The workforce solutions industry is constantly changing — and often at a rapid pace. From technology to regulations to employment sourcing innovations and economic trends, continued education is required sustain a successful career.

That said, the pathway to a career in contingent workforce management is rarely straightforward. Not many participating in today’s contingent workforce industry set out to have such a career. The basics to enter the field are typically learned while already employed in procurement, HR or another facet of the workforce ecosystem rather than via a traditional course of instruction at a college or university.

And basic industry knowledge will only take you so far.

So, where do you go to find that crucial information that will make you a best-in-class contingent workforce manager? The pipeline of industry knowledge can be leveraged from a variety of sources.

“There is a lot of information and resources available for a CW professional looking to keep on top of their game and stay on top of the events, trends and best practices being deployed in the fast-changing CW marketplace,” says Stephen Clancy, SIA’s senior director, contingent workforce strategies, knowledge and research. “Some of these resources required an investment for access, but many are available publicly and only cost the time it takes to attend a webinar, listen to a podcast or reading through a SIA CWS 3.0 article or publicly available research report of note.”

In order to highlight some sources of information CW professionals can tap into to bolster their knowledge, Clancy developed what he calls a knowledge pipeline stack.

Here are resources Clancy advises program managers seek out.

Industry market research and advisory membership services. Private research organizations including SIA publish current, in-depth information on the staffing and contingent workforce industries. While membership or a fee are sometimes required to access research reports, highlights are often available at no cost. Additionally, vendors to the CW industry — such as staffing or IT providers — often conduct custom research they share with clients and others at no cost. SIA’s Custom Research is an example of this of type publicly available complementary research.

Advisory membership services are another source of information that can be tailored to your specific needs. These services can also provide membership networking opportunities and focused user groups.

“Industry market research and advisory membership services is a very cost-effective access to critical industry trends, events and best practices,” Clancy says. “Typically, these are multi-client subscription arrangements that give members access to research and advisory services that would cost ten to twenty times more if purchased as an individual custom research engagement.”

Industry knowledge events. Webinars are a great way to learn directly from people on the front lines who are dealing the same issues you may face. They are offered through a variety of avenues including webinars, industry organizations and suppliers. Law firms specializing in workplace management also often host webinars on legal topics that managers must be knowledgeable about.

Conferences provide a great way to learn about trending topics and view the most recent offerings from vendors. They also present an opportunity to build a network of like-minded professionals and relationships with tenured leaders in contingent workforce management and the marketplace. In addition to SIA’s annual CWS Summit, some suppliers and other CW industry organizations such as the ASA (American Staffing Association) also host conferences.

Professional networking. Learning from others’ direct experiences can help you avoid common mistakes and help guide you as you make critical decisions for your program. Industry events such as conferences produced by SIA provide significant opportunities to network with other contingent workforce management professionals. Make sure also to join industry groups on LinkedIn and other online sites.

“Discussing with other CW professionals in the marketplace program challenges, trends, innovations and best practices can be a very powerful learning experience,” Clancy says. “Certainly not every approach to program management is exactly the same, but seeing how others optimize their delivery of high quality CW services can be very insightful and empowering.”

Industry editorial. The contingent workforce ecosystem is dynamic, and it is crucial to stay on top of new developments. In addition to CWS 3.0, SIA covers industry developments through other publications such as the CWS Daily News newsletter, Staffing Industry Review magazine and newsletters that focus on select segments. It also hosts guest content from thought leaders throughout the ecosystem on its Staffing Stream vertical. Other organizations also publish news pertinent to the CW ecosystem.

Some suppliers to the industry also share their industry expertise through their own newsletters or blog sites, as do membership organizations serving a particular sector, such as TechServe Alliance for IT and engineering or NALTO, the National Association of Locum Tenens Organizations.

Industry certification, accreditations and training. Although you might be hard-pressed to find a university offering a bachelor’s degree in contingent workforce management, there are certification credentials available that will prepare newcomers for a successful career in the CW industry and keep industry veterans updated on the newest trends and best practice strategies. These certifications also serve as recognition of your industry knowledge. SIA provides contingent workforce program management training through its CCWP certification as well as workshops for risk management and statement-of-work management.

The ASA also offers learning and certification programs, as do vendors of specific tools and technologies. And some higher education institutions may have programs that can relate to contingent workforce management, such as business development or human resources.

“As is the case in most established industries, the creation of market insight and best practices is fairly available through multiple information resources, some complementary and some for a fee,” Clancy says. “Hence, it is incumbent for CW professionals to establish a knowledge pipeline that delivers up-to-date information and insight on CW market trends, events and best practices.” Market information and strategic insight provides critical visibility to control and manage the value a CW professional is creating and delivering in the marketplace, he adds.

Most contingent workforce managers have a story around how they entered the field, with few taking a direct path. And the industry and its tools are continually changing and evolving, requiring successful managers to keep updated, informed and constantly learning. But that’s what keeps it interesting!

Reach out to SIA for more information on CCWP, webinars and other opportunities to stay informed.