Planning

WMCA Technical Education, Skills and Employment Support Flexible Procurement System Webinar

WEST MIDLANDS COMBINED AUTHORITY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

10 Dec 2025 at 11:50

Summary of the contracting process

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is set to reopen its Flexible Procurement System (FPS) for Technical Education, Skills, and Employment Support services under the Light Touch Regime rules within PCR 2015. This planned procurement process invites skill providers for an online webinar on 18th December 2025 from 2-3pm to discuss preparations for the FPS reopening in January. The procurement focuses on Education and Training Services in the UKG region and is in the Planning stage. The FPS allows new providers to join through set evaluation windows, thereby continuously expanding the network of providers.

This tender presents significant opportunities for skills providers, educational institutions, and training organisations specialising in community education and upskilling. Businesses that can offer innovative solutions in education and vocational training, including digital skills, literacy, numeracy, and support for employment and career progression, would be well-positioned to compete. The scope includes flexible first-step community offers, vocational training to level 2, employment support, higher-level skills and reskilling aligned with regional economic strategies, and innovation in learning approaches. This procurement method enables organisations to become FPS Providers and potentially secure call-off contracts through future competitions.

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Notice Title

WMCA Technical Education, Skills and Employment Support Flexible Procurement System Webinar

Notice Description

This notice is being used to inform the market of WMCA Technical Education, Skills and Employment Support Flexible Procurement System Update Webinar. WMCA have opted to establish an FPS under the Light Touch Regime rules, within the Public Contracts Regulations (PCR, 2015) to deliver our Technical Education, Skills and Employment Support services provision. An FPS is an overarching agreement that allows FPS Providers who are admitted onto it to subsequently compete for Call-off Contracts through further competitions. It operates in a similar way to a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) but will have set windows for evaluation of Applications to join. This will allow WMCA to continually expand our network of providers and welcome new FPS Providers that are able to meet our requirements for the duration of the FPS. Join us for an online update on the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Flexible Procurement System (FPS) before its reopening in January. This webinar will provide skills providers with the latest information and what you need to do to prepare for the reopening. Date- Thursday 18th December Time- 2-3pm Location- Online. Teams link will be emailed to those who register. Link to register: https://assets-gbr.mkt.dynamics.com/a3b85b0d-c453-4680-af2a-330420e03125/digitalassets/standaloneforms/0b794814-2099-f011-b41b-6045bdd1388e?readableEventId=WMCA_Technical_Education_Skills_and_Employment_Support_Flexible_Procurement_System_Update_Webinar2198035027

Lot Information

Building strong and inclusive communities

Every part of the region should have a strong local offer of numeracy, literacy, language and digital skills for communities that supports good health & well-being, builds confidence, improves inclusion & integration, develops key life skills and prepares learners for employment, self-employment or further learning. A place-based approach should ensure a focus on first engagement opportunities for communities under-represented in learning and disadvantaged in the labour market, providing a clear pathway towards level 2. This offer will take place in community settings as short first steps provision with a progression pathway onto an Adult and Community Education Service.

Providing a good education up to level 2

Every part of the region should have a strong local offer that provides any residents who need it with a good education up to level 2. This should include: A comprehensive offer of high quality, locally available opportunities to improve literacy and numeracy, including through statutory entitlements e.g. Functional Skills Qualifications A purpose-driven offer of English language learning up to level 2 that supports the cultural capital, social capital and vocational development of learners as they improve their language skills A digital skills offer that helps residents access online support services needed for health, welfare, training or employment Integrating vocational training at level 2 as a component to support progression to further learning, work or in-work progression. This should target those occupations where high vacancy demand exists, where there is a greening of job roles to support net zero and in occupations likely to have a higher proportion of workers without qualifications The offer should be relevant and adaptable to the 47% of adult residents without foundation skills qualifications who are in work. Flexible and accessible delivery models should enable learners to study alongside wider commitments. Strong partnership arrangements and personalised support should ensure clear progression pathways into level 2 provision or good work. A place-based approach should ensure a focus on those areas/people with the lowest skill levels and lowest levels of participation in adult education.

Moving residents into employment and supporting career progression

Every part of the region should have a strong into-work offer aligned to local labour market opportunities. This should include provision that supports: young people to transition into the labour market unemployed adults into good work economically inactive adults into the labour market, including those who have a health condition or disability in-work progression out of low pay, including for those in the gig economy and on zero hours contracts people in employment, experiencing systemic disadvantage due to disabilities, gender, ethnic background or other characteristics retraining for career change, including for those without good foundation skills Working with specialist providers and in partnership with employers, the offer will deliver the skills that businesses need, providing clear progression pathways into good work alongside effective wraparound support for learners. The offer should include flexible delivery models that are accessible for residents who work shifts or who can only attend at weekends and/or evenings. A place-based approach should ensure a focus on those areas/people with high levels of labour market insecurity, including unemployment, inactivity, in-work poverty and/or risk of redundancy.

Meeting future skills needs at level 3 and above through upskilling and reskilling

Every part of the region should have a higher-level skills offer aligned to regional economic priorities. This should include: A strong and broad offer at level 3, accessible to those in employment and affordable for those in low paid work A flexible modular offer at level 4/5 aligned to the requirements of businesses, to support retraining or career progression An accessible leadership and management offer at level 4 and above that supports SMEs to improve productivity and growth and is targeted on residents currently under-represented in L&M training Working with universities, colleges, specialist providers and in partnership with employers, the offer will serve the growing requirement for higher level skills across the region - to strengthen business, improve productivity and attract inward investment. The offer should be accessible for those in work, with more part-time, evening, weekend and hybrid delivery to fit around work and wider commitments of learners. A place-based approach will ensure that higher-level skills opportunities are closely aligned to local/regional economic opportunities and strategies, including Plan for Growth and Investment Zones.

Innovation

Whilst remaining with the overall objectives and requirements of Technical Education, Skills and Employment Support services, WMCA want the capacity and capability to innovate in the delivery of skills and employment support across the region. This innovation approach may not fit within the descriptors of the other four categories but will incorporate the space to test and learn. The types of activities we're likely to see included, but not exclusively, are: - AI and Data Driven Approaches - Gamification and Immersive Learning - Flexible and Customised Learning Paths e.g. modular, micro-credentials and badging - Work-Based Learning and Apprenticeships - Technical Education - Inclusive and Accessible Training Solutions for Disadvantaged Groups - Sustainability and Green Skills - Entrepreneurship and Innovation Skills - Community-Based and Peer Learning Initiatives - Test and Learn Programmes to Pilot New Training Approaches

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05f2a1
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/081427-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planning Notice
Procurement Type
Dynamic
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services


CPV Codes

80000000 - Education and training services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 Dec 20252 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
16 Jan 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
WEST MIDLANDS COMBINED AUTHORITY
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
katie.griffin@wmca.org.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
BIRMINGHAM
Postcode
B19 3SD
Post Town
Birmingham
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG3 West Midlands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG31 Birmingham
Delivery Location
TLG West Midlands (England)

Local Authority
Birmingham
Electoral Ward
Newtown
Westminster Constituency
Birmingham Ladywood

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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