We’re in the middle—or perhaps it’s only the beginning—of a complex and perplexing evolution of the workforce.
Forbes reports that more people quit their jobs in April 2021 than in any single month in nearly a century. Meanwhile, Korn Ferry’s research shows that Baby Boomers are aging out of the workforce without nearly enough trained and experienced young people to fill the jobs they leave behind, and that by 2030, every country except India will face a shortage of skilled workers. The US economy looks to be the hardest hit of all. The top two industries facing crucial skills shortages are two of ASGN’s key customer industries, financial services and TMT (technology, media & telecom).
Through all of this, the increasingly digital nature of our world means that every company invests hugely in IT infrastructure, innovation, automation, and modernization.
It’s not just remote meeting software. Cars for example have become so digital that installing a software update can change the steering feel, throttle response, and suspension characteristics. That a car still seems like a purely mechanical device with a navigation screen added is due to a lot of effort to make it seem like the same thing: The steering wheel and pedals haven’t changed. With technology becoming an integral part of every product and manufacturing process, so too every company now has to worry about data security and hackers. In parallel, they must build a robust digital infrastructure to support employee productivity, well-being and corporate culture.
Across industries the need for tech skills is greater than ever. Not surprisingly this has created a tech talent war that is only growing. Salary levels offered by tech companies for the most highly skilled candidates have reached stratospheric levels. At the same time, both companies and workers are seeking flexible workforce models. Companies look to meet needs cost-effectively across business cycles with variable costs rather than full-time-employee headcount, and many skilled workers want to be able to choose when to work and which gigs to take. ASGN is focused on helping businesses meet their digital innovation, transformation, modernization, and infrastructure challenges with exactly this kind of shared-resources model. It’s a perfect fit.