At a time when nearly a quarter of transportation workers are over 55 and only 12% are under 25, industries must adapt — or risk falling behind.

A new report by Samsara reveals how technology is attracting younger talent and transforming workplace safety, efficiency, and job satisfaction in key fleet sectors.

These changes, driven by shifting workforce trends, bring challenges and opportunities for the industries that power over 40% of the global economy — including transportation and logistics, construction, manufacturing, utilities, state and local government, and more.

The report includes insights from 1,550 physical operations leaders across seven countries. It reveals how their workplaces are transforming to meet the demands of a new generation while creating safer and more efficient organizations.

The report’s main takeaways include:

• Workers are eager for greater investment in safety and security.

• Technologies that improve workforce safety, security, and efficiency deliver massive ROI.

• Leaders are successfully using technology to attract and retain the next generation of workers.

The majority (85%) of leaders surveyed agree that modern technology tools have made their industries more desirable to younger workers. Many also report increased employee morale, improved productivity, and lower turnover.

“It’s no secret, the labor market can be tough in industries like transportation, construction, and field services, but we’re seeing technology make a real difference in how younger talent views their career opportunities,” Meagen Eisenberg, chief marketing officer at Samsara, said. “Our research shows that technology is not only making these industries more attractive but also helping retain workers for the long term. The ROI is impressive, and yet, there’s so much potential ahead as many are at the beginning of their digital transformation.”

Recognizing the value of technology in protecting workers from not-at-fault incidents and false claims, leaders ranked cameras as the top technology for improving recruitment and retention. Automation and robotics closely followed, reflecting younger workers’ emphasis on job safety and their comfort with technology that enhances safety.

A unique use of technology that ranked third in improving younger recruitment lends itself to gamification in the workplace, which involves implementing performance scorecards or personalized scores based on safety or efficiency data.

Despite investments, many workers aren’t yet satisfied, as 71% of leaders report they frequently hear feedback about the need for greater investments in safety and security.

To address this, nearly all (99%) plan to increase investments in workforce safety and security technologies over the next five years, with many prioritizing IoT-enabled safety devices, automation that reduces worker exposure to hazards, enhanced personal protective equipment (PPE), and predictive safety analytics. 

A resounding 99% confirmed that technology has empowered the workforce to shift their focus toward higher-value tasks, including preventive maintenance, safety checks, and valuable upskilling opportunities.

The research also revealed widespread adoption of e-learning platforms, with 85% of organizations already using these tools. Leaders cite employee retention as the top benefit, which signals a better employee experience and reduced turnover costs.

Leaders are evenly split on what they foresee as the biggest challenge to recruiting and retaining talent over the next 5 years, indicating no silver bullet. Commercial fleet leaders should invest in various strategies, from offering competitive benefits and growth opportunities to investing in upskilling and reskilling.