What It Means for Jobseekers in Industrial & Driving Roles

The UK logistics, transport, and industrial job market remains one of the most resilient and opportunity-rich sectors in 2025 — and all signs suggest this momentum will continue into 2026.

Since spring 2021, the number of jobs advertised across transport, logistics, and warehousing has surged. Industry data shows there were twice as many vacancies in January 2022 compared to January 2021, highlighting long-term structural demand rather than a short-term spike.

That demand has remained strong. According to the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC), the first half of 2025 saw a significant rise in new transport and logistics job postings, driven by supply chain investment, e-commerce growth, and infrastructure development.
(REC Labour Market Tracker).

Skills Shortages & Workforce Demographics

Despite rising employment levels, the industry continues to face ongoing skills shortages. Labour Force Survey data from late 2024 indicate that while HGV driver employment has increased, nearly 50% of drivers are aged 50 or older, creating long-term recruitment challenges.

The Road Haulage Association estimates that 40,000 new HGV drivers are needed every year to support the UK logistics sector, with younger drivers currently at a five-year low.

Encouragingly, diversity is improving. While women currently make up just 2% of HGV drivers, this rises to 4.5% among under-30s, showing positive change for the future workforce.

Looking Ahead to 2026

As we move into 2026, jobseekers can expect continued demand, competitive pay, and increased focus on well-being, training, and career progression. Recruitment agencies like Kenect Recruitment are central to this evolution, supporting candidates into HGV driving jobs, warehouse roles, and industrial positions while helping employers build sustainable teams.

At Kenect, we combine local market expertise with candidate-first support, ensuring that workers are matched with reliable opportunities that align with their skills and goals.

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Looking for your next role in logistics or transport? The opportunities are available now and will continue into 2026.