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Skills gap is next big threat to logistics, says report

[ July 1, 2026   //   ]

Labour shortages in the logistics sector have eased, but a growing capability gap now poses a significant risk to future productivity and growth said Logistics UK in its 2026 Employment and Skills Report, published on 1 July. Employers are facing increasing difficulty securing the technical, managerial and specialist skills required across a rapidly evolving sector, it said.

It said the sector’s challenge is no longer simply recruiting people but securing the right skills in the right roles and supporting continuous development.

Logistics UK president Phil Roe said: “Our 2026 Employment and Skills Report shows that while entry routes into the sector are available across the educational spectrum, progression into higher-skilled roles could be enhanced by a more flexible approach to the provision of skills.

“The skills system plays a critical role in supporting workforce development, but it is not currently aligned with the pace of change in the sector, as training remains concentrated on traditional pathways and often does not take into account upskilling existing workers or entry from other sectors.”

The report said that with most HGV drivers (61.6%) aged 45 or over, and almost half (47.7%) of warehouse managers in the same age group, there is a current and emerging need to upskill and reskill the existing workforce, as well as to promote the sector to secure new entrants.

The report’s recommendations include an immediate improvement in skills system alignment with sector training needs. Policy frameworks must ensure that all employers can easily access and use funding in a way that fits how their business works, regardless of their size.

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