Today’s IT service landscape is more competitive than ever. As top channel partners scramble to set themselves apart, they’re offering new and expanded services. This can mean building an on-demand workforce of independent contractors with expertise in everything from infrastructure to communications. The biggest obstacle, however, is finding and retaining qualified technicians.

Many VARs rely on staffing firms to access contractors. Manually deploying contractors and vetting new techs is time-consuming. But as OEMs and large companies like SAP, Oracle, and Cisco consolidate their relationships with vendors, partners need to diversify their tech workforce to stay competitive.

Here are three strategies for finding certified IT professionals:

1. Use on-demand marketplaces to find qualified technicians

Certified IT contractors are out there—you just have to find them. This means looking beyond traditional recruiting and engaging local communities, including universities and associations, to attract qualified professionals.

You can also take advantage of freelance marketplaces. The on-demand economy has been rising astronomically, and the time is perfect for partners fighting staffing shortages and shrinking margins. Technology has made it easier than ever to tap into Cloud-based marketplaces—with just an Internet connection, you can quickly and automatically find and engage top contractors anywhere to scale with your needs.

2. Develop your current staff

Besides going to an on-demand marketplace, you can also try to develop the staff that you do have. This way, you can tailor your employee’s growth to fill skill gaps, both in your core services and the ones you offer to your clients.

In turn, employees become invested in both theirs and the company’s future. You can hold on to your in-house staff and build a stable bench of trusted contractors to help you bid on regional or national contracts.

3. Invest in your company culture

Work culture can be a powerful recruiting tool to attract not only qualified W2 professionals, but also for talented contractors. By arming your technicians with mobile capabilities and ensuring timely payments, you can make sure your techs have what they need to keep your clients happy and win bids.

If you keep contractors happy, you can turn them into walking referrals and recruiters for your business, so you can continue to grow your pool with techs you trust.

By using any combination of these strategies along with an FMS, you can build a stable of trusted contractors. You can quickly deploy local technicians to client sites and slash the lengthy process of finding certified technicians. Learn more about efficiently expanding your reach and capabilities for all current and future work streams at www.workmarket.com.