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Global skills shortages are expected to result in 85.2 million job vacancies by 2030.
Sajjad Ahmed, Deputy Business Editor
Dubai: A global skills shortage is expected to result in 85.2 million job vacancies by 2030, especially in sectors such as finance and business services, with the UAE’s freelance sector expected to see significant growth. Azeem Zainulbhai, co-founder and chief product officer of Outsized, said this gap provides a huge opportunity for technical talents to provide professional services, flexibility and agility that traditional employment cannot match.
Outsized is a talent on-demand platform targeting large enterprise clients and consultancies across Asia Pacific, Africa and the Middle East.
Speaking to Gulf Today, Zainulbhai said: “To address this challenge, platforms like Outsized play a vital role in connecting businesses with independent professionals for skill-based contracting projects. For example, Insurance companies or banks that lack in-house expertise in digital transformation can easily find skilled talent that matches their requirements, such as data scientists or UI/UX designers, through such platforms.”
He praised the UAE’s approach to innovation, adding: “Initiatives such as UAE Industry 4.0 emphasize the need for specialized skills and on-demand talent is critical to drive innovation and economic competitiveness. They not only address skills gaps but also promote collaboration and knowledge exchange, enabling UAE businesses to remain agile and responsive. The enabling environment for the freelance industry in the UAE will further expand, providing resilient and adaptive solutions to changing market demands.”
“The UAE’s freelancing market is particularly rich in technology and innovation, offering huge opportunities for skilled independent professionals. According to Outsized’s 2023 Talent Needs Report, technological advancements in the MENA region are expected to have a significant impact on the economy. The The region’s digital economy is expected to grow significantly, potentially reaching more than $140 billion by 2031. This growth is primarily driven by the UAE’s ambition to become a global hub for technology, fintech and entrepreneurship, which has a strong need for skilled talent in technology, project management Generating huge demand, risk and compliance, business transformation, data analytics, cybersecurity and sales. In addition, the UAE’s focus on building a knowledge-based economy and investments in e-commerce and smart cities have further strengthened the professional talent in these fields prospects, providing them with the opportunity to play a key role in the country’s economic development and innovation landscape.”
Regarding the growth of the freelance industry in the MENA region, Zainulbhai added: “The freelance economy is experiencing significant growth in the MENA region, which indicates that the labor market is moving in a more fragmented and flexible direction. Some of the key trends include –
Resilience: In response to economic uncertainty, companies are focusing on resilience through strong cash flow, access to credit and flexible business models.
Agility: Despite ongoing economic uncertainty, the need for agility is driving the need for flexible, skilled freelance workers to quickly adapt to market changes.
Connectivity: Independent consultants are increasingly seeking community, joining platforms such as Outsized for peer interaction, skill development and networking opportunities.
Explaining the evolution of freelancing, he noted that “the evolution of freelancing from low-value, transactional work models to high-value, skills-intensive career options reflects broader economic and technological shifts. The global shift towards a flexible, agile workforce and the growing demand for specialized skills have contributed significantly to this shift. High-growth economies and industries increasingly value the agility and expertise that freelance workers bring, moving away from traditional employment models. Like Outsized The rise of digital platforms has made it easier for skilled professionals to find work, collaborate and market their skills globally.”
Additionally, the pandemic has highlighted the value of freelance workers as businesses seek their strategic thinking and skills needed for interim leadership and project-based work. This advancement helps transform freelancing into a credible and impactful career option. It now attracts a growing number of professionals who crave the autonomy, task variety, and potential for great rewards that project-based work offers. “
Regarding a sustainable independent talent market, Zainulbhai suggested: “In order to cultivate a fair and sustainable independent talent market, companies should focus on transparency and equal treatment of talents. Platforms like Outsized ensure competitive prices that reflect the needs of freelance workers. expertise and advocate for industry standards to protect the rights of all parties involved. Stakeholders, including business leaders and industry associations, play a key role in implementing these measures to ensure a balanced and prosperous freelancing ecosystem.”
Highlighting potential challenges and emerging opportunities, he concluded: “The future of work presents huge opportunities for businesses and professionals. For businesses, adopting a freelance talent model allows for flexible access to expertise, thereby Achieve efficient resource allocation and reduce administrative costs. Additionally, the rise of freelancing allows organizations to innovate through new project structures and workflows, thereby increasing efficiency and creativity. The current challenge for the MENA region is to build support for independent Infrastructure for careers. Its purpose is to make the independent professional role aspirational, achievable and rewarding. This includes advocating for and empowering these professionals, not only matching them with projects but helping them navigate their independent careers achieve success and change their relationship with work.”
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