The tip of 2024 provides us with a probability to reflect on our experiences and achievements within the last 12 months. It’s also the perfect moment to take into consideration what we would like in 2025, as a few of us seek changes or a fresh start indirectly or one other.
What about on the earth of labor? We’ve already explored the opportunities for professionals in search of everlasting positions within the 12 months ahead. On this blog, we’ll take a look at where contractors can look forward to finding exciting projects in 2025.
Why are so many contractor jobs available?
In a recent edition of Hays’ LinkedIn newsletter, The Talent Blueprint, we explored the explanations that organisations should turn to a blended workforce of everlasting staff and contractors. Employers need to herald specialists who offer expertise, experience and variety of thought. Working with contractors allows them to do that effectively while maintaining the flexibleness that’s change into all necessary lately.
As such, there’ll proceed to be loads of opportunities for highly expert professionals in 2025, so it’s a very good time to be looking for projects as a contractor.
Criteria when selecting a brand new contractor job
- Greater flexibility: As uncovered within the Hays Salary Guides within the US and Canada, this has been the preferred reason for contractors to change from everlasting roles in 2024.
- Learning opportunities: Selecting a brand new project can also be about finding the best balance between utilising your expertise and supporting your personal development. Contracting offers the chance for normal exposure to latest areas. Naureen Jamal, an IT contractor in Canada and our first guest within the Contractor Hacks YouTube series, explained: “The areas during which I feel most confident are where I like to take a look at jobs – in addition to opportunities for growth. I don’t wish to be stagnant or simply are available, only do my job and be out. I need to have the ability to learn from that have”.
- Remuneration: While many organisations turn to contractors to be able to reduce costs, professionals can expect higher every day pay than they’d in a everlasting position.
The highest industries to search out contractor jobs in 2025
Pharmaceuticals
The UK’s Golden Triangle (London, Oxford, Cambridge) stays a hub for innovation and there’s high demand in Research & Development, with skill shortages often met through contingent hiring. Inside this space, AI-enabled drug discovery and ATMP discovery, development and production are key skills.
In France, demand for contract jobs will deal with biostatisticians, regulatory affairs specialists and clinical research associates. With the pharmaceutical industry’s digital transformation, roles in data management, machine learning and AI specialists may even be wanted. Sustainability roles for eco-friendly pharmaceutical processes will gain prominence. For contractors, 2025 will see a robust shift towards flexible and distant work arrangements. Firms may even emphasise ongoing training and development to make sure consultants stay awake up to now with rapid industry changes.
Germany’s pharmaceutical sector will see high demand for contractors in data evaluation, digital therapeutics and personalised medicine. Regulatory affairs and compliance professionals may even be crucial as a result of stringent regulations. Moreover, the variety of contract research and manufacturing roles will grow as corporations seek to boost efficiency and reduce costs.
The biggest demand for contract staff within the US will proceed to be inside drug discovery and manufacturing. At the large pharmaceutical corporations, roughly 80% of the positions within the latter field will likely be contract roles. Expect opportunities as lab technicians and in quality control, albeit mostly below a senior level. We’re also seeing a big spike in pay for technical positions, although these are fewer in number than the opposite roles mentioned.
Tech
Tech professionals on the lookout for contract work can look forward to finding loads of projects worldwide in 2025. Even though it’s a competitive market, the necessity for specialists with area of interest skillsets signifies that organisations of every kind will proceed with contingent hiring. In additional to digital transformation, the evolution of AI and growing cyber security challenges offer exciting opportunities.
For a way of what you possibly can expect to earn in 2025, it’s price taking a look at our Tech Contractor Day Rate guides within the UK, Ireland and Australia.
Engineering
As with technology, there are opportunities for engineers across a spread of sectors. From infrastructure to technology and telecommunications, there’s demand globally for individuals who can join organisations for particular projects.
Paul Gibbens, National Specialism Director of Engineering for Hays UK&I, comments: “The temporary engineering recruitment market within the UK has been growing steadily. The engineering market within the UK is sort of diverse, with several sectors showing strong demand for contractors.
“Major infrastructure projects, equivalent to the HS2 high-speed rail network and various road and bridge upgrades, require a considerable variety of engineering contractors. The expansion of 5G networks and advancements in technology infrastructure create opportunities for contractors specialising in telecommunications and IT engineering, Embedded Software and Software Development.”
Sustainable energy / ESG
In Europe, the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) means organisations are under pressure to measure their carbon emissions across all scopes. In Germany, this has led to greater demand for expert professionals because, while the variety of undergraduate degrees in sustainability is growing, employers are in search of experience. Consequently, a recent report from Hays Austria and Germany found that 98% of corporations are recruiting external support or consulting on this subject.
With the UK’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions, there’s a big push towards renewable energy projects, including wind, solar and tidal energy. Contractors with expertise in these areas are in high demand.
Likewise, in Canada, the efforts to convert buildings to more energy efficient spaces will see greater demand for Energy Managers, in addition to ESG Managers and Facilities Managers.
Further reading on preparing for contractor jobs:
