Focus on the freelancing boom in IT
Programmers, coders, webmasters… IT freelancers are highly sought after profiles by companies[1]. Job opportunities are constantly increasing[2]. IT freelancing has been fueled by digital platforms, which simplify this way of organizing work[3].
The evolution of the IT job market
In 2021, IT services and technology consulting to grow by 5%[4]. In the last ten years, the consumption of external IT has spread to all areas of activity. 9 out of 10 large companies employ freelancers, compared to 68% of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)[5].
In 2021, Malt recorded a 27% increase in registrations in its “historical” businesses: tech and data, design, marketing, content, etc.[6] 23% of self-employed work in IT and engineering[7].
Box: Top 3 most sought-after IT careers
For some profiles, find freelance work is particularly easy. The most in-demand Tech jobs are:
- Web developer.
- Digital project manager.
- Software engineer[8].
The skills most in demand by IT decision makers are architecture, project management, agile methodology, Python, Java and cloud computing.[9]
Teleworking, a growth booster for freelancing IT
In the health crisis, teleworking experienced an unprecedented expansion. In 2021, 46% of leaders allow this practice, compared to just 27% before the pandemic[10]. The generalization of the hybrid working method helps blur the boundary between internal employees and freelancers. Physically, service providers are no more “external” than employees who work from home.
The advantages of IT freelancing
Access to new expertise, strengthen its innovation strategy, address environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments… Faced with a context marked by a triple transformation (of work, digital, ecological), the collaboration with those external talent has become a requirement. IT freelancing meets their needs for agility and flexibility. These are exacerbated by an increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous (VUCA) environment.
Companies rely on the skills and knowledge of IT freelancers to support their digital transition. External talents have a good level of learning. In fact, 84% of IT & Engineering freelancers have earned a graduate degree[11]. They have the advantage of quick mobilization. At a given time, they allow companies to carry out different projects, in agile mode. By recruiting a freelancer, they benefit from flexible and attractive rates. On average, their salary is 30% less than a traditional employee[12].
Search for meaning, need for business flexibility, lack of skills, impact of the pandemic, better social protection… Its development is part of a very strong trend. Within the IT sector, freelancers are more popular than ever among companies. For them, IT freelancing is synonymous with expertise, versatility and availability. By 2030, the number of freelancers is expected to grow by 57.7% to reach 1.54 million[13].
[1] https://www.usinenouvelle.com/article/freelance-informatique-un-metier-d-avenir-stimule-par-les-plateformes-digitales.N2005667
[2] https://www.usinenouvelle.com/article/freelance-informatique-un-metier-d-avenir-stimule-par-les-plateformes-digitales.N2005667
[3] https://bpifrance-creation.fr/entrepreneur/actualites/travail-free-lance-est-stimule-platformeformes-digitales
[4] https://www.hays.fr/etude-de-remunerations/
[5] https://www.hays.fr/etude-de-remunerations/
[6] https://blog.swile.co/essor-freelancing/
[7] https://landing.freelance.com/fr/etude-freelancing-france/
[8] https://www.hays.fr/etude-de-remunerations/
[9] https://www.hays.fr/etude-de-remunerations/
[10] https://www.ouest-france.fr/economie/emploi/teletravail/cinq-chiffres-qui-montrent-que-le-teletravail-s-est-impose-dans-les-entreprises-15533e0c-2a02-11ed- bd3f-f86da3bd80f7
[11] https://landing.freelance.com/fr/etude-freelancing-france/
[12] https://www.usinenouvelle.com/article/freelance-informatique-un-metier-d-avenir-stimule-par-les-plateformes-digitales.N2005667
[13] https://landing.freelance.com/fr/etude-freelancing-france/
