Careers in Last Mile Delivery

TL;DR: Last-mile delivery offers a range of B2B logistics career opportunities – from courier drivers and dispatch coordinators to route planners – in a sector that employs over 116,000 people in Belgium warehouselogistiek.eu. These roles typically require a valid driving licence (at least category B for vans) and strong soft skills like punctuality, customer focus, and stress resistance leforem.be. However, the industry faces talent shortages, evolving contract models, and demanding working conditions, prompting new policies and innovation. Looking ahead, digital tools, route optimization software, and electric vehicles (EVs) are reshaping skill requirements. Both Belgian law and EU directives are improving labour standards – from working time limits to gig-worker protections – making last-mile logistics more sustainable as a long-term B2B career path.

What are the key roles in last-mile delivery for B2B operations?

Last-mile B2B logistics relies on couriers on the road and coordinators behind the scenes. In business-to-business (B2B) delivery operations, the primary role is the delivery driver (courier) who transports packages from local depots to business clients’ locations.

These drivers handle multiple drop-offs per route and often operate vans or light trucks. Dispatchers or delivery coordinators work in the background to assign deliveries, monitor drivers, and adjust routes as needed for efficiency multiplymii.com. They use scheduling software and real-time data to ensure each package reaches the right place on time.

Logistics planners (or route planners) design daily delivery sequences, taking into account traffic, client time windows, and vehicle capacity. In smaller courier firms, one person may fulfill both dispatcher and planner duties. There are also supporting roles: warehouse and sorting staff prepare goods for last-mile runs, and operations managers oversee service quality.

All these roles must collaborate closely – a dispatcher communicates with drivers about any client changes, and drivers provide feedback on route issues. In a B2B context, couriers often interact directly with client staff upon delivery, so they effectively serve as the “face” of the logistics provider during that last mile.

1. Delivery Drivers (Couriers): Pick up and drop off shipments to business customers, handle loading/unloading, and verify delivery documentation.
2. Dispatch/Operations Coordinators: Allocate delivery jobs to drivers, track delivery progress via GPS, and troubleshoot delays or client requests multiplymii.com.
3. Route/Logistics Planners: Create efficient delivery routes and schedules, optimizing multiple stops to meet deadlines while minimizing travel distance.
4. Warehouse Sorters: Organize and load parcels for delivery routes, ensuring drivers leave with the correct items and paperwork.
5. Operations Managers: Supervise last-mile activities and teams, maintain client service standards, and implement process improvements (e.g. better routing systems or training).

What qualifications, licenses and skills are needed for last-mile delivery jobs?

Most last-mile delivery jobs require a standard driving licence and a mix of hard and soft skills. For courier drivers in Belgium, a valid Category B driver’s licence (for light commercial vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes) is typically mandatory leforem.be. If driving heavier trucks for deliveries (common in some B2B scenarios, like pallet freight), a Category C licence plus a Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) is required under EU rules leforem.be.

Beyond licences, formal education is not usually a barrier – many driver positions do not require specific degrees, though experience in driving or logistics is often preferred by employers (eight in ten job postings sought some experience) leforem.be leforem.be. For dispatchers and planners, a background or training in logistics management can be advantageous, as well as proficiency in IT tools (spreadsheets, routing software) and local geography.

Crucially, soft skills distinguish top candidates in last-mile roles leforem.be. Employers value reliability and time management – a courier must be punctual and meet delivery schedules. Customer-oriented communication is key since drivers often interact with clients at delivery points. Other prized traits include anticipation and problem-solving (to adapt to traffic or scheduling issues) and being safety-conscious (adhering to road rules and handling goods carefully) ec.europa.eu leforem.be. The work is physically active, so fitness and stamina help drivers lift packages and handle long routes.

Lastly, with technology integration, digital literacy is increasingly important – modern couriers use smartphone apps, GPS navigation, and electronic proof-of-delivery systems daily.

1. Valid Driving Licence: Category B for vans (the majority of courier jobs) leforem.be; Category C (and CPC certification) for roles involving trucks or larger vehicles leforem.be.
2. Good Driving Record: Clean traffic history and familiarity with road regulations and urban driving conditions (knowing local delivery zones, restrictions, etc.) ec.europa.eu.
3. Soft Skills: Punctuality, reliability under time pressure, and customer service skills for professional interactions at delivery points leforem.be.
4. Physical Fitness: Ability to lift and carry goods, work on one’s feet, and handle the physical demands of moving packages throughout the day.
5. Tech & Navigation Skills: Comfortable using GPS routing devices, mobile delivery apps, barcode scanners, and basic computer systems – reflecting a growing need for digital know-how in logistics ec.europa.eu.

What challenges affect careers in last-mile delivery?

Last-mile delivery professionals face workforce shortages, precarious contracts, and demanding work conditions. One major challenge is the shortage of drivers and logistics staff, as the transport sector struggles to attract new talent. In Europe, over 230,000 driver positions were unfilled in 2023, and Belgium’s own haulage industry reports a shortfall of thousands of drivers warehouselogistiek.eu. The occupation is aging (nearly 57% of Belgian truck drivers are over 45 years old) warehouselogistiek.eu, signaling a demographic gap.

This high demand for couriers means plenty of job openings, but also pressure on existing staff – overtime and fatigue can be common during peak periods. Another challenge is the prevalence of temporary and freelance contracts. In Belgium, more than 70% of delivery driver job ads are filled via interim (temp agency) arrangements – often short-term contracts with the possibility of a permanent hire later leforem.be.

This model can create uncertainty for workers regarding income stability and benefits. Additionally, the last-mile sector often relies on subcontracting chains: large courier firms contract smaller delivery companies or self-employed drivers. This can dilute accountability and has, at times, led to exploitative practices by a few operators pwclegal.be. Working conditions are a focal issue – the job involves early mornings, traffic congestion, and handling heavy parcels under tight schedules. Couriers may work long days; regulators have intervened to cap excessive hours and ensure fair pay.

For example, Belgium’s new law on parcel delivery mandates maximum delivery driving times (generally 9–10 hours per day, 56 hours per week) to combat overwork pwclegal.be. It also enforces a minimum hourly compensation for both employees and independent couriers (around €32–34 per hour) to prevent underpayment pwclegal.be belparcel.fgov.be. Lastly, urban delivery challenges – like navigating low-emission zones, parking scarcity in cities, and handling returns – add to the daily complexity, requiring resilience from last-mile teams and thoughtful route planning.

1. Driver Shortage: Logistics companies struggle to recruit enough drivers, with older workers retiring and fewer young entrants, leading to increased workloads on the existing workforce warehouselogistiek.eu.
2. Contract Uncertainty: Many couriers start on temporary or gig contracts (e.g. freelance couriers), lacking job security – in Wallonia over half of courier job offers were interim roles with an option for permanent hire leforem.be.
3. Intense Workloads: High delivery volumes and customer expectations (fast delivery, narrow time windows) mean drivers face time pressure, long routes, and sometimes extended working hours (prompting legal limits to protect workers) pwclegal.be.
4. Subcontracting & Gig Work: Tiered subcontracting (e.g. big firms outsourcing to smaller firms or self-employed drivers) can lead to inconsistent standards. Authorities have noted cases of social fraud in parcel delivery chains, pushing new laws to increase oversight pwclegal.be.
5. Physical & Mental Strain: The job can be physically demanding (continuous lifting, driving, hopping in and out of vehicles) and stressful (traffic jams, difficult deliveries). Maintaining safety and service quality under these conditions is a constant challenge, contributing to turnover.

What future skills will last-mile delivery professionals need to develop?

Digital savvy and eco-driving skills are becoming essential in last-mile delivery. As the industry modernizes, couriers and planners must increasingly leverage technology to work efficiently. Route optimization software and AI-driven dispatch systems are now common in last-mile operations (e.g. dynamic navigation apps that re-sequence stops to avoid traffic). This means delivery staff need to be comfortable with smartphones, onboard telematics, and evolving IT platforms.

In surveys, last-mile workers themselves rank “new technologies applied to urban logistics” as one of their top training priorities ec.europa.eu. The ability to quickly learn proprietary apps or handheld devices for scanning packages and obtaining e-signatures is now a core skill. Future delivery drivers will also need to adapt to the electrification of fleets. With companies deploying electric vans, cargo bikes, and other low-emission vehicles, drivers should learn the nuances of operating these: for instance, efficient battery management, locating charging stations, and safe handling of quiet EVs.

Eco-driving techniques (smooth acceleration, energy recuperation) will improve with training, helping to extend vehicle range and reduce carbon footprint ec.europa.eu. In addition, there’s a push for sustainability and congestion reduction in cities – couriers might work with parcel lockers, drones, or micro-distribution hubs, which requires openness to new delivery methods. Data literacy could become valuable even for drivers: understanding performance metrics (like delivery time KPIs or fuel usage reports) enables proactive improvements. Soft skills remain relevant in the future too – automation won’t replace customer interaction at the doorstep, so communication and problem-solving stay important.

However, the overarching trend is that last-mile careers are shifting from purely manual jobs to tech-augmented roles. Continuous learning is key; logistics staff who upskill in areas like digital map tools, fleet management systems, or even basic analytics will be better positioned as the sector evolves ec.europa.eu.

1. Tech Proficiency: Ability to use GPS navigation, mobile delivery apps, digital scanners, and AI-based routing platforms – digital tools are integral to scheduling and proof-of-delivery processes ec.europa.eu.
2. Adaptability to Automation: Openness to emerging delivery modes (e.g. delivery robots, drones, smart lockers) and capacity to work alongside automated systems as they are introduced into last-mile networks.
3. EV Operation & Eco-Driving: Skills for driving electric or hybrid delivery vehicles efficiently – understanding charging procedures, optimizing routes for battery range, and practicing energy-efficient driving habits ec.europa.eu.
4. Data & Analytics Awareness: Basic understanding of logistics KPIs (on-time rates, fuel/energy consumption, etc.) and the ability to interpret fleet tracking data or delivery performance reports to improve service.
5. Continuous Learning Mindset: Willingness to update one’s skills through training – whether it’s learning a new route planning software version or taking a course on safe handling of new vehicle types – as last-mile logistics rapidly innovates.

How do Belgian and EU labour policies impact last-mile delivery workers?

New labour policies in Belgium and the EU are raising standards for last-mile delivery jobs. In Belgium, the government has responded to concerns over courier working conditions by enacting the “Parcel Delivery Act” of 2023 pwclegal.be. This law introduces protections for anyone delivering parcels under 31.5 kg in the last mile – covering both traditional employees and self-employed couriers. Notably, it sets clear limits on working time: a courier cannot be scheduled for more than 9 hours per day (10 hours twice a week) or 56 hours in a week, with an absolute two-week max of 90 hours pwclegal.be.

This mirrors EU driving-time regulations and aims to prevent fatigue. The law also mandates a minimum remuneration for delivery work (initially around €32.77 per hour, now indexed slightly higher) to combat wage dumping pwclegal.be belparcel.fgov.be. Companies offering last-mile services must register with authorities and report their subcontractors and workforce details, increasing transparency pwclegal.be pwclegal.be. Larger courier firms are held jointly responsible if their subcontractors violate labour rules, creating a chain of accountability pwclegal.be. These measures came after high-profile cases of fraud in subcontracting were exposed, and they reflect a regulatory push to professionalize the sector. At the EU level, broader directives are shaping last-mile careers, especially regarding gig economy platforms.

The EU is finalizing a Platform Work Directive intended to ensure that delivery riders and drivers for apps like Deliveroo or Uber Eats are not misclassified as “self-employed” if the platform controls their work europarl.europa.eu. Under this upcoming law, if a platform exerts authority (setting schedules, pricing, etc.), the default assumption will be that the courier is an employee with full labour rights, unless the company can prove otherwise europarl.europa.eu. This could grant many gig couriers rights to minimum wage, social security, and collective bargaining that come with employee status.

Additionally, EU-level road transport regulations (the Mobility Package) already require fair treatment for drivers in cross-border delivery and set universal rules on rest periods. While those rules mainly target freight truck drivers, they signal a continent-wide commitment to safer logistics work. Belgium’s policies often go hand-in-hand with EU initiatives: for example, Belgium’s new law did not directly change whether a courier is an employee or contractor (that classification debate is ongoing in courts) pwclegal.be pwclegal.be, but it ensures basic protections for all couriers regardless of status pwclegal.be. In sum, labour policy is catching up to the fast growth of e-commerce logistics – both Belgian and EU authorities are implementing stricter standards so that last-mile delivery jobs are safer, fairly paid, and sustainable as a career.

1. Working Time Limits: Belgian law now enforces driver working hour caps in last-mile delivery (aligning with EU safety norms) – e.g. max 9–10 hours per day and 56 hours per week, with required rest, to prevent excessive overtime pwclegal.be.
2. Minimum Pay Rates: Belgium introduced a legal minimum pay for parcel couriers (covering fuel, vehicle, and labour costs) of roughly €32–€34/hour pwclegal.be belparcel.fgov.be, ensuring even independent contractors earn a fair wage and curbing competition based on underpaid labor.
3. Accountability for Contractors: The new Parcel Delivery Act requires courier firms to register and report all subcontractors to authorities pwclegal.be pwclegal.be. Lead companies can be held liable for subcontractors’ compliance, discouraging the use of under-the-table operations.
4. Gig Worker Protections: EU-wide legislation is set to grant more rights to platform delivery workers – for instance, assuming an employment relationship (with all associated rights) if the platform dictates how the work is done europarl.europa.eu europarl.europa.eu. This could transform freelance courier gigs into formal jobs with social security.
5. Social Security and Benefits: Both Belgian and EU efforts emphasize that last-mile workers should be covered by social insurance. In Belgium, all parcel delivery providers must report drivers’ social status (employee or self-employed) to the national social security office belparcel.fgov.be belparcel.fgov.be, aiding enforcement of contributions and benefits.

How can jobseekers and employers succeed in the last-mile delivery sector?

By investing in skills, compliance, and worker satisfaction, both candidates and companies can thrive in last-mile delivery. Jobseekers should highlight reliability, flexibility, and familiarity with technology when pursuing courier or dispatcher positions. It’s wise to obtain any needed licences or certifications in advance – for example, if aiming to drive larger delivery trucks, acquiring the Category C licence and CPC qualification will set you apart.

Gaining experience with navigation apps or even volunteering for delivery tasks (like community delivery drives) can demonstrate relevant skills. Candidates can also leverage the current high demand for drivers warehouselogistiek.eu: truck and van drivers are officially designated shortage occupations in Belgium, so motivated newcomers have a good chance of being hired and potentially accessing government-funded training.

Checking regional employment services for programs is worthwhile; for instance, Flanders and Wallonia offer individual apprenticeship (IBO) schemes where companies train unemployed people on the job with public co-funding cedefop.europa.eu cedefop.europa.eu. This means a newbie courier could be hired and trained with financial support to the employer, so don’t hesitate to apply even if you lack experience – emphasize your work ethic and willingness to learn.

For Jobseekers – Get Proper Licensing:

1. Ensure you have the necessary driving licence (B or C with CPC) before applying, and consider supplementary training (e.g. ADR certificate for handling dangerous goods) to broaden the types of delivery jobs you qualify for leforem.be.
2. Highlight Tech and People Skills: In your CV or interview, mention your experience with GPS navigation, delivery tracking apps, or digital maps, as well as your ability to communicate politely and solve problems on the go – last-mile employers seek these traits in candidates ec.europa.eu.
3. Leverage Job Support Programs: Look into Belgian employment programs like apprenticeships or training vouchers for logistics. Many regions subsidize companies to train new drivers cedefop.europa.eu cedefop.europa.eu, so smaller employers may hire novices if they show strong motivation and willingness to learn.

For Employers – Invest in Retention:

1. To keep drivers, offer fair schedules (avoid extreme overtime by hiring extra staff or using part-timers), provide quality equipment (well-maintained vehicles, routing tools), and cultivate a respectful work culture. Satisfied drivers often become the best ambassadors to recruit others.
2. Stay Compliant and Competitive: Keep up with labour laws (working hours, minimum pay, insurance) and implement them diligently – compliance builds trust with your workforce. At the same time, differentiate your service (e.g. faster routes via AI & Smart Routing in Last Mile Delivery, or sustainable practices via Eco-Friendly Last Mile Delivery Options in Belgium) to win business, which in turn supports better pay and growth opportunities for your team.

FAQ: Last-Mile Delivery Careers

Q1: Do I need a special licence to be a last-mile delivery driver in Belgium?

A1: For most courier jobs a Category B car licence is sufficient – this lets you drive standard delivery vans leforem.be. You typically do not need a truck (Category C) licence unless the job involves vehicles above 3.5 tonnes. However, some employers may require a clean driving record and certain permits depending on the deliveries (e.g. an ADR certificate if handling hazardous materials). It’s best to read the job description: if only a B licence is listed, no extra commercial driving licence is needed.

Q2: What are the typical working hours for a last-mile delivery driver?

A2: Most last-mile drivers work full-time shifts that can range around 8–10 hours a day, often starting in the morning to load and then deliver by afternoon. Belgian law now caps parcel delivery time at 9 hours per day (extendable to 10 hours twice a week) and 56 hours per week pwclegal.be. In practice, routes are planned to fit within these limits for safety. During peak periods (e.g. holidays), overtime may occur but must still respect legal maximums. Many delivery jobs are daytime work, though early starts (6–7 AM) are common and occasional weekend or evening work might be required in busy seasons.

Q3: Are last-mile delivery drivers employed as staff or as freelancers?

A3: Both models exist. Many B2B courier drivers in Belgium are employees on payroll (either directly hired or via interim agencies with the chance of a permanent contract) leforem.be. These drivers have set wages under a labour agreement. On the other hand, some couriers work as self-employed contractors, especially those doing ad-hoc or platform-based deliveries. 

Q4: Can I do last-mile delivery as a part-time or student job?

A4: Yes, there are part-time and student opportunities, though full-time positions are more common. Over 90% of courier job postings in Wallonia were for full-time roles leforem.be, but around 7–8% were part-time, and a small share (a few percent) were flexi-jobs or student jobs leforem.be. Many delivery companies need extra hands during peak times and offer evening or weekend shifts ideal for students or those seeking secondary income. 

Q5: Are last-mile delivery jobs in high demand in Belgium?

A5: Absolutely. Logistics employers are actively seeking drivers and other last-mile staff – it’s considered a “bottleneck” occupation (shortage job) in Belgium warehouselogistiek.eu. E-commerce growth and customer expectations have fueled hiring, and many companies report difficulty filling delivery driver vacancies. 

 

Sources

• 🇧🇪 Belgian Legal & Government Sources
• Le Forem (Wallonia Public Employment Service): Chauffeur livreur / Chauffeuse livreuse job profile – outlining licence requirements (B or C) and valued soft skills for delivery drivers
• BELparcel (FPS Social Security): Official FAQ and guidelines on the Law of 17 Dec 2023 (Parcel Delivery Act) – defines last-mile parcel delivery and obligations for employers.
• Belgian Parcel Delivery Act (2023) Summary: Analysis by PwC Legal of new rules to protect parcel couriers
• 🇪🇺 EU Institutions & Directives
• European Parliament – Platform Workers Directive: News update on EU legislation to improve gig workers’ rights
• EU Urban Mobility/Transport Regulations: (Referenced via BELparcel) EU Regulation 561/2006 on driving hours and rest, which the Belgian law leverages by exempting vehicles already under tachograph rules
• Erasmus+ “Last Mile Deliverer” Project Report: EU-funded study on last-mile delivery workers’ competencies
• 📊 Industry Reports & Neutral Platforms
• Febetra (Belgian Road Transport Federation) – Interview 2025: Trade article discussing transport sector challenges
• Cedefop – Belgium Training Incentives: European skills agency overview of Belgium’s training support for employers