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In the fast-paced world of engineering, professionals are increasingly opting for the flexibility of contracting rather than taking up permanent employment roles.
Contracting offers significant benefits, especially when it comes to flexibility, career development, and the opportunity to gain diverse experiences. While permanent roles offer a standard outlook, contracting provides an alternative that can be more rewarding for those who value flexibility, adaptability and growth. We look at the key factors that make people focus on temporary contracting roles over permanent positions.
Flexibility in when you work
One of the primary advantages of working as a contractor is the control over when you work. As a contractor, you can choose the projects that align with your schedule and professional goals. Whether you prefer short-term contracts that allow you to take breaks in between projects to manage personal commitments, or long-term engagements that span several months, contracting gives you the autonomy to design your career around your life and career needs.
Choosing where you work
This flexibility extends beyond working hours, to include working locally or exploring opportunities across the UK. The engineering sector is broad, and contractors are often required in various locations, from nuclear sites in the Southwest to renewable energy projects in Scotland and the Northeast.
If you’re interested in working away from home, then this can provide even more opportunities for flexibility. By taking on different contracts, you not only diversify your experience but also have the chance to work in multiple regions, gaining wider exposure to a range of industries and projects.
Building skills and industry experience
Another key benefit of contracting is the opportunity it provides to quickly build a robust skill set. When you work as a contractor, you'll typically work with different companies, engineering projects, and technologies. This experience can help you develop expertise at an expedited rate - each contract introduces new challenges, environments, and teams, allowing you to sharpen your skills while gaining insights into industry best practices.
Rachel Fenwick, Senior Recruitment Consultant at NRL, explains;
"Contracting gives people the flexibility to explore a variety of projects and companies, which accelerates industry experience. It’s a great way to build up a strong network of contacts and technical expertise.
We work with candidates who we regularly place in contracting roles because they enjoy the variety of work they can get involved with and enjoy meeting new people. It’s definitely a flexible working arrangement that suits people and provides a range of benefits.”
Supporting career progression
You might be mistaken to think that career progression can be more difficult if you don’t work in a permanent position, but that’s certainly not the case. Many contractors find that the diversity of their project experience opens doors to more senior roles. By showcasing a broad portfolio of skills and accomplishments, contractors can quickly move up the career ladder. Employers value the adaptability and depth of experience across multiple sectors that contractors bring, making them attractive candidates for positions at all levels.
Choosing your preferred payment route
When working as a contractor, there are several ways to manage your payments, giving you further flexibility.
Pay As You Earn (PAYE): Contractors working under PAYE are directly employed by the recruitment agency, or client, and receive their wages after tax deductions, like permanent employees.
Umbrella Company: Contractors can opt to work through an Umbrella company, which acts as an employer and handles taxes, national insurance, and other administrative tasks on your behalf. If you plan to work through several agencies, this option may provide you with a consistent employer, in terms of how HMRC gauge your tax.
Limited Company: Contractors can also choose to set up their own Limited Company, which can offer more tax efficiency and control over financial matters, although it requires more administrative responsibility as you’ll be in charge of managing your own tax and business insurance policies.
Opting for flexibility
For many people, the benefits of contracting such as flexibility in terms of work schedule, location, and career progression, makes it a preferred career choice. It offers the chance to rapidly build skills while exploring a wide variety of projects across the UK.
For those seeking greater autonomy and opportunities to grow, contracting in the engineering sector can be a rewarding career choice.
Interested in contracting?
You can check out our latest temporary roles below.