Amid the festival gig jobs boom, 42.86% of Employers Report Lack of Industry Knowledge as the Primary Skill Deficit
TeamLease Edtech report captures the sentiments of 800+ employers of the gig economy. Major skill gaps include industry-specific knowledge (42.86%) and soft skills (28.57%).
As India prepares for its festive season, TeamLease Edtech projects demand for gig workers will be soaring to new heights. The report titled “Gig Economy Skills” presents an in-depth analysis of the essential skills required for success in this rapidly growing sector. This season, employers plan to hire 1 million gig workers and 250,000 contractual workers across sectors, with e-commerce leading the charge. Companies like Uber, Ola, Swiggy, and Zomato are offering significant opportunities, reflecting the shifting labor market accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has driven both workers and businesses to seek flexible work arrangements as per TeamLease..
Despite this surging demand, a recent TeamLease EdTech survey highlights a persistent skill gap among gig workers. 42.86% of employers identified a lack of industry-specific knowledge as the primary deficiency, pointing to a need for specialized skills in specific sectors. While gig workers are often technically adept, the absence of domain expertise can hinder their efficiency and effectiveness. In addition to this, 28.57% of employers cited soft skills, including communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, as another critical gap. These skills are essential for gig workers, who frequently manage multiple clients and projects simultaneously.
To bridge these gaps, the report identifies the top ways for gig workers to upskill. According to the data, on-the-job training (76.19%) and online courses (73.81%) are the most effective methods. These options provide gig workers with practical experience and the flexibility to learn while they work. By honing both industry-specific knowledge and soft skills, gig workers can significantly enhance their employability and efficiency in delivering quality results.
“The gig economy has fundamentally altered the employment landscape. It is reshaping how we work by introducing a level of flexibility that aligns with modern work preferences”, said Shantanu Rooj, Founder and CEO of TeamLease EdTech. “However, with this shift comes the need for continuous upskilling. As demand surges, especially during peak periods like the festive season, it’s clear that gig workers must develop industry-specific knowledge to remain competitive. By strengthening their skills, they are not only filling current gaps but also preparing for the future of work, where adaptability will be the key driver of success.”
Jaideep Kewalramani, Head of Employability Business and COO, TeamLease Edtech, added, “On the ground, we often see that while gig workers are tech-savvy, they face challenges in managing client interactions and adapting to the dynamic needs of multiple projects. With the festive season ramping up, their ability to improve communication and problem-solving skills will play a crucial role. Success in the gig economy is a combination of many factors, including tech proficiency, communication skills, time management and adaptability.”
The findings in this report are based on a comprehensive survey of 837 employers across a wide range of sectors. The survey aimed to capture employer perspectives on the skill readiness of gig workers, preferred experience levels, and the most effective training methods to close existing skill gaps. The data collected provides insights into the evolving needs of the gig economy, offering a roadmap for how gig workers can meet the rising demand by enhancing their skills
About TeamLease EdTech
TeamLease EdTech is India’s leading Learning and Employability solution company. It helps universities launch, run and manage their own Online/ODL Programs, improve the employability of their students through its apprenticeship programs and helps employers build talent supply chains along with improving employee productivity. Through its cloud-hosted, mobile-first, managed services platform, TL Edtech provides a wide range of services – enrollment, learning, upskilling, apprenticeships, student support and assessment – helping customers improve access and learning outcomes. TeamLease EdTech has exclusive partnerships with 50 of India’s largest Universities across 16 Indian states, and it trains 6 Lakh students on its platform through 9 Indian languages, works with 900 corporates in their upskilling/skilling initiatives and manages over 200 degree, diploma, certificate programs. With its recent launch of ‘Digivarsity’- India’s first-ever AI-powered student degree and career discovery platform, it aims to impact and empower 10 Lakh students with employability skills over the next five years.
