According to new research from Guidant Global conducted in partnership with Raconteur, 90% of companies say they plan to increase their use of specialist contractors within the next 18 months, with data revealing that the shift toward AI-powered teams is well underway, with over half (53%) of business leaders acknowledging AI as critical to their future success.
As AI continues to reshape the global business landscape, organizations are increasingly turning to blended workforces, a combination of internal, contingent, and external talent, to meet evolving demands and accelerate growth.
A striking 75% anticipate the blending of internal and external teams within the next one to two years, a clear sign that agile and flexible workforce strategies are no longer optional, but an essential part of the future of work.
“This is a pivotal moment for workforce strategy,” said Brian Salkowski, Chief Experience Officer at Guidant Global & Impellam Group. “The organizations that successfully integrate flexible talent with AI expertise into their operations are not only addressing urgent skills gaps but future-proofing teams to be capable of high-impact delivery.”
The driving forces behind this shift include a growing need for specialist skills (51%), rising competition for talent (46%), and accelerating digital transformation (45%). More than half of employers surveyed (54%) identified technical skills gaps as a major challenge, especially in critical areas like cybersecurity (54%) and AI (53%).
In response, 58% of organizations said they are adapting their budget allocation processes to determine the most appropriate worker types for various roles. These strategic changes are paying off, with 75% of companies stating that using external talent has helped address skills shortages, while also bringing niche expertise that enhances team capabilities.
Claire Marsh, Chief Executive Officer at Impellam Group North America added, "Gone are the days when traditional permanent workforces alone could keep up with fast-changing market demands and evolving business needs. The rise of AI and digital transformation means businesses must rethink how they build teams.”
“Blended workforces, powered by flexible talent and agile workforce solutions, are no longer a nice-to-have. They are critical for plugging skills gaps, driving innovation and building the resilience needed to stay competitive in a rapidly shifting global landscape."
Importantly, flexible talent is not just filling gaps, they are passing on vital knowledge, helping organizations maintain agility, scalability and competitive resilience. Leaders in workforce strategy are also more likely to have formalized processes in place for skills mapping (52%), resource planning (43%) and departmental hiring (40%), setting themselves apart from lagging competitors.
In addition to boosting performance, blended workforce models have a positive impact on employee well-being. Nearly half (49%) of employers report an improved work-life balance among employees, while 35% note enhanced overall well-being.
“With workforce dynamics evolving at speed, businesses must act now,” added Simon Blockley, Chief Executive Officer at Impellam UK and Europe. “Blending flexible and permanent talent, supported by robust strategy and a forward-thinking mindset, is the key to unlocking value, driving innovation, and staying competitive in the AI era.”
The findings echo conversations that Guidant Global is having every day with organizations across its global client base. As AI adoption accelerates, businesses are experiencing a clear divide; those prepared with agile, blended workforces are harnessing AI to supercharge performance, while others risk falling behind due to skills gaps and outdated workforce models.
The message is clear; organizations that act now to build flexible, tech-ready teams will be best positioned to navigate complexity, drive innovation and stay competitive in a rapidly changing world.
For more information from the Guidant Global and Raconteur research, see here.
