In August 2025, Italy’s transport, logistics and warehousing sector appears dynamic but continues to face significant challenges. According to figures from the Excelsior Bulletin by Unioncamere and the Ministry of Labour, released at the start of the month, demand for labour is steady, yet companies struggle to find qualified staff and increasingly turn to foreign labour. Indeed, 25.6 per cent of projected hires will be filled by migrant workers, one of the highest proportions in the tertiary sector. This presence is especially notable in operational roles such as drivers and freight handlers, where the shortage of Italian candidates is most evident.
In August alone, the sector expects more than 34,000 planned hires, rising to over 159,000 in the August to October period, confirming its structural weight in the national labour demand. Among the most sought-after profiles are administrative logistics managers, with 2,450 planned hires and a recruitment difficulty rate of 31.8 per cent, a figure that rises to 11,370 over the quarter. Far more acute is the shortage of industrial vehicle drivers, required in 12,360 cases with a difficulty rate of 58.9 per cent, and operators of earth-moving, lifting and materials-handling machinery, with 3,310 hires and a difficulty rate of 43.8 per cent. There is also a strong need for less qualified staff, such as goods movers and delivery workers, amounting to 16,300 positions in August with a difficulty rate of 26.6 per cent, rising to 72,970 over the quarter.
Fixed-term contracts remain the most common form of employment, accounting for 67 per cent of hires, followed by permanent positions at 12.7 per cent and agency work at 9.1 per cent, reflecting the need for flexibility to cope with seasonal peaks and fluctuating demand. The main reason for hiring difficulties is the lack of candidates, which particularly affects specialised professions but also impacts less qualified roles. Overall, the August to October quarter confirms the sector’s resilience but also highlights the need for investment in training and attraction policies to bridge the gap between supply and demand and safeguard the efficiency and competitiveness of the Italian logistics chain.
