There’s no doubt the last few years have been volatile.
Having been leaders in the technology recruitment space for over 20 years we’ve seen our fair share of change. From the 2008 GFC to the Great Rehire to the Great Resignation (and everything in between) technology has evolved at an unprecedented pace.
As Head of the ERP team Genesis IT, I can confidently say that whatever changes occur in the market, experienced SAP professionals will always be in demand. But before you all race to the contracting desk, you should be cognisant of the following factors.
What are the Benefits of Contracting?
Tight Applicant Pools
The unemployment rate in Australia remains at a low 3.5% and our clients are seeing a tighter applicant pool. This puts skilled SAP candidates in a strong position to take advantage of the competition for talent.
Skills shortage in Australia
Post Covid, Australia is still experiencing significant skills shortages. According to an Accenture study last year, Australia needs to achieve 1.2 million workers in tech roles by 2030. To achieve this there will need to be a significant uplift in skilled technology migrants into the country. What this means for skilled technology workers in Australia now is that you are in a good position!
Volume of Contracting Roles
The volume of contracting roles generally remains higher than permanent opportunities.
Increased Exposure to Different SAP Environments
Contracting roles can offer more varied work compared to remaining on the same project long term. Career contractors often say they are given more exposure to S4 Hana projects, across multiple industries and multiple SAP environments.
Financial Benefits
While contracting roles do not necessarily provide the long-term security of a permanent position, they do generally pay approximately 30-40% more. You can also take advantage of tax breaks if you set up your own ABN.
Flexibility
Contractors can test out projects in different industries and generally have more choice around their working hours, location and type of work they choose to undertake.
Ask yourself how important is flexibility to you? Do you enjoy the variety gained from working on different projects? Can you afford to have some time off in between contracts, or do you prefer to know where you stand? Does your lifestyle afford flexibility at this stage, or are you constrained by school holidays, mortgage repayments etc?
Increase Your Network
Whilst there are some exceptions to this rule, career contractors tend to build a broader network than individuals who stay in long-term permanent roles. In fact, building your personal brand as a contractor is paramount to ongoing success, so for the introverts amongst you, it may be time to get out of your comfort zone!
The Decision Always Comes Down to the Individual
There’s no hard and fast rule as to whether contracting is better than permanent work (and vice versa). It comes down to the individual, their drivers, their personal commitments and their long-term career goals.
I’ve seen so many career contractors thrive, after all, there’s a lot to be said for going into a dynamic project, performing well, meeting new colleagues and picking up a range of new skills along the way.
Next month I’ll be talking about the advantages of taking permanent ERP roles.
In the meantime, if you would like to speak to me or my team about your own career goals or the ERP market right now, please feel free to contact me via LinkedIn
