More than half of global human capital leaders expect to transfer one-third of their permanent positions to contingent roles in the near future, according to information from Randstad Sourceright’s Q4 2017 Talent Trends report.

The report’s survey included 700 global human capital leaders in 15 countries. It found that 61% of employers plan to replace up to 30% of their permanent positions with freelancers, gig workers and independent contractors to become more agile and flexible in the changing economy. Nearly 40% of employers surveyed expect they will be able to reduce the impact of talent scarcity by having an integrated hiring strategy.

“While in the last decade contingent workers have been viewed very differently as compared to full time positions, today’s companies are welcoming the opportunity to employ a more agile workforce, particularly as a greater number of gig workers embrace flexible work practices as well,” Randstad Sourceright CEO Rebecca Henderson said.

Additional findings from the survey include:

• Talent scarcity: 69% of employers said the talent gap is widening and will create greater challenges in the near future, while 25% consider talent scarcity to be their largest concern.
• Contingent workers: 61% of human capital leaders said they expect to shift more of their roles to contingent workers in the next 12 months.
• Global workers: 74% of those surveyed believe the right person for the job may be an employee, contractor or contingent worker from anywhere in the world.
• Upskilling: Half of the employers surveyed, 50%, said they have increased budgets for reskilling programs in 2017.