Educating the Road Ahead: Preparing Tomorrow's Logistics Leaders
How Descartes and Next Gen Trucking Are Shaping the Future Workforce
The transportation industry is facing a critical labor shortage. With an aging workforce and growing demand for skilled professionals across supply chain roles, the need to attract, educate, and retain the next generation of logistics leaders has never been greater. Join Descartes and Next Gen Trucking to learn how industry collaboration is fueling the future of transportation and how your organization can play a role.
Today’s younger workforce is entering the job market with a new set of expectations. For Gen Z and digital-native millennials, technology is not an add-on, it is a baseline requirement. They expect mobile tools, real-time visibility, and connected systems to be part of their daily work experience. Just as important, they look for careers that align with their values, especially in areas like sustainability and social responsibility. Companies that demonstrate a genuine commitment to reducing environmental impact have a clear advantage in attracting this talent.
"We created Next Gen Trucking to solve an industry-wide problem with an industry-wide solution. And that’s really trying to educate young people about the trucking industry. We know we have an aging workforce, and seemingly young people don’t really know about all the great careers that we have."
- Lindsey Trent, President & Co-Founder, Next Gen Trucking
What to Expect
Engaging Digital-Native Talent:
Younger generations bring a tech-first mindset, helping the industry innovate, streamline operations, and adapt to increasingly digital environments
Advancing Sustainable Logistics
Reducing CO₂, paper waste, and fuel use improves efficiency while aligning with the environmental values of younger generations entering the industry
Linking Education to Careers
Commercial Driver's License (CDL), diesel, and supply chain programs in schools connect students to real-world logistics technology and provide clear routes into trucking careers
Closing Labor Gaps
Early engagement and structured partnerships foster long-term career pipelines, addressing shortages and preparing future leaders
Watch: Empowering the Next Generation in Trucking
For the supply chain and logistics industry, this shift represents a significant opportunity. Younger workers are not only comfortable with advanced technology, they thrive with it. Their ability to adapt quickly, think digitally, and innovate makes them valuable assets in an industry that depends on efficiency, visibility, and continuous improvement. By embracing their perspective and creating pathways for them to grow, logistics organizations can strengthen their workforce today and build leadership for the future.
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