Musgraves and Amazon will be among the exhibitors at the third annual Logistics and Supply Chain Skills Week.
Ireland's logistics and supply chain sector is responsible for €196bn in exports annually and Irish ports handled 47.5m tonnes of goods in 2023, but the industry continues to experience skills shortages.
According to the Department of Transport, there is an ever-rising need for expertise and diversity in supply chain skills, both green and digital, as the workforce ages.
For instance, a third of HGV drivers are aged 55 or older.
Logistics and Supply Chain Skills Weeks 2025 runs from Monday to Saturday (31 March to 5 April) with in-person events such as expos and summits, as well as webinars and sector-specific career fairs.
The programme of events commenced this morning with the Next Generation Logistics and Supply Chain Skills Summit at the National Maritime College of Ireland, Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork.
The full programme of events can be found here.
The week aims to highlight career opportunities across the sector, including in green and digital innovation, as Ireland fosters ever-more sustainable and resilient supply chains.
There will also be workshops focusing on the practical applications of AI and future skills needs, and the role logistics and supply chains will play in delivering wind energy generation, among other topics.
The LogisTYcs Skills Expo for second-level students returns this year to provide Transition Year pupils with information on future educational and career opportunities within the supply chain and logistics sector.
It will take place on Thursday (3 April) at the Curragh Racecourse, Co. Kildare. Students will hear directly from young people working in the sector. There is also a focus on Women in Logistics & Supply Chain.
Musgraves, Amazon, Irish Rail Freight, DFDS and Interntional Logistics will exhibit, along with many others, and students can compete for prizes such as tickets to the Mondello Park Electrified by Opel experience.
A total of 170 companies currently employ logistics apprentices. Although logistics-related higher education enrolments have risen 52% since 2019, workforce gaps remain in supply chain management, green skills and digital expertise.
Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports Seán Canney, said: “Logistics Week showcases the sector's commitment to a digital, diverse, and green future.
"It highlights the importance of collaboration between industry, educators, and government to achieve shared goals. While diversity of talent is a key challenge, sustainable growth and decarbonisation are also crucial.
"Future economic growth will require green, sustainability and digital skills to leverage technological advancements and ensure the industry's resilience. I look forward to the week ahead with all the exciting events taking place.”
Speaking at the launch event this morning in Ringaskiddy, Minister of State Jerry Buttimer commented: "I believe as well as more young people, we need more women in the sector.
"Approximately 31% of workers in the wider logistics and supply chain sector are women, well below the national average across all economic sectors at almost 47%. It is for this reason that Logistics Week has a specific focus on attracting women.”
(Pic: Getty Images)
