Notice Information
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 2Every 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 progressionEvery 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 reskillingEvery 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.
InnovationWhilst 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
Notice Details
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
Buyer & Supplier
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
Further Information
Notice URLs
Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)
View full OCDS Record for this contracting process
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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