Logistics and transport continue to play a key role in the Italian economy, experiencing significant growth in planned recruitment in the coming months. In March 2025 alone, according to the Excelsior bulletin issued by Unioncamere, 49,840 new hires are anticipated specifically within the "Transport, logistics and warehousing services" segment, reaching a total of 139,040 over the three-month period from March to May. These figures are substantial, representing approximately 11% of all new job openings expected during March. The data illustrates the broad and diverse nature of the sector, encompassing operational roles such as drivers, warehouse operators and goods handlers, as well as office staff, specialised technicians and administrative personnel employed in companies classified under relevant Ateco codes.
Despite steady growth, the sector is struggling with an ongoing shortage of qualified candidates. Businesses cite a scarcity of applicants with direct experience, a lack of necessary driving licences or professional certifications, and insufficient technical training, particularly in digital skills and proficiency with advanced technologies required for automated warehouse management systems.
Expanding the analysis to include logistics functions in manufacturing and service industries outside the core transport sector, the numbers become even more significant. In March 2025, 57,090 new hires are expected, of which 40,780 relate solely to transport and distribution roles, where recruitment difficulties approach 50%. Slightly lower (39.4%) is the difficulty in filling the 16,310 vacancies identified within the "procurement and internal goods handling" area.
Among the most sought-after positions are vehicle drivers, with 22,560 job openings in March alone and a recruitment difficulty rate nearing 60%. Companies particularly emphasise the shortage of candidates holding the appropriate licences or with proven professional experience. There is also high demand for goods handlers and warehouse staff, who may be categorised as either skilled or unskilled, depending on specific tasks. Administrative and management roles, including approximately 3,500 positions in logistics management, also experience significant recruitment challenges (around 30%), mainly due to a lack of specialised training and digital skills.
Contract types offered by companies in this sector reflect national trends in the broader services industry, with permanent and fixed-term contracts accounting for between 70% and 75% of the total. Additionally, there is a notable share of temporary agency contracts and apprenticeships, underscoring a growing need for workplace-based training. Lastly, the significant contribution of foreign workers must be acknowledged, particularly in operational roles such as drivers, couriers, and goods handlers, often employed to offset the shortage of qualified or available Italian candidates.
