Published date: 1 February 2024

Awarded contract - This means that the contract has been awarded to a supplier.


Closing: 24 October 2023, 12pm

Contract summary

Industry

  • Education and training services - 80000000

Location of contract

North West

Value of contract

£3,399,987

Procurement reference

DN690150

Published date

1 February 2024

Closing date

24 October 2023

Closing time

12pm

Contract start date

1 February 2024

Contract end date

31 March 2025

Contract type

Service contract

Procedure type

Call-off from a framework agreement

A mini-competition or direct purchase from a pre-established framework agreement.

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

Yes

Description

Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) looked to procure providers to deliver a programme of activity to provide upskilling and/or reskilling opportunities to employed individuals across GM, which respond directly to skills gaps highlighted by employers in some of our key sectors. Delivery on this programme will need to be completed (that is all delivery completed and outputs / outcomes claimed) by the end of March 2025.

The aim of the programme is to offer tailored support to help people in employment to engage with the skills system, in order to gain qualifications, licences1 and / or skills. Provision should respond to skills gaps highlighted in the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) and be flexible and responsive to the needs and aspirations of participants.

Previously commissioned Greater Manchester programmes for upskilling/reskilling employed individuals, such as GM Skills Bootcamps and the ESF Skills For Growth Programme have made significant progress against our priorities of responding to employer need and providing opportunities for residents to upskill/retrain into good jobs in growth industries. It is envisaged that this programme will continue to provide opportunities for employed residents to access fully funded training in some of the regions key sectors.

For the purpose of this procurement exercise, activity was split into five separate lots with 1 contract being awarded in each lot:

Lot 1: Advanced Digital Skills

Max contract value: £1,600,000

Volumes: minimum 800 starts; minimum 75% to complete

Lot 2: Business Productivity Skills

Max contract value: £1,200,000

Volumes: minimum 800 starts; minimum 75% to complete

Lot 3: Public Services: Health and Social Care Skills

Max contract value: £1,200,000

Volumes: minimum 600 starts; minimum 75% to complete

Lot 4: Construction Technical Skills

Max contract value: £1,000,000

Volumes: minimum 400 starts; minimum 75% to complete

Lot 5: Manufacturing Technical Skills

Max contract value: £1,000,000

Volumes: minimum 400 starts; minimum 75% of complete

This opportunity was commissioned as a further competition/call off from the education, work and skills flexible procurement system.

Award information

Awarded date

20 December 2023

Contract start date

1 February 2024

Contract end date

31 March 2025

Total value of contract

£3,399,987

This contract was awarded to 3 suppliers.

INSTEP UK LIMITED

Address

St James Business Centre, Wilderspool Causeway, Warrington, England, WA4 6PS

Reference

Companies House number: 03789359

Value of contract

£1,199,990

Supplier is SME?

Yes

Supplier is VCSE?

No

ACORN TRAINING LTD

Address

8 Piccadilly Arcade, Stoke-On-Trent, England, ST1 1DL

Reference

Companies House number: 06517343

Value of contract

£1,199,997

Supplier is SME?

Yes

Supplier is VCSE?

No

SB SKILLS SOLUTIONS LTD

Address

Unit 4c Selby Place, Stanley Industrial Estate, Skelmersdale, Lancashire, England, WN8 8EF

Reference

Companies House number: 08442069

Value of contract

£1,000,000

Supplier is SME?

Yes

Supplier is VCSE?

No

About the buyer

Contact name

Eleanor Walsh

Address

Churchgate House, 56 Oxford street
Manchester
M16EU
England

Email

ewsframework@greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk