Cedefop is committed to reducing its environmental impact by reducing paper consumption. Our publications are no longer available in hard‑copy format. You can access and download all our published titles online through our website.
Subscribe to receive news and updates on our work.

This new Cedefop CrowdLearn study undertakes a comparative analysis of skill development and workplace learning practices among two major types of online platform work: online freelancing and microwork.

It combines information on microworkers drawn from Amazon’s Mechanical Turk platform with the original CrowdLearn sample of online freelancers surveyed from three major online labour platforms (Fiverr, Upwork, PeoplePerHour). The research compares the types and frequency of use of workplace learning activities and self-regulated learning strategies adopted by these two main types of crowdworker.

The first of its kind internationally, this comparative study generates additional insights and policy recommendations on how to foster workplace learning and skill development in the platform economy. It highlights the potential role of microwork as a viable avenue for labour market integration, income supplementation and skill development opportunities for workers who otherwise underutilise their skills. Supporting skill development in 'voluntary' microwork could be a relevant course of policy action for the EU in dealing with the economic fallout and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Publication details

Publication number
5581
Publication year
2021
Publication month
July
Publication type
Cite as

Cedefop (2021). Skill development in the platform economy : comparing microwork and online freelancing. Luxembourg: Publications Office. Cedefop research paper, No 81. http://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2801/592284

Downloads

Skill development in the platform economy

EN 3.87 MB

CrowdLearnMW questionnaire

EN 1.71 MB

Skill development in the platform economy

EN 2.78 MB