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Notícias e actualizações • 4 min ler

Será a logística uma nova alternativa ao ensino superior para os jovens que abandonam a escola?

Criado: 03/09/2025

Atualizado: 03/09/2025

Durante anos, a sabedoria convencional foi a de que os alunos que abandonavam a escola deviam continuar a estudar. Quer se tratasse de uma faculdade, universidade ou formação profissional, a mensagem era a mesma: primeiro estudar, depois trabalhar. Mas esta narrativa está a começar a mudar. Confrontados com o aumento das propinas, o aumento da dívida e a incerteza quanto ao valor de um diploma, muitos jovens estão a reavaliar as suas escolhas.

Ao mesmo tempo, o sector da logística está à espera de novos talentos. Oferece rendimentos imediatos, desenvolvimento estruturado e perspectivas de carreira a longo prazo - tudo isto sem os custos do ensino superior. A questão que se coloca já não é a de saber se a logística pode ser uma opção provisória para os jovens que abandonam a escola, mas se representa uma verdadeira alternativa à universidade.

Um sector que precisa de talento

A necessidade de novos operadores no sector da logística é premente. A Road Haulage Association (RHA) alertou para o facto de o Reino Unido ter de recrutar 200 000 novos condutores de camiões nos próximos cinco anos - o equivalente a 40 000 condutores por ano - para manter as cadeias de abastecimento em movimento e evitar que se repita a escassez registada em 2021.

Se olharmos para o nível europeu, o desafio é ainda maior. Em 2023, a Europa enfrentava um [défice de mais de 233 000 condutores profissionais] (https://talkinglogistics.com/2025/07/01/europes-truck-driver-shortage-whats-driving-it-and-how-logistics-leaders-are-responding/) - um número que, se não for resolvido, deverá aumentar para 745 000 em 2028. O condutor médio tem 47 anos, com cerca de 30% com mais de 55 anos, o que revela uma vaga de reforma que se aproxima. No entanto, apenas 5% dos condutores têm menos de 25 anos. Sem a entrada de jovens, o sector corre o risco de parar.

Não se trata apenas de encher táxis. Trata-se de salvaguardar o bom funcionamento das economias. A falta de motoristas tem efeitos em cadeia que afectam tudo, desde as prateleiras dos supermercados aos projectos de construção.

Nas [palavras de Sally Gilson, líder da política de competências da RHA] (https://trans.info/en/rha-driver-shortage-404538): "Se quisermos preparar o sector para o futuro a longo prazo, temos de recrutar, formar e manter dezenas de milhares de condutores anualmente para satisfazer a procura. Com uma mão de obra envelhecida, precisamos também de atrair mais jovens para o sector. Para o conseguirmos, temos de dar prioridade a opções de formação flexíveis e financiadas."

Entretanto, os dados do Eurostat mostram que, em junho de 2025, o desemprego juvenil na UE era de 14,7%, com 2,857 milhões de jovens sem trabalho, o que se manteve estável mês após mês. Estes números revelam um significativo défice de oportunidades para os jovens que abandonam a escola. Numa altura em que muitos enfrentam perspectivas sombrias, a logística apresenta um caminho de clareza, formação e independência financeira.

Mudança de percepções

A perceção da logística como um trabalho de último recurso está a dar lugar ao reconhecimento dos seus benefícios tangíveis. Um artigo recente Motor Transport feature destaca factores como a segurança do emprego, a fiabilidade da remuneração, a flexibilidade dos horários de trabalho e a possibilidade de viajar. Para muitos, é precisamente esta combinação de vantagens que distingue a logística. Além disso, os estágios e os programas para licenciados permitem que os jovens recrutas adquiram qualificações ao mesmo tempo que ganham experiência prática.

Como comenta Matthew Bellamy, Diretor-Geral da SNAP: "Para os jovens que abandonam a escola, a logística não é apenas uma alternativa. É uma via rápida para uma carreira qualificada e preparada para o futuro. Começa-se a ganhar experiência e independência de imediato, sem os custos ou atrasos da universidade."

Embora a condução seja a função mais visível, a logística engloba muito mais. Os alunos que abandonam a escola podem passar para o armazenamento, planeamento, tecnologia ou serviço ao cliente, antes de progredirem para a liderança. A digitalização da logística também criou a procura de novas competências - análise de dados, otimização de rotas e gestão da sustentabilidade - que apelam a uma geração de nativos digitais.

A SNAP, por exemplo, trabalha com frotas em toda a Europa para fornecer ferramentas digitais que apoiam o bem-estar dos condutores, ajudam-nos a encontrar estacionamento seguro e simplificam as operações diárias. Estes investimentos não têm apenas a ver com eficiência - têm a ver com tornar a logística uma carreira credível e atractiva.

"A indústria precisa de caras novas com competências digitais, resiliência e uma perspetiva moderna", continua Bellamy. "Os jovens que abandonam a escola trazem exatamente isso - e atrair mais mulheres ajudar-nos-á a adaptarmo-nos ainda mais rapidamente."

Eliminar a diferença de género

A diversidade é uma das maiores oportunidades inexploradas na logística. De acordo com [o Banco Mundial] (https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/europeandcentralasia/more-women-are-needed-in-transport-jobs-in-europe-and-central-as), as mulheres representam apenas 23% dos empregados no sector dos transportes e armazenamento na Europa e na Ásia Central. Os dados europeus são ainda mais preocupantes no que respeita especificamente aos motoristas: [apenas 4% são mulheres] (https://talkinglogistics.com/2025/07/01/europes-truck-driver-shortage-whats-driving-it-and-how-logistics-leaders-are-responding/).

É essencial encorajar mais mulheres jovens a enveredar por carreiras na área da logística - seja como motoristas, planeadoras ou gestoras. Não só alarga a reserva de talentos, como também muda a cultura da indústria, tornando-a mais representativa e resistente. Dar destaque a modelos femininos, criar ambientes de formação inclusivos e melhorar as instalações de bem-estar são medidas práticas que podem tornar a logística mais atractiva para todos.

Demasiadas vezes, é retratada como uma indústria dominada por homens e fisicamente exigente. E embora esses estereótipos possam ter tido alguma verdade, estão cada vez mais desactualizados. O sector da logística atual depende tanto da tecnologia e do trabalho de equipa como do trabalho físico.

O papel dos empregadores e da indústria

Para que a logística possa competir com o ensino superior, a indústria deve atuar em três frentes:

Percursos de formação - oferecer estágios, certificações e orientação para dar aos recrutas um sentido de progressão.

Bem-estar e instalações - garantir que os condutores, em especial os mais jovens e os mais diversificados, tenham acesso a estacionamento seguro, paragens de descanso limpas e ambientes de apoio.

Contar histórias sobre carreiras - mostrar a variedade de funções e o potencial a longo prazo no sector.

Para os operadores, os argumentos económicos são claros. [Mais de metade das empresas europeias de transporte rodoviário de mercadorias] (https://talkinglogistics.com/2025/07/01/europes-truck-driver-shortage-whats-driving-it-and-how-logistics-leaders-are-responding/) já afirmam que não podem expandir-se devido à escassez de condutores. Quase metade refere a queda da produtividade e 39% afirmam que as receitas estão a diminuir. Se não houver mudanças, a escassez não limitará apenas o crescimento, mas afectará os resultados.

A logística como primeira escolha

O debate sobre o ensino superior versus trabalho nunca será único. Alguns jovens continuarão a desenvolver-se nas universidades e nos institutos superiores. Mas a logística é uma opção viável e virada para o futuro.

Para os jovens que abandonam a escola, significa um salário imediato, independência e possibilidades de progressão. Para o sector, significa aproveitar uma reserva de talentos que é urgentemente necessária. Para a sociedade, significa reforçar a capacidade de resistência de um sector essencial.

O desafio consiste agora em fazer corresponder a procura à visão do sector: proporcionar formação, bem-estar e oportunidades que rivalizem com as oferecidas pelo ensino superior. Se for bem sucedido, a logística não será apenas uma alternativa à universidade - será uma vantagem.

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