An increase in rates is predicted in virtually all occupational groups for self-employed workers and professionals employed by secondment agencies. This emerges from a rate prediction model for 114 professions developed by labor market data specialist Intelligence Group, which it is presenting for the first time this year in cooperation with HR service provider HeadFirst Group. Han Kolff, CEO of HeadFirst Group, spoke about it with BNR.
Flexible staffing is expected to be about 7% more expensive next year, with appropriate differences within occupational groups. 'We expect the biggest increase on the practical side of the market, with an average increase of 10%. Where there are large shortages of skilled workers - such as plumbers, carpenters and assembly workers - hourly rates will even go up by >20%.'
Vacancy rate
'Because of scarcity, inflation trends and COVID-19, it is an exorbitant year to develop a forecasting model. These are very important trends,' Kolff says. 'The vacancy rate - the number of job openings per 1,000 employee jobs - is the biggest indicator that determines how rates develop. If year-on-year the number of vacancies increases, that's a sign of scarcity and you'll see rates adjusted accordingly. So you will sometimes have to pay a little more for sought-after professionals.'
More freedom
Kolff argues for more freedom in the labor market. 'Perhaps other legislation can provide more room on the flex market. Zzp'ers do not always have it easy. At the bottom of the market we must protect people well, so that they are not forced to work for too low a price. And for the top of the market, there must be freedom to do business. The market is blunted by legislation, because it leaves no room for further growth.'
According to Kolff, it is very interesting to see which occupations are going in which direction. 'But the distribution could be a lot better, people should be better guided from job to job. That's what we as the Netherlands must continue to focus on.'
About the report
A long-held wish has come true: to make hourly rates predictable. We do it in the Talent Monitor 'Forecast rate development professionals 2022'! The next step towards more datadriven hiring and a good hold for freelancers and secondment agents in the flex market who want to know what they are worth. In the report we make statements about the expected rate increase/decrease in 114 professional groups, with extra attention to 51 professional groups in which mostly highly educated professionals are active. The report is free to download from our hfgroup.headfirst.group website.