AI Reshapes Logistics but Workers Report Limited Training Access

More than half of logistics roles worldwide (60%) are expected to change through AI and automation, but only 28% of workers report access to training and upskilling opportunities, according to a study by Randstad. The company said the gap highlights a growing mismatch between digital transformation and workforce readiness throughout the logistics sector.

Randstad reports that upskilling efforts have not kept pace with the adoption of new systems, leaving employees unsure of their preparedness for increasingly digitalized operations. The findings come amid growing labor demand. Global permanent job postings increased 16% year-on-year, rising from 396,000 in June to 461,000 in September. In the United States, postings for temporary warehouse logistics workers grew more than 150% over the past two years.

Despite this increase, hiring challenges persist. Randstad reports that 76% of logistics organizations face talent shortages that extend beyond seasonal peaks, driven in part by the shift toward automation and the technical skills required to operate new tools and platforms. Nearly a third (30%) of workers surveyed said they would leave their current role due to limited advancement opportunities, underscoring the need for clear career pathways and structured training.

These pressures reflect broader workforce trends. Salesforce’s Global AI Readiness Index shows that Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina remain below global benchmarks in their ability to adopt and scale AI systems. Mexico scored 15.3 out of 100, well below the global average of 22.1, due to limited innovation capacity, low investment, and persistent talent shortages. Workforce readiness indicators also remain below international standards, with insufficient applied AI training and constrained reskilling pipelines.

The skills gap is not limited to AI fields. The OECD’s Latin American Economic Outlook 2025 reported that companies in Latin America and the Caribbean are the most affected globally by shortages of skilled workers. Advanced manufacturing is particularly impacted, with a 160% higher probability of performance difficulties in the automotive sector compared to other industries. In Mexico, 15.7% of the employed population — about 9.5 million people — works in manufacturing, yet four out of five advanced manufacturing companies struggle to find qualified talent.

Upskilling and cross-skilling efforts are expanding in response. Online learning platforms report significant enrollment growth in Mexico. Coursera recorded a 356% year-over-year increase in generative AI course enrollments in 2025, while Platzi and UBITS continue promoting training in AI, cybersecurity, programming and soft skills. These programs aim to align workers’ capabilities with industry needs amid rapid technological change.

Companies are also diversifying recruitment strategies. Kelly Services has adopted a blended “build, buy, and borrow” approach to combine internal development, external hiring, and contingent labor. Cross-industry mobility is increasingly used to fill roles that require adaptability rather than sector-specific experience.

Randstad’s Workmonitor 2025 data shows that pay and schedule flexibility remain key priorities for logistics workers. Fewer than half (46%) said they are paid fairly, and 49% have left previous roles due to inadequate wages. While many workers enter logistics because of job availability, expectations increasingly include opportunities for progression and access to relevant training.

As automation reshapes warehousing, transportation, and inventory management, Randstad expects the skills mismatch to widen unless companies expand upskilling, improve career pathways, and reassess compensation strategies. The firm says that the future of logistics will depend not only on adopting new technologies, but also on sustained investment in the workforce needed to operate them.