The public sector is suffering from worker shortages and skills gaps. Unconventional career paths are more common, and the reception toward higher education is shifting in the modern era. These influences and others are altering the number of people funneling into government positions. It is possible the gig economy could mend the gaps.

The Reasons Behind Skill Shortages in Public Sectors

Skills shortages are occurring because of many practical and social factors. Many government workers and related public entities have an aging workforce. Institutional familiarity and workplace loyalty dissipate as the most tenured professionals retire.

Part of the reduction in interest in public work stems from intense competition from private enterprises. Budding professionals believe they can find more money, prospects and opportunities in these places. The benefits and salaries are more enticing, primarily as earning above a living wage is more important to this generation than committing to public work.

Current public employees may have insufficient training from their organizations. Irregular education and development stunt career potential, making staff unable to adapt and integrate to changes, such as digital transformation.

Public service jobs are also known for their lengthy hiring process. Skill and labor shortages are too prominent for bureaucratic structures to delay talent acquisition, but it can sometimes take years from the application to onboarding. It is one of the few ways the sector inhibits its growth.

In the post-COVID-19 world, many people want flexible hours and to work from home. Public sector jobs have practical and geographic limitations, making them less appealing to the modern employee. Sometimes, they are in areas few want to live in, leading people to deny work. Filling these positions becomes even more challenging than filling ones in the most urban, accessible areas.

The Pros and Cons of Using Contractors in Government

The organizational landscape is changing across industries because of how many are becoming their own bosses or taking on freelance work. Around 40% of people in the U.S. have side hustles, and 36% desire to start one. This opens entities to several pros and cons when considering whether to fill their open roles with freelance contractors.

Pros of Contractors in Public Sector Roles

Contractors are competitive because they advertise specialized skills. They can help fill knowledge gaps, especially if the public agency cannot afford to invest in education to teach current employees. The ingenuity will also help bring a new perspective to potentially antiquated and older businesses. It could improve relationships with other industries and organizations by embracing innovation.

The public sector frequently handles varied workloads with niche project-based requirements. The number of contractors is helpful because it makes operations more scalable and flexible. Gig workers can also help juggle organizations’ countless deadlines, making operations more productive and reliable.

Many independent workers set their prices, which could make their cost a pro or a con. However, it’s helpful that there are fewer administrative tasks and expenses associated with them. HR departments don’t have to handle their payroll, taxes or benefits, as these are the contractor’s responsibilities.

Many self-starters are social entrepreneurs, or people who are in contracting because they want to make the world a better place. Agencies can leverage these motivations to get dedicated people in the door in places where enthusiasm is needed most.