Italy logistics sector faces significant labor and skills shortage

Italy's logistics and transport sector faces a significant labor shortage and a growing skills mismatch. Projections indicate a need for 156,600 workers in transport, logistics, and warehousing services by 2029. Currently, the annual demand for professionals in logistics, transport, and vehicle repair ranges between 13,600 and 14,900, while the supply of young workers remains at approximately 6,600.

Data from the 'Italy’s Best Employers 2027' ranking suggests that while the sector is economically indispensable, it struggles with employer desirability. Companies like Ignazio Messina rank highly in the sector, but many logistics firms are less prominent in desirability rankings compared to automotive or manufacturing companies like Michelin or Bridgestone.

The evolving nature of the industry requires new competencies, with 75% of sought-after warehouse managers needing digital skills and 74% of planned entries involving green jobs. To address these needs, the University of Trieste has introduced a Higher Education Course in Logistics Management to better align academic training with the demands of digitalization, sustainability, and data management.