What is the Freelancer Market?

The origins of the freelancer market are lost in the mists of time, it is our oldest form of trading. Through early forms of bartering at stone-age and middle-age encampments to the local markets of villages and town and ultimately to internationalisation of trade via the spice and silk trails, individuals supplied their services to a global market place in vast numbers (millions) in diverse skills, trades, competency levels and nationalities.

The word 'freelancer' comes from the Middle Ages and quite literally describes the role of a mercenary soldier, one who was not attached to any particular master. The 21st century equivalent is not dissimilar as there is no master to servant relationship between the freelancer and his clients. Weapons of war have been replaced by business technology; military campaigns have been replaced with large CAPEX Projects, however mobility and flexibility are still essential.

In the Middle Ages, it was the best trained and equipped who were sought out: in today’s fast moving business society, freelancers represent the very best talent in all sectors, they are individuals endowed with the precise skills, capabilities and self motivated attitudes that are now sought after around the globe.

By the 19^th century, groups of freelancers organised themselves and merged into associations of trades and guilds many of which are long gone but served their purpose of the day.  They evolved a structure which was to define them as professionals and empowered them to deliver greater marketing power, bulk buying power, lobbying power and trade protection. They defined the standards and quality to which their members had to aspire and ultimately this gave them a voice and the recognition they sought, the force of trading authority.

In the Present Day

In the 21^st century, the demand for skilled individuals with the same ethos of quick mobilisation, knowledge, skills and experience has outstripped demand and both freelancers and the buyers of their services have become disconnected. Existing barriers are expanding, new ones arrive each day such that the distance between the buyer/seller relationships increases to the point of lost opportunity and profitability for all stakeholders.

Governments, private investment and industry worldwide have embarked on a programme of large CAPEX projects for oil and gas, nuclear, renewable energy, civil infrastructure, MOD, IT and special projects (i.e. 2012 Olympics). This has dramatically increased the need for specialist individuals who have the skills and flexibility of movement to satisfy this ever increasing demand.

One in seven UK workers chooses to work for themselves and the forecasts are for a massive increase. They are the backbone of our ever expanding flexible workforce meeting both Government and private industry labour needs. The UK Labour Force Survey and Workshop statistics has estimated this as being in excess of four million in the UK and it is estimated that it is in excess of 25 million in Europe and beyond.

Challenges

In the Future

The ever increasing demand internationally for skilled labour and professionals together with the acute shortage of suitably qualified personnel has led to the emergence of a new pool of freelancers and end user clients. These requirements come not least from the emerging markets, new European Member States, India, Africa, Australasia and the Americas.

Expert facilitation and advice is now required to capture and manage this huge pool of new freelancers, new end user clients and to integrate them into the existing and expanding freelancer market. IFA Job Diamond is just one of our features designed specifically for this purpose.

Our Purpose

The freelancer market no longer has the form of the traditional physical market place where finished products could be sold or individuals could barter or offer their services in exchange. It is vast, complex, multi-national, legislative, global, political and ultimately without structure.

IFA looks to provide the freelancer market with structure in the form of this portal. IFA's range of services enables both freelancers, intermediaries, end user clients and those who can provide support services and products to extract greater value from their trading relationship. Our aim is to promote and protect this trading relationship by providing an international industry voice to ensure Governments fully understand the value this provides to both their specific national and the global economy and that they are part of the freelancer market stakeholders group.

IFA ’s charter and services have been designed specifically to provide the facility for freelancers and end user clients to maximise their value from a profitable relationship with clarity, simplicity and confidence.