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Is logistics a new alternative to further education for school leavers?
Created: 03/09/2025
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Updated: 03/09/2025
For years, the conventional wisdom has been that school leavers should continue into further education. Whether that meant college, university or vocational training, the message was the same: study first, then work. But that narrative is beginning to shift. Faced with rising tuition fees, increasing debt and uncertainty about the value of a degree, many young people are re-evaluating their choices.
At the same time, the logistics industry is crying out for new talent. It offers immediate earnings, structured development and long-term career prospects – all without the cost of higher education. The question is no longer whether logistics could be a stopgap option for school leavers but whether it represents a genuine alternative to university.
A sector in need of talent
The need for fresh entrants to logistics is pressing. The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has warned that the UK must recruit 200,000 new lorry drivers in the next five years – the equivalent of 40,000 drivers annually – to keep supply chains moving and prevent a repeat of the shortages experienced in 2021.
Zooming out to the European level, the challenge is even starker. In 2023, Europe faced a shortfall of more than 233,000 professional drivers – a figure forecast to climb to 745,000 by 2028 if left unaddressed. The average driver is 47 years old, with nearly 30% aged over 55, underscoring an approaching retirement wave. Yet only 5% of drivers are under 25. Without younger entrants, the industry risks grinding to a halt.
This is not simply about filling cabs. It’s about safeguarding the smooth functioning of economies. The shortage of drivers has ripple effects that touch everything from supermarket shelves to construction projects.
In the words of RHA Skills Policy Lead Sally Gilson: “If we’re to future-proof the industry for the long term, we need to recruit, train and retain tens of thousands of drivers annually to meet demand. With an ageing workforce, we also need to attract more young people into the industry. To get there, we must prioritise flexible, funded training options.”
Meanwhile, Eurostat data shows that in June 2025, youth unemployment across the EU was 14.7%, with 2.857 million young people out of work, which has remained steady month-on-month. These figures reveal a significant opportunity gap for school leavers. At a time when many face bleak prospects, logistics presents a path of clarity, training, and financial independence.
Changing perceptions
The perception of logistics as a last-resort job is giving way to recognition of its tangible benefits. A recent Motor Transport feature highlights factors such as job security, reliable pay, flexible working patterns and the chance to travel. For many, it is precisely this combination of benefits that makes logistics stand out. In addition, apprenticeships and graduate-style schemes allow young recruits to build qualifications while gaining hands-on experience.
As Matthew Bellamy, Managing Director at SNAP comments: “For school leavers, logistics isn’t just an alternative. It’s a fast track to a skilled, future-ready career. You begin building experience and independence straightaway, without the costs or delays of university.”
While driving is the most visible role, logistics encompasses far more. School leavers can move into warehousing, planning, technology, or customer service, before progressing into leadership. The digitalisation of logistics has also created demand for new skills – data analysis, route optimisation, and sustainability management – that appeal to a generation of digital natives.
SNAP, for example, works with fleets across Europe to provide digital tools that support drivers’ wellbeing, help them find safe parking, and streamline daily operations. These investments are not just about efficiency – they are about making logistics a credible and attractive career path.
“The industry needs fresh faces with digital skills, resilience and a modern outlook,” Bellamy continues. “School leavers bring exactly that – and attracting more women will help us adapt even faster.”
Closing the gender gap
Diversity is one of the greatest untapped opportunities in logistics. According to the World Bank, women account for just 23% of employees in transport and storage across Europe and Central Asia. The European data is even more concerning when it comes to drivers specifically: only 4% are women.
Encouraging more young women into logistics careers – whether as drivers, planners, or managers – is essential. It not only broadens the talent pool but also changes the culture of the industry, making it more representative and resilient. Highlighting female role models, creating inclusive training environments, and improving welfare facilities are practical steps that can make logistics more appealing to all.
Too often, it is portrayed as a male-dominated and physically demanding industry. And while those stereotypes may once have held some truth, they are increasingly outdated. Today’s logistics sector relies as much on technology and teamwork as it does on physical labour.
The role of employers and industry
For logistics to compete with further education, the industry must deliver on three fronts:
● Training pathways – offering apprenticeships, certifications and mentorship to give recruits a sense of progression.
● Welfare and facilities – ensuring that drivers, particularly younger and more diverse entrants, have access to safe parking, clean rest stops and supportive environments.
● Career storytelling – showcasing the variety of roles and long-term potential within the sector.
For operators, the business case is clear. More than half of European trucking firms already report that they cannot expand because of driver shortages. Nearly half cite falling productivity, and 39% say revenues are declining. Without change, shortages will not just limit growth – they will erode the bottom line.
Logistics as a first choice
The debate over further education versus work will never be one-size-fits-all. Some young people will continue to thrive in universities and colleges. But logistics is a viable, forward-looking option.
For school leavers, it means immediate pay, independence and scope for progression. For the industry, it means tapping into a pool of talent that is urgently needed. For society, it means strengthening the resilience of an essential sector.
The challenge now lies with the industry to match its demand with vision: to provide training, welfare, and opportunities that rival those offered by further education. If it succeeds, logistics will not just be an alternative to university – it will be an advantage.