Economic downturn sees surge in numbers of self-employed engineers

The UK’s economic recession has forged a new generation of home-grown entrepreneurs, with more than a quarter of respondents in the engineering sector describing themselves as ‘self-employed’, and among the rest, more than 60% expressing a desire to work more independently, according to the latest survey from global workforce solutions leader Kelly Services.

The findings are part of the Kelly global Workforce index, which obtained the views of approximately 134,000 people, including approximately 6,000 in the UK. The survey also found that 21% of respondents have been bitten by the entrepreneurial bug and want to start their own business, with gen Y (aged 18-29) the most enthusiastic about a commercial venture.

Those who are self-employed – also known as independent contractors or free agents – are more likely to be gen X (aged 30-47) and baby boomers (aged 48-65), and are mostly male.

Kelly Services General Manager John Callagher says, “Many of those who lost their jobs as a result of the global economic crisis are seizing the opportunity to reinvent themselves as independent contractors, freelancers and consultants, as well as starting their own businesses. Today, more people are taking charge of their own careers and view self-employment as a way of achieving personal and professional success.”