Entrepreneurs in professional freight transport and logistics service providers are struggling with staff shortages. The number of vacancies is high and pension outflow has further increased. With the economy growing, entrepreneurs expect to need even more workers.
The most recent Autumn 2021 Sector Monitor reveals that 52 per cent of entrepreneurs in professional freight transport and 34 per cent of logistics service providers are facing staff shortages. The Sector Monitor, conducted by the Transport and Logistics Sector Institute (STL), monitors quarterly labour market developments of employees and employers affiliated to SOOB/Pension Fund Transport.
In the third quarter 2021, there was a 12.5 per cent growth in turnover in professional freight transport and 24 per cent in logistics services. Compared to the previous year, the industries suffered from contact restrictions and turnover fell, STL says. However, some submarkets or types of transport were less affected by the corona crisis than others. As of the second quarter, turnover was above the level before the corona measures.
The number of vacancies for truck drivers and other transport and logistics workers remains high. There were around 10,400 vacancies for drivers and 15,300 for logistics workers in October and November. The labour market for drivers was very tight in all regions in the third quarter.
The proportion of professional hauliers experiencing an obstacle (at the beginning of Q4) due to staff shortages increased further compared to previous quarters (52 per cent at the beginning of Q4 compared to 46 per cent at the beginning of Q3). In road haulage, the share experiencing staff shortages was not this high before, the STL concludes.
