There has been a "huge rise" in outsourcing to contractors with digital skills, a report has indicated.

Research by PeoplePerHour.com found that while the coalition's job cuts have caused unemployment to soar, the public sector has used contractors to combat the shortage of manpower.

The company reports that during the past year, there has been a 315 per cent increase in postings for those with digital skills such as web design, database development and search engine optimisation.

Website founder Xenios Thrasyvoulou said: "When the recession hit, the private sector was quick to respond to the new economic reality by shedding permanent staff and engaging freelancers instead.

"Thousands of UK businesses quickly realised this was the best way to stay lean and remain solvent in the face of testing economic conditions."

Contractors who want to give themselves an advantage in a difficult job market could consider enhanced entrepreneurship, experts have indicated.

Advisory service Entrepreneurs in Action has said that people must be entrepreneurially-minded if they are to make the most of their talents.