(SitNews) Anchorage, Alaska - In recent years, a trend toward flexible, non-traditional work has enticed an increasing amount of the country’s workforce. A recent study commissioned by the Alaska Division of Economic Development suggests that Alaska’s workforce is no exception to this trend. The report offers insights into factors that foster a vibrant freelancer industry and the impact of the emerging industry in Alaska.

The study suggests that each dollar earned by a freelancer generates an additional $0.67 in gross sales to other businesses and $0.33 in profits, wages and indirect taxes. One-third of Alaska freelancers surveyed said their business has grown within the last year and 80 percent expect their business to remain stable or even grow in the year to come.

“With uncertainty surrounding Alaska’s economic future and state spending reduced due to the plunge in oil prices, this type of economic resiliency is even more important for our state,” said Chris Hladick, commissioner of the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development.

The freelance industry represents 53 million workers nationwide, an increase of 700,000 from the year before. While the nationwide trend sees mainly millennials in the freelance worker category, Alaska’s freelancers represent a different demographic. Based on this survey, freelancers in Alaska tend to be over the age of 55, predominantly female, and are more likely to have completed post-secondary education. Many are retired and most work part-time.

The full report is available online from the Alaska Division of Economic Development. It contains in-depth information on the freelance workforce including demographics, motivation for location decisions, industries served, support services and more.

On the Web:

Independent workers: Alaska’s emerging workforce (Download PDF)

Reporting & Editing by Mary Kauffman, SitNews

Source of News:

Alaska Department of Commerce - Division of Economic Development
https://www.commerce.alaska.gov

 

 

 

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