Are training programmes relevant to gig worker needs?

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Training Programmes for Gig Workers Raise Questions of Relevance and Practicality

The relevance and effectiveness of training programmes offered to gig workers under Budget 2023 are being questioned, particularly concerning their alignment with the individual needs of gig workers and broader structural changes in the labour market. While Budget 2023 includes provisions for skills training fees for gig workers in micro-credentials programmes, the fundamental drivers for gig work, often survival or supplementary income, raise concerns about how such training addresses immediate financial needs and long-term career sustainability.
Micro-Credentials and Gig Worker Livelihoods

Budget 2023 proposes covering skills training fees for gig workers participating in micro-credentials programmes. This initiative is intended to foster human capital development within a rapidly evolving job landscape shaped by technological advancements and other global megatrends. However, the underlying motivation for many individuals engaging in gig work is often rooted in immediate financial necessity, whether to meet daily living expenses or to supplement primary income. This context prompts a critical examination of how these programmes directly contribute to improved survival and financial stability for gig workers.
Alignment with Individual and Market Needs

A significant point of contention is whether the proposed training programmes are sufficiently tailored to the specific needs and preferences of individual gig workers. Furthermore, the question arises as to how these programmes account for the dynamic structural changes occurring within the labour market. Without a clear understanding of the direct applicability of the micro-credentials to current job demands and the career aspirations of gig workers, the efficacy of these training initiatives remains a subject of debate.
Addressing the Core Drivers of Gig Work

The fundamental reasons behind gig work, as highlighted, often centre on immediate economic survival or the pursuit of secondary income. This reality raises pertinent questions about how gig workers can effectively manage their budgets to ensure better survival. The effectiveness of any training programme, therefore, must be assessed not only on its skill-building potential but also on its capacity to provide practical solutions that enhance the immediate economic well-being and long-term prospects of gig workers in Malaysia.

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Are training programmes relevant to gig worker needs?

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