Dive Brief:

• No one today doubts that the scarcity of skilled workers is plaguing U.S. employers. As a result, hiring temporary workers and independent contractors can help those employers navigate talent gaps and continue operating on all cylinders, according to a recent survey.
• The new research, from CareerBuilder and Emsi (a CareerBuilder division), found that more employers will delve into this labor segment from now through 2018.
• Within that timeframe, the survey's results predict that temporary employment will add 173,478 jobs, an increase of 5.9%, from an analysis based on data pulled from more 100 national and state employment resources. In a separate Harris Poll study (CareerBuilder commissioned), 47% of employers say they plan to hire temporary or contract workers in 2016, up slightly from 46% last year.

Dive Insight:

As part of its research, CareerBuilder built a list of fast-growing occupations for temporary employment within that two-year period (2016 to 2018). The top five occupations having at least 10,000 jobs available that are expected to grow 6% or more (and pay $15 or more per hour) are computer service representatives, administrative assistants (excluding legal, medical and executive), human resources specialists, construction laborers and registered nurses.

Kyle Braun, president of CareerBuilder's Staffing and Recruiting Group, says that today there are nearly three million people employed in temporary jobs, and that number will continue to grow at a healthy pace over the next few years.

Temporary employment benefits both sides of the labor equation, says Braun, as hiring temporary and contract workers helps employers stay flexible and adapt quickly to changing market demands. For workers, it opens doors for those who want to utilize various skills, build relationships with different organizations and explore career options.