Fuelling freelancers: Why skilled, short-term workers remain critical for our industry

It has certainly been a surreal time for us all. We’ve seen our way of life completely change in a matter of weeks; the world, for many grinding to a halt. However, for many of us, the show must go on, especially in the world of digital learning.

Workforces are suddenly entirely digital. They’re learning to adapt and the world of digital learning has suddenly been slammed to the front and centre of many business agendas. In many cases, never has the need for important information and education been needed across a digital medium.

For some, this has resulted in a shift in view to see the opportunity ahead, but for others we have seen fear amongst uncertainty emerge. Projects suddenly stopped in their tracks, short-term skilled staff and freelancers immediately relieved of their duties. But the reality is that these people are still going to remain a critical aspect of the learning technologies world and those letting them go with haste will have lost great talent, possibly forever.

How can we carry on, amongst the ambiguity?

The message is clear – most of us are still open for business. And really, for us to all survive this we are going to need to work together – and that means supporting one another. I’ve already witnessed many freelancers be culled from business-critical projects in haste. But my concern is that in the coming weeks, when the dust is starting to settle and we establish our new status quo, these rare and talented individuals are going to be needed again and they’ll be gone and onto another project. And they may never come back.

I worry that many businesses will be left grappling to satisfy their needs, with no available resource.

The reality is, whether you are a corporate organisation or an agency supplying services and projects to corporates, you still need these new skills (quarantine or not).

You’re still building for the future, and you’re still going to need critical talent which you don’t always have in-house to do that.

It’s not about blowing all your budget on freelancers. But for me, the key is being more considered with how and when you engage with gig workers; knowing when to use them is key.

Supporting our skilled workers

Whilst I totally understand why some businesses are having to make the entirely difficult choice of reducing their employees (both permanent and freelance) many are still working to succeed amongst this, well, chaos.

And where we can, we need to look to support our freelancers; those gems with distinct and unique skills. Those who may be majorly affected by redundancies and slipping through the cracks of government aid. They won’t forget your kindness and support in the time they needed it most.

We’re working with our freelancers to make sure we understand their skills as fully as possible so that we can respond quickly and easily to client’s needs. Our team is offering free consultancy to any freelancer who needs it, simply get in touch and we’ll do anything we can to help you through these trying times.

For those of you that can, please support our skilled workers. And for everyone, please stay safe and stay home. Together, we will get through this. Together, we will emerge stronger, more skilled and more adept to change than ever before. I believe our freelancers play a critical part in that; let’s not leave them behind.