skilled professional workforce are benefiting from an improvement in market conditions

Businesses arereviving mothballedor postponed projects

Demand forcontractors isbooming

Assignment ratesare increasing

92%

of contractors say their confidence levels have either improved or stayed the same

over the past year

SENTIMENT SHIFT

IT & Technology - 92.4%

Engineering - 92.2%

Digital, Creative & Media - 85.3%

West Midlands – 94.1%

London – 93.5%

South East – 92.7%

Hottest sectors

Hottest regions

Many British businesses are keen to increase the size of their workforce. However, many hirers are struggling to find candidates with the right skills

and experience

74%of contractors feel well placed to address national

skill shortages in their sector

WHAT MAKES A WORLD-CLASS RECRUITER?

Contractors often turn to recruiters when looking to secure assignments, but what do contractors value most in an agency?

Good contacts

18%

Personal touch

19%

Responsiveness

38%

89%of contractors feel positive abouttheir career prospects

82%plan on contracting for the long term

31%of contractors see a workplacepension as important

Find out more

http://www.parasolgroup.co.uk/contractor-barometer-report-may-2014/

© 2014 Parasol