Shortage of skilled workers in logistics

In many sectors, companies are experiencing great difficulties in finding qualified workers. As a result, positions remain vacant and workforces are increasingly working at their limit. The shortage of skilled workers is also an enormous challenge in the logistics industry.

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Employer demand is high on the Swiss labor market. Companies currently have vacancies in almost all sectors. But dealing with this is not always easy: the high demand for skilled workers can hardly be met. It becomes particularly difficult when applicants have to demonstrate specialized qualifications, as there is a shortage of well-trained young talent.

The problem of the shortage of skilled workers has not only existed since yesterday. As a result of the overall economic losses caused by coronavirus, the situation initially seemed to ease slightly. But by the middle of last year, with the consequences of the pandemic still very much in evidence, the need for employees in the industry had already risen sharply again.

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Demand grows with recovery

In the meantime, the economic situation has largely normalized. The tensions have eased, we are seeing growth again and forecasts and prospects are becoming more optimistic. The current energy price crisis is likely to have had less of an impact on the Swiss economy than the pandemic. However, as we return to the situation before the coronavirus crisis, old problems are also resurfacing. The upturn is increasing the willingness to hire - but the supply of skilled workers in warehouse logistics remains far below demand, as in many other sectors. This not only applies to logistics in Switzerland. According to a recent Dekra study, well-qualified employees are also desperately sought after by Germany's neighbors.

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Drivers most urgently needed

In addition to warehouse specialists, trained vehicle drivers are also in demand. The profession is experiencing serious recruitment problems. Fewer people tend to opt for training than retire or change careers.

Even with more lucrative offers, it has not yet been possible to compensate for the bottleneck in the long term. Apart from that, wage increases are not always affordable, especially for small and medium-sized companies. Some see autonomous transport vehicles as a solution to this problem. However, the technology is not yet ready for widespread use and is probably only a partial solution.

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There are many possible causes

Even if the right answer to the shortage of skilled workers has not yet been found, it is at least possible to identify various reasons for the problem. One decisive factor is certainly the image of warehouse and transportation activities among employees. Although logistics is flourishing, other job profiles are on average more popular, especially among young and tech-savvy people. This is also due to preconceptions about the industry. For example, the IT sector tends to find it easier to attract skilled workers, even though logistics itself has many IT-related jobs to offer.

The professional diversity of the industry is often not even known. The "logistics technician EFZ" apprenticeship alone has three different specializations and thus offers the opportunity to specialize in a specific field. There are also numerous other activities in the commercial and technical fields. There are also job opportunities for academics. In addition to traditional logistics specialists, engineers and graduates in business, IT or law are also in demand.

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A changing industry - variety and innovation in all areas

The traditional parts of transportation, warehousing and distribution have changed significantly in recent years. Supply chain management, digitalization and automation have made interrelationships more complex, but also exciting, dynamic and varied. Anyone looking for challenges is in good hands here. The logistics sector is booming and offers a wide range of opportunities for employees. With good educational work, the dwindling workforce due to demographic change could be inspired by the diverse, exciting job profiles in logistics.