The Rise of Gig Work: Skills-Based Hiring, Challenges, and the Future of the Workforce w/ Art Knapp, CEO of HireGenics

Summary: Gig work is transforming traditional career paths, with 30-40% of clients now relying on gig workers driven by flexibility, COVID-19’s impact, and evolving workforce priorities. Art Knapp, CEO of Hierogenics, unpacks the MSP industry’s need for higher-quality services, cultural differences in work loyalty, and the increasing importance of skills-based hiring. In this episode, we look at gig work trends, skills gap, employer-employee relationships, flexibility, upskilling, social media influence, and the evolving MSP landscape—all shaping the future of HR, talent acquisition, and workforce planning. Key Takeaways: MSP Industry Needs Higher Service Quality: The MSP industry's lack of evolution and decline in service quality highlights a need for improved standards. Growth in Gig Work: The gig economy is expanding, with 30-40% of clients depending on gig workers due to flexibility and the lasting effects of COVID-19. Classification Challenges for Gig Workers: Defining gig workers’ roles is complex, affecting how they’re perceived and treated within companies. Generational Perception Differences: Younger generations prioritize engaging work over long-term loyalty, influencing how they view gig roles. Rise of Skills-Based Hiring: Companies are increasingly adopting skills-based hiring, though assessing skills remains a challenge. Shared Responsibility for Upskilling: Both companies and gig workers benefit from skill development, with businesses standing to gain from investing in their gig workforce. Skills Gap Risks in the Gig Economy: Without upskilling, gig work may contribute to a widening skills gap in the labor market. Outsourcing and In-House Functions: Companies are reassessing which functions can be outsourced to gig workers versus those that require in-house talent. Transactional Employer-Employee Relationships: Employer-employee relationships are increasingly transactional, with brand loyalty giving way to flexibility and independence. Social Media’s Impact on Reputation: Social media complicates reputation management, as both individuals and organizations navigate public perception. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Overview 07:51 The Rise of Gig Work and its Drivers 13:03 Classifying and Managing Perception of Gig Workers 17:07 The Importance of Skills-Based Hiring 22:10 The Responsibility for Upskilling Gig Workers 24:28 The Potential Impact of Gig Work on Upskilling and the Skills Gap 32:48 The Evolving Nature of the Employer-Employee Relationship 37:12 The Importance of Loyalty to a Brand 42:22 Cultural Differences Between Traditional Industries and the Gig Economy Connect with Art Knapp here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-knapp-591184/ William Tincup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/ Ryan Leary LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/ Connect with WRKdefined on your favorite social network The Site | Substack | LinkedIn | Instagram | X | Facebook | TikTok Share your brand across the WRKdefined Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices