(51)Member States are encouraged to intensify partnerships between educational and training bodies, including universities and vocational schools, and transport and logistics companies, in order to tackle the shortage of professional drivers in the Union. The development and support of apprenticeships, traineeships and similar educational offerings in those partnerships should offer to future professional drivers an opportunity to become more familiar with the benefits and the challenges of the profession, to improve their operational and organisational skills and to gain experience, while using advanced technologies and techniques. The Commission is encouraged to support public-private partnerships between vocational schools and logistics and transport companies to enhance the availability and skills of professional drivers, using Union programmes such as Erasmus+.