Equipping the self-employed with training and skills: Data brief 2023
- Research
- 26 May 2023
In order to understand whether freelancers undertake training and skills and compare this to employees, we asked freelancers whether they have carried out any professional or work-related training in the last year.
Our survey of freelancers now reveals that almost half of freelancers (48%) have undertaken professional or work-related training in the last 12 months. In comparison, we know that 61 per cent of employers provided training to their employees between 2019 and 2020.
Concerningly, over half of freelancers (51%) reported that they have not undertaken any professional or work-related training in the last 12 months whilst one per cent were unsure.
Other responses from freelancers focused on the need to balance training with the needs of upcoming contracts and also the value of training to a freelance business.
“There is a "sweet spot" where a new contract has been won, but not yet started, when investing money in training that is pertinent to the new contract is seen as a good investment.”
Read the full data brief“The podcast skills I learnt were not core to my business - but were absolutely fundamental to raising my profile and thus acquiring new clients.”
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