The logistics sector in Poland is growing in strength, driven by the dynamic development of e-commerce and the country’s favorable geographic location. In 2023, the transport and storage sector amounted to about 6% of the Polish GDP, employing nearly 700,000 people. Although future prospects remain optimistic, logistics companies need to face significant recruitment challenges, especially during periods of increased demand, such as the last quarter of the year.
Seasonal changes in employment scale
The fourth quarter, which includes Black Friday and the holiday season, generates a significant increase in the demand for workers in the logistics industry. At this time, the demand for temporary workers even increases by 20-25%, which requires early preparation and planning for employment by companies.
“The logistics sector in Poland is developing at a rapid pace, driven not only by e-commerce but also thanks to the improvement of infrastructure and the favorable geographical location of the country. We need to be ready for an increase in demand for workers, especially towards the end of the year,” says Anna Wesołowska, Managing Director of Gi Group Poland S.A.
Effective employment planning is therefore crucial for the long-term competitiveness of logistics companies. This process should involve not only analyzing current resources, but also forecasting future staffing needs and developing employee competences, which becomes particularly important during periods of increased demand.
Staff shortages and skills development
Logistics companies have been struggling with a shortage of workers for some time, which affects their ability to maintain operational efficiency.
“One of the main challenges remains attracting workers, both unskilled and specialists. The labor shortages result from several factors, including low unemployment, an aging society and a decreasing number of working-age people, as well as growing skills requirements due to technological changes,” indicates Anna Wesołowska, Managing Director of Gi Group Poland.
Competition for employees further complicates recruitment, especially in regions with a high concentration of warehouses and logistics centers. As supply chains grow in complexity and warehouse technology evolves, companies are increasingly looking for specialists with experience in managing modern tools such as warehouse process automation, artificial intelligence, and IoT systems.
“Investing in the development of employee competences is necessary for them to operate effectively in a modern logistics environment. Companies need to be ready to quickly adapt to changes,” believes Ewa Michalska, Operations Director of Grafton Recruitment.
The labor market is seeing increasing competition for qualified employees. Global companies are offering increasingly attractive salaries and comprehensive benefits packages to attract and retain talent. Flexible forms of employment and innovative approaches to staff management are becoming increasingly popular.
One of the most important trends in the face of staff shortages is the growing employment of foreigners. In some warehouses, up to 90% of employees are citizens of Ukraine. However, due to the decreasing number of workers from this country, companies are starting to recruit people from more distant regions, such as Kazakhstan, Nepal, and even South America.
Recruitment challenges and the future of the logistics sector
In the 2024 “Wages in Production and Logistics: Lower- and Middle-Level Positions“ report, Gi Group experts have identified several key challenges associated with recruitment in the logistics sector. The first one is the shortage of qualified candidates, especially those with experience in modern warehouse technologies. Companies struggle with the competition for personnel and wage competitiveness. Finally, there is a high turnover of staff, requiring HR strategies to manage employment variability.
Meanwhile, according to a salary and trends report prepared by Grafton Recruitment, although 42.5% of logistics department employees declare job satisfaction, as many as 75% consider changing their employer in the next few months. The key motives for these decisions are low wages and a lack of career development prospects, despite growing expectations regarding employment conditions.
“To maintain a competitive advantage, logistics companies need to focus on innovation and flexibility, not only in terms of wages, but also benefits and team management methods. The future of the logistics sector in Poland looks promising, but it requires investment in both technology and the development of employee competences,” concludes Ewa Michalska, Operations Director of Grafton Recruitment.
Source: https://managerplus.pl/sektor-logistyki-w-polsce-wzrost-zapotrzebowania-na-pracownikow-w-ostatnim-kwartale-roku-87025
