Contractors can look forward to a future where their educational and training needs are fully catered for. That is the ambition of the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed’s (IPSE) new education and training manager, Lydia Wakefield.
“It is increasingly important that training is improved for contractors. There has been a 28% rise in the number of self-employed people in the last five years, of which IPSE represents around 67,000, and our membership is growing all the time,” Wakefield explains.
She continues: “This makes contracting a very competitive market.Contractors need to up-skill constantly to ensure they are leaders in their field and maintain their reputation with clients.”
Contractors generally train less than employees
The lack of investment in training by contractors is a long-standing issue, says Wakefield. Contractors have traditionally been less likely to engage in training than the employed and research has shown there are several reasons for this:
“Our research is clear: it can be hard for the self-employed to find the right training. The nature of their work means they are often unable to attend traditional nine-to-five training programmes, as time is money. Also, it can be costly and they have to pay for it themselves, sometimes without the ability to claim tax relief for training completed.”
School-leavers need more information about contracting
Wakefield has also identified the limited amount of information available to young people on the prospect of becoming a self-employed contractor: “Getting this kind of information is a basic educational issue that needs to be handled while they’re still at school.”
“Knowledge among school-leavers about working as a contractor is worryingly low. Only 1% of young people learn about self-employment at school and this increases to just 2% at university!” Wakefield continues.
Increasing awareness of ‘enterprise options’
Not one to take statistics at face value, Wakefield has already visited schools and universities to find out their views about self-employment first-hand. She has been encouraged by the reaction she has received from educators and students.
“Teachers, advisors and young people have given very positive feedback to the offer of support from IPSE. Those I spoke to said they would be delighted to work with us as there is so little information available, and resources are often limited.”
University is still the core option for sixth formers, and although Wakefield is pleased about the take-up of apprenticeships in recent times, she believes there is more that can be offered to young people.
“IPSE is already reaching out to Government with a view to increasing awareness of enterprise options for young people generally. Ideally, our new training initiatives will complement the careers support offered in schools, as well as those that are outside of the curriculum.”
Skilled contractors are vital to the new style economy
Wakefield believes that raising awareness of contracting among young people will directly affect economic growth: “Contractors need access to education and training in essential areas.
“They have to be up to speed on legal and tax matters to survive, and they must upskill so they can become recognised leaders in their fields. Working patterns are changing fast and that’s why IPSE wants to develop a relationship with freelancers when they are at the start of their careers.”
The position that Wakefield now fills is the result of ISPE’s extensive research into self-employment. IPSE had identified training as a key concern for contractors and, in recognising that it was well placed to take the matter forward, created this new role.
Wakefield is confident that her new role gives IPSE the leverage needed to make positive change: “I work in a small team that’s dedicated to research, education and training.My role there is two-fold: firstly, I engage with young people to educate them that self-employment is a viable option when they leave school or education; and I also develop affordable and flexible training and resources for our members and other contractors.”
With five years’ work experience in higher education and professional training behind her, plus an earlier career in children’s education services, Wakefield is, undoubtedly, qualified for the job. Nonetheless, she faces a huge task, but does it faze her?
“This is a fast paced environment, so, together with my colleagues, I am developing strategies and moving forward quickly. I am already working on a series of educational programmes and workshops for school-leavers and university graduates to develop the skills needed for being self-employed, as well as a range of training courses for our members.”
Training options will be tailored to contractors’ flexible requirements
Time will tell what these initiatives are, but Wakefield is adamant that they will be designed to suit the specific needs of contractors. She notes that training will be available in a variety of formats,with online options to suit flexible working.
IPSE will supply discounts on training courses, through a mix of industry specific and bite-size generic topics.IPSE hopes this will evolve into a knowledge hub and, says Wakefield, there will be information that anyone can access, as well as more extensive materials for IPSE members.
Keeping the training offering relevant
Wakefield liaises with IPSE’s policy and research teams who,in turn, work closely with the Government. The teams work closely together with common goals and shared awareness of policy developments. She explains: “This means that whenever I go out and speak with universities or schools I’m always equipped with the most up-to-date information about the policy environment contractors have to work within.”
Does Wakefield think there will be support at the highest levels to make this happen? “There is certainly keen interest to improve the UK’s productivity and supporting the training requirements of the self-employed plays a key role here.IPSE’s manifesto and policies state that enterprise needs to be embedded into education. In recent years, the UK has seen the largest decline in freelancers engaging in training compared to the rest of Europe; they are much better at it than we are, and the UK has to up its game in this area.”
She concludes: “Skill shortages are making contracting increasingly competitive and business is getting more regulated all the time. We are always looking for ways to provide the best support and opportunities for the professional development of our members. Right now that means developing new training schemes, but in future that might even see a formal certification or recognition for contractors.”