1. The Expansive Learning Network presents Exploring the Gig Economy

2. The gig economy and the future of work
Meave Noonan
PhD Candidate, RMIT University
Researcher-in-residence, Geelong Region LLEN

3. What is the gig economy?
The rise of non-traditional ways of working and providing goods and services
temporary, task-by-task forms of employment
Emergence of digital talent platforms
e.g. Uber, Airtasker, Deliveroo
Also known as the ‘sharing economy’
‘collaborative economy’
or ‘on-demand economy’

4. What is the gig economy? ‘Independent’ workers – 4 segments
free agents, actively choose independent work and derive their primary income from it
casual earners use independent work for supplemental income and do so by choice
reluctants make their primary living from independent work but would prefer traditional jobs
the financially strapped do supplemental independent work out of necessity (McKinsey Global Institute 2016)

5. How many people are employed in the gig economy?
Estimates from the US and UK vary
30% of Australian workers are operating in non-traditional types of work (Grattan Institute 2016)
70% of Australians <34 are open to using a digital talent platform, such as Airtasker, Freelancer, or Uber to source income in the next year (Foundation for Young Australians 2015)

6. What are the benefits of the gig economy?
Autonomy and accessibility
Low barriers to entry
download the app and start working
Flexibility of working hours
A way to ‘top up’ earnings
Benefits to the wider economy - create jobs and raise GDP

7. What are some of the risks?
Inherently insecure and unpredictable
‘Zero hours’ contracts and underemployment
Globalisation of the workforce

8. The gig economy – controversy and debate

9. The gig economy – controversy and debate
Is the gig economy actually a new phenomenon?
Home work/ piece work/ on-call work
Are gig workers ‘independent contractors’, ‘workers’ or ‘employees’?
Rights to the minimum wage, unfair dismissal protections, holiday and sick pay, superannuation?

10. The gig economy and the future of work
Source: Connolly, E & Lewis, C (2010) Structural Change in the Australian Economy, Reserve Bank of Australia Bulletin

11. The gig economy and the future of work

12. The gig economy and the future of work
Full-time permanent employment model is in decline
Portfolio careers
Today’s young people will likely have several different careers across several different industries within their lifetime
Shake-up of existing education, training, careers, skills development approaches

13. Continue the conversation!

14. Thank you

15. The Expansive Learning Network presents Exploring the Gig Economy

16. Ross George

17. Sue Cartwright
Carli Saw

18. Accredited Practising Dietician
Wayne Elliott
Naomi Lawrance
Accredited Practising Dietician

19. Colin Vernon

20. Q & A with the panel

21. Workshop

22. Questions for workshop
What are the main issues you believe need to be explored more, or addressed, if those in the community are to have the best opportunities to find meaningful work in a gig economy labour market?
What regional strategies do you believe would help most for a successful transition to this new way of working?

23. Thankyou to our sponsors and supporters

24. Thankyou to our sponsors and supporters