The Logistics and Transport Sector generates 6,9% of the Spanish GDP with a business volume of more than 100.000 million euros

The great engine that turns the economy

In addition to Spain's privileged position in Southern Europe, where the main freight traffic routes converge, is the enlargement of the European Union (EU) towards the East, which favors this strategic position with respect to trade flows and centers of redistribution of foreign trade of the EU and the rest of the world.

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El Logistics and Transportation Sector It generates 6,9% of Spain's GDP with a turnover of over €100.000 billion. This percentage rises to 10% if logistics activities carried out by industrial, commercial, and service companies are included.

A sector that acts as an engine of the economy and demands highly trained professionals with a strong technological, environmental, and financial component, according to the consulting firm Catenon, a leader in the selection of qualified professionals.Spain has a powerful network of air, land, rail and sea infrastructure. and stands out for the quality of its services. Two factors that favor the development and growth of the sector and the overall economic activity of the country. But it is also experiencing one of the biggest changes in the area of digitization and online commerce“Especially the last mile, both at the end consumer level and for our companies, large corporations and SMEs,” he points out. Nuria GarridoGarrido, Head of Logistics and Transport at Catenon, adds, “Also noteworthy is the high concentration of businesses, with around 218.000 companies linked to the sector.”

Sustainability and automation

The Logistics and Transportation industry grew by 4,5% last year, with increased business volume across all its subsectors, according to EPA data. This growth is driven by the sector's evolution towards increasingly efficient and sustainable services, thanks to its capacity for diversification and customization.

According to Catenon, new Transport and Logistics companies, as well as traditional ones, must become aware of their capacity to act on the environment, to positively influence society with measures that contribute to its development, with management that respects regulations, human rights and, of course, the rights of the people who work in them.

The automation of the supply chain, digitalization, sustainability and the incorporation of technology These factors have positively influenced this growth trend, which is expected to continue in 2023 and beyond. “It is anticipated,” notes Nuria Garrido, “that by 2030 the increased automation of processes will reduce costs by almost half and improve CO2 emissions, bringing them above the targets of the European Green Deal Created in 2019, this plan aims to achieve at least 32% renewable energy by 2030 and a drastic reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. This requires technology. Neither consumers nor businesses can now accept contracts that fail to meet these objectives. UE"And this is an unstoppable race."

Among the sustainability goals, the current plans are developed under eight challenges: climate neutrality by 2050; reducing vulnerability to climate change; making progress in reducing environmental degradation and accelerating the circular economy; zero pollution; protecting biodiversity; drastically reducing pressure on the climate; and controlling "last mile" delivery plans.

 

Logistics and Transportation companies maintain a growing demand for professionals with skills not traditionally associated with the sector, such as technology, data analytics, sustainability, and engineering.

Talent mismatch

To address this evolutionary process and achieve these objectives, Logistics and Transportation companies are experiencing a growing demand for professionals with skills not traditionally associated with the sector, such as technology, data analytics, sustainability, and engineering. These are complemented by a set of soft skills, prioritizing reliability, responsibility, and commitment, as well as self-discipline, adaptability, and proactivity. “There is a shortage of professionals,” Garrido points out, “to meet the challenges the sector faces. A key factor is that the search is no longer limited to the sector itself; companies are now seeking candidates within key companies where professionals have already developed transformative strategic plans.”

Therefore, the talent mismatch is one of the main challenges facing the supply chain, in a context of high competition for job profiles, which is compounded by a lack of digital culture, training and development, requiring expert recruitment companies in the sector, with strong relationships with specialized talent.

Spain's privileged position in the South of Europewhere the main freight traffic routes converge, the expansion of the European Union (EU) EastwardThis favors this strategic position with respect to trade flows and redistribution centers of foreign trade between the EU and the rest of the world.

Since the start of the pandemic, job losses have continued to rise, and most of the jobs being created are concentrated in sectors such as Healthcare or Logisticswhich have become an oasis of employment, generating important opportunities at the business and hiring level.

According to various studies, employment in logistics has increased more than in most other economic sectors, becoming a driving force for job creation. “We believe a highly competitive environment is emerging. A fierce battle in which the companies that will survive are those that best adapt to new technologies, have the greatest capacity to diversify and differentiate their services, and have the most highly trained professional staff to capitalize on technological changes,” says Garrido.

The sector demands managers with a comprehensive vision of the business, possessing the specific type of talent needed for continued growth. One of the biggest challenges will be retaining the most valuable and essential people. “There is a paradigm shift,” says the head of Logistics and Transportation at Catenon And now it's the companies themselves that value having qualified employees above all else. This trend is leading to employer branding, that is, building a strong and attractive employer brand that attracts and retains qualified professionals. Candidates are becoming increasingly selective when choosing the companies and positions they apply for, actively researching the reputation of the companies.”

Emotional intelligence, resilience, leadership skills, empathy… these are key factors in any selection process. A resume full of courses and experience is no longer enough. Increasingly, the human element of candidates, known as soft skills, is being valued. Employers are looking for candidates with transferable skills and the ability to learn and adapt quickly to new situations. Furthermore, flexibility and the ability to work in multidisciplinary teams are becoming ever more important.