The logistics and freight-forwarding sector is facing a silent crisis: critical roles are going unfilled, younger entrants are scarce, and the workforce is ageing fast. Recent research shows that 76 % of supply-chain leaders say they face significant talent shortages. At the same time the average age for key operational roles such as LGV drivers in the UK is rising into the 40s and 50s, with just around 1 % of HGV drivers under 25.
Apprenticeships could change that. They give the industry a way to train people from the ground up, teach the skills that actually matter, and make freight a career people want to join.
In this blog we look at how apprenticeships are already being used by leading freight forwarders and logistics firms to develop future-ready teams and close critical skills gaps.
Why do apprenticeships make sense for freight and logistics?
A. The age gap is widening
The logistics workforce is ageing quickly, and replacements aren’t coming through.
Freight forwarders, customs brokers, transport planners and warehouse supervisors are hardest hit.
- Experienced staff are retiring faster than they can be replaced
- Younger entrants see the sector as hard to access
- Roles demand practical knowledge few have at the start
- Competition for skilled people is driving up costs
It’s a cycle that weakens teams, slows operations and puts pressure on service quality. Apprenticeships give employers a direct way to build that missing pipeline.
B. Apprenticeships build real capability
Freight forwarding is complex work. You can’t just hire someone and expect them to understand trade routes, customs systems or digital freight tools straight away.
Apprenticeships help to fix that.
The Level 3 International Freight Forwarding Specialist programme builds skills in documentation, customs and multi-modal transport. Around 1,300 apprentices have already taken this pathway in the UK. It combines structured learning with real-world experience so trainees understand how the job actually works.
Globally, more freight and logistics firms are following the same route. The demand for trade-ready, compliance-trained people is universal. Markets from Europe to Asia are using apprenticeships and vocational routes to secure future talent.
C. The long-term business value
Apprenticeships build loyalty and consistency. People who learn the business from the ground up tend to stay longer, progress faster and strengthen team culture.
For employers, that means:
- Lower recruitment spend
- Fewer unfilled vacancies
Smoother operations - Stronger reputation as a career destination
There are still barriers. In the UK, for example, the Apprenticeship Levy hasn’t worked as planned. Logistics UK reports that 68 % of employers want to take on apprentices, but most can’t access or use the funds effectively. It shows the intent is there — systems just need to catch up.
It’s a global issue, not a UK one. Training supply lags behind industry demand almost everywhere. Apprenticeships are one of the few proven ways to close that gap.
It signals commitment to people, not short-term fixes. In an industry built on trust and reliability, that matters.
What global freight firms are doing right
Freight skills shortages aren’t unique to the UK. The same story plays out across Europe, North America and Asia. The difference is that some operators are already fixing it.
Europe
Gebrüder Weiss is a standout example. This year they welcomed over 100 new apprentices across Austria, Germany and Switzerland, training more than 300 people across 40 sites. Their focus is practical: customs, warehousing, freight forwarding and IT. BLG Logistics and DACHSER run similar schemes, covering everything from transport planning to digital operations. It’s a clear trend — the strongest firms are building talent, not waiting for it.
United States
US logistics firms face one of the world’s toughest hiring markets. Driver shortages top 60,000 and warehouse roles remain hard to fill. Companies like DHL Supply Chain and UPS are using registered apprenticeship programmes to train staff in freight operations, inventory control and fleet maintenance. It’s a way to keep talent moving through the business instead of losing it to other industries.
Asia-Pacific
In Australia, freight volumes have doubled in the last twenty years. Skills demand has grown just as fast. Logistics firms now work with TAFE and industry partners to train transport operators, warehouse supervisors and customs coordinators through vocational routes. Across Singapore and Malaysia, government-backed apprenticeships are helping meet global trade growth head-on.
What this means for the industry
- Apprenticeships build skills that match real freight work
- They help firms secure talent before the market tightens further
- They improve global consistency and compliance standards
- They prove commitment to long-term workforce planning
The message is simple. The best freight companies are already investing in people and shaping their future teams from day one.
Making freight careers remain attractive
Freight is full of opportunity. Operations, customs, digital platforms, and global trade networks all rely on skilled people. The challenge is access. Many want to join the industry but struggle to find a starting point. Apprenticeships change that by building clear, structured routes into real jobs.
A. Reframing perception
Freight has moved far beyond the old image of trucks and warehouses. The work now spans global coordination, digital systems, and live data management. Every shipment connects people, technology, and trade.
Apprenticeships show that range early. They give people the context, confidence, and experience to see how roles in logistics link to the wider world economy.
B. Diversity and opportunity
Across global logistics, the workforce remains heavily male and ageing. Apprenticeships are helping to shift that balance.
They bring in younger talent, career changers, and people without formal qualifications. They also widen access in regions where logistics training is still limited. The result is a more dynamic and diverse workforce ready for the next phase of global trade.
C. From job to career
Freight apprenticeships build careers with progression. Trainees learn the systems, customer handling, and trade regulations that define the sector. Over time, those skills lead to roles in operations, supply chain, and management.
For employers, apprenticeships create future leaders who understand the business from the ground up. For candidates, they offer stability, growth, and a career that moves with the world economy.
The ROI for freight forwarders
Across freight and logistics, apprenticeships are starting to show tangible results. Employers are using them not only to fill roles, but to build stronger teams and improve performance.
Recent research shows:
- 69% of employers report higher retention after hiring apprentices
- 65% of apprentices stay with the same employer after qualifying (Lifetime Training)
- 86% of companies say apprenticeships helped them build skills directly relevant to their business
- Firms see an average return of 1.38 times their investment during the training period
The impact is clear in freight forwarding. Apprentices are taking on roles in customs coordination, multi-modal operations, and documentation support within months of starting. That shortens training time and reduces dependency on external recruitment.
For global logistics firms, this is becoming part of the workforce strategy. Structured training creates people who understand compliance, technology, and trade processes from the ground up. It keeps expertise in-house and helps businesses scale with confidence.
How Freight Appointments fits in
Freight Appointments supports forwarders and logistics companies to design, recruit, and retain leading talent.
Our team helps identify the right roles for freight and logistics pathways, connect employers with credible training partners, and attract motivated candidates ready to grow within the business.
We work with freight firms globally to build teams equipped for the future of trade — people who understand customs, multi-modal coordination, and client operations from the ground up.
To learn more, get in touch with us today or explore our latest resources.
