The Covid-19 pandemic saw warehouses across Australia boom, as virtually everyone relied upon direct-to-consumer fulfilment during lockdowns and restrictions. But despite Australia moving away from lockdowns and restrictions, this widespread reliance on warehousing capabilities has continued to grow. In fact, employment in Australia’s Transport, Postal and Warehousing industry grew by 52,900 (8.2 percent) in the last year, and is projected to grow by another 39,900 (6.1 percent) by November 2026.

While this bodes well for the industry, for warehouse employers struggling to fill shifts amidst the pervasive staff shortages, it poses a challenge.

With competition for staff remaining fierce, international travel not yet back to pre-Covid levels and more Australians than ever looking to move jobs, now’s the time for warehouse employers to begin looking to alternative talent pools in order to find staff.

Perhaps the most promising group for the warehouse sector will be younger employees - more specifically Gen Z - who are those born after 1996 and generally regarded as the most tech-savvy generation.

Here’s why employers in the warehouse sector should be looking to attract Gen Z employees during their hiring process.

A fast-growing generation

Recent data shows that Gen Z will soon surpass Millennials as the most populous generation on earth - making up at least a quarter of the global workforce by 2025. This will be an important consideration for employers looking to fill shifts, as Gen Z will likely make up a significant percentage of candidates entering into the workforce in coming years. Ignore these potential hires and you’ll be severely limiting the talent pool from which you can source employees.

A tech-savvy generation

The growth in the warehousing and logistics sectors has resulted in increasing technological advancements and innovations, which has raised the benchmark across the industry. There’s been an increase in automation, data and analytics, artificial intelligence and other smart warehouse technologies.

Generally referred to as the most tech-savvy generation on earth, Gen Z employees will likely be well-suited to this technologically advancing environment. Employers will likely find they are more willing to engage with this technology and better assimilate it into their everyday working lives.

The exiting older generation

Though it was a larger proportion of the younger generations dropping out of the workforce when the pandemic first began, the lasting story is about Australia’s older workers. Even as the economy reopens and vacancies hit record levels, Baby Boomers have continued to drop out of the labour force. And with the average age of warehouse employers in their 40s, employers might be surprised to find many of their staff may be considering an early retirement.

This choice to retire early could be due to several factors. For example, new research indicates that since the pandemic, older generations are less driven by monetary gain, and have thus decided to leave the workforce and find fulfilment in other aspects of their lives. It is also worth noting that the average number of serious injury claims amongst this older group, particularly within the warehouse sector, is significantly higher than the younger demographic, which could be a key factor in people’s decision to exit the industry, or workforce altogether.

By prioritising the hire of Gen Z candidates, employers are giving themselves a greater chance at a sustainable workforce with less turnover.

Attracting and retaining Gen Z talent

Those companies that find ways to connect with and win over Gen Z candidates, while also being mindful of training, retraining and engaging those workers once they’re hired, will likely find themselves with a sustainable and satisfied warehouse workforce.

It will be important to remember that Gen Z, just like the generations before it, has its own set of values, interests and career goals that will attract individuals to potential employers and jobs.

As specialist recruiters within the warehousing sector, Acclaimed Workforce helps businesses position themselves as an employer of choice, while accessing alternative talent pools. To see how our team can help with your warehouse recruitment efforts, contact us today.