Most German experts agree that 2023 is a challenge on the skill front. While many other people have experienced the monetary and emotional hardships of wasting their jobs, the overall job market in Germany and the EU remains incredibly tight. According to a recent report, Germany has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the EU.
So what does this mean for self-employment in Germany?To provide the most productive answer imaginable, a dozen CEOs or managing managers of independent German platforms have exclusively delivered to Forbes and Freelance-Focus their forecasts for the independent economy in Germany over the next two years. CEOs lead a diversity of organizations, from the largest to the smallest, some of which work heavily with Germany’s largest corporations and others primarily serve startups and small businesses. This is the query that was made to them.
How is the freelance revolution prepared in Germany?What are your predictions for the freelance economy in Germany in 2023 – 2024?Is it positive or pessimistic and, if so, why?
Here’s how they responded:
Kelvin Wetherill, CEO of NerdApp. ” We are optimistic about the long-term of independents in Germany. On the source side, we’ve been incredibly inspired by the quality of IT professionals we’ve brought to the country, the tech skills shortage has left many unemployed, so platforms like ours allow other people to make money as a stopgap resource or give them the confidence to move on to full-time freelancers. educate corporations and work with legislators. “
Thomas Maas, CEO Freelancermap. ” Many permanent positions can no longer be filled. This is partly due to the shortage of professional staff and demographic adjustments in Germany, but also to a basic change of attitude in the way other people wish to shape their professional future. They want flexibility but also security. It is precisely this domain of tension that constitutes the challenge for the coming years. Companies and policymakers in Germany want to create an environment in which freelancers have greater legal rights and bureaucratic responsibilities are less difficult for them. »
Deya Aliaga Kuhnle, CEO of DBM Bootcamp. Compared to the United States, the giant German corporations are still quite classic and less open to freelancing. There is also less familiarity with remote work software, tools and more productive practices to make it easier to work with freelancers. I am sure because there is a growing interest on the skill side. While Germany is definitely lagging behind in the freelancing revolution as a whole, COVID-19 has forced German corporations to be more open-minded about flexible operation, remote setups, and virtual transformation, but there is still a long way to go. . My big concerns: 1) virtual literacy, 2) health insurance for the self-employed, and 3) complex bureaucracy; Moreover, resources for German independents are still scarce and unclear. »
Dirk Henke, Managing Director of DACH Malt”. We remain optimistic. More than a third of the German population can believe in an independent life, especially between 18 and 29 years old (44%) and graduates (42%). In Malta, there is also a 63% increase in enrolments in classic professions such as human resources or finance. Now is the time for corporations to strengthen their strategic merit by creating a holistic technique for skills control that includes freelancers. and economies of skills and fight against bogus self-employment; 87% of independent experts in Germany are satisfied with their career selection and do not plan to be workers again. “
Manuel Meurer, CEO of Uplink. ” Self-employment in Germany has been on the rise for years, but the pandemic has given it a huge boost, with professionals moving into self-employment in the IT and start-up sector, and corporations seeing freelancers as a viable option for full-time workers. Now, in 2023, we are seeing the dismissal of many workers from start-ups and large technology corporations, which I am sure will be the cause of many going through freelancers. Needs in Germany favor workers over the self-employed, for example, pensions, maternity/paternity leave and unclear regulations related to “bogus self-employment” still push many giant corporations to become self-employed altogether. »
Ömer Güven, CEO of Finskillability. ” We have found that in Germany, the appeal of conservatism remains strong. In our space, more freelancers than last year seem to be returning to full-time jobs. Others in the past interested in adapting to self-employed have replaced jobs and are waiting another year or two. We also note that German corporations are increasingly open to operating with freelancers, including in mergers and acquisitions. So, it’s an attractive time: On the one hand, professionals understand freelancing like dicy and corporations open up because they want skill or have to deal with hiring freezes.
Marc Clemens, CEO of CodeControl “Driven by skills shortages and the post-pandemic work environment, self-employment in Germany has grown tremendously in recent years. Growth has been most powerful in completely virtual and in-demand areas: e. g. technology/IT, Marketing, Recruitment, etc. We also see new independent startups bringing novelties to freelancers and businesses. As the number of organized independent markets skyrockets, new and cutting-edge business models are also emerging. The No. 1 threat in Germany is still the lack of a transparent and forward-looking regulatory framework.
Hans-Ulrich von Freyberg, CEO of Vicoland. La expansion of the self-employed in Germany is not a fad, it is a megatrend: during the more than 30 years at proArray, the number of freelancers has tripled from 0. 5 to 1. 5 million. This expansion has been continuous until 2022 and is unlikely to prevent there will be Continued expansion will be driven through cutting-edge tactics to make self-employment more attractive to corporate clients. These inventions come with independent groups solidly organized into structures like virtual businesses that can compete with classic professional firms.
Pawel Netreba, CEO Getyourtechskillability. Several points give a contribution to a booming independent economy. 1) The challenging economic environment, 2) layoffs, 3) More staff working remotely or from home, and 4) hiring freezes and layoffs restrict businesses as fewer staff will have to take care of day-to-day operations, in addition to restructuring and creating plenty of space for freelancers to fill in the gaps. As a result, we are seeing a strong accumulation of programs and programs. Companies are laying off staff and few are hiring full-time. . We are seeing an increase in submissions and applications for independent and short-term projects. Therefore, more skill is looking for aspect monitors or short-term projects. So, we’re pretty positive about what’s coming.
Paul Weinreich, MD Junico. As a result of the pandemic, bookings on freelancers are reduced in many corporations, as they can be more easily incorporated thanks to the hybrid work culture that now exists. This is accompanied by a tendency to integrate freelancers into the corporate culture as full temporary employees. This is exactly where labour law disorders can arise in Germany, as existing legislation prohibits treating the self-employed as employees. In the past, for example, it was already a threat for companies to invite freelancers to their Christmas party. .
David Küpper, Co-CEO Expert Powerhouse. We expect the independent economy in Germany to grow strongly over the next two years. More and more people are looking for attractive assignment opportunities for flexible and often remote working. They a great competitive advantage. Aging demographics will further boost Germany’s independent economy. The German Statistical Office states that our younger population is shrinking and there will be a much smaller workforce in those age groups.
And thanks to Christian Moldenhauer, co-CEO of Expert Powerhouse, for asking Chat GPT about their answer to the question:
“Germany is experiencing a trend in self-employment development, with a significant increase in the number of self-employed in recent years. According to the Federal Statistical Office, the number of self-employed in Germany has increased by almost 30% in recent years. The The freelance revolution in Germany is driven by a combination of factors, including hard labor market adjustments, technological advances, and a growing preference for greater flexibility and autonomy at work. The main benefits of freelancing is the flexibility it offers. Flexibility has been especially hot for young staff who are looking for a better work/life balance. The German government has identified the developing trend of self-employment and has put policies in place for them. The government has brought a series of tax breaks and other incentives to inspire other people to become independent. Helped to create a more favorable environment for the self-employed in Germany. In general, the free Lance Revolution in Germany is going well, and more and more people are choosing to become self-employed. Although there are still demanding situations ahead, the freelance trend is expected to continue in the coming years.
Long the revolution!