Planning

Essex Skills Bootcamps Wave 7

ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

08 Jan 2026 at 15:24

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Essex County Council is currently in the planning stage of a procurement process titled "Essex Skills Bootcamps Wave 7," aimed at commissioning service providers to deliver Skills Bootcamps in the Essex region. This initiative falls under the education and training services category and is geared towards addressing skills gaps within the local workforce. The contracting authority, Essex County Council, is located in Chelmsford, UK, and the procurement process is scheduled to move forward following a market engagement phase that ends on 29th January 2026. The services are to commence by June 2026, with the contract running until September 2027. The total estimated value of the contract is £680,000, and the initiative forms part of a coordinated effort across Essex, Southend, and Thurrock.

This procurement offers significant opportunities for businesses in the education and training sector, particularly those specialising in adult learning and workforce development. Companies that are well-suited to compete in this tender include those experienced in conducting flexible, sector-specific training programmes for adults, especially if they can ensure a pipeline from training to employment. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are encouraged to participate, as they might provide unique and innovative solutions that align with the strategic goals set by Essex County Council to tackle local employment challenges and support economic growth by enhancing workforce capabilities.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Essex Skills Bootcamps Wave 7

Notice Description

Essex County Council is gathering the requirements in order to be able to commission Service Providers to deliver Skills Bootcamps across Essex. Introduction to Skills Bootcamps in Essex Skills Bootcamps offer adults aged 19 and over the opportunity to develop sector-specific skills through flexible courses lasting up to 16 weeks. These programmes are either fully funded or co-funded, making them accessible to a wide range of learners. Upon completion, participants must be guaranteed a fast-track interview with a local employer. Skills Bootcamps is about securing jobs for our residents, upskilling the existing workforce and supporting local employers to manage skills gaps. Our key target groups and ambition * Unemployed adults into jobs (Essex residents) * Employed adults into new jobs or promotion (Essex residents or employees at Essex based businesses) * Employers addressing critical skills shortages (Essex based businesses). A coordinated approach to the delivery of Skills Bootcamps across Essex, Southend, and Thurrock will strengthen the region's response to current vacancies and future opportunities. This initiative aligns with national priorities and the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP). Prospective Service Providers are encouraged to complete the survey https://consultations.essex.gov.uk/procurement/69ac3fe6/ to help Essex County Council update its market intelligence of what programmes Service Providers could be commissioned to deliver. Which will will then be used in the creation of the requirements.

Planning Information

Essex County Council is gathering the requirements in order to be able to commission Service Providers to deliver Skills Bootcamps across Essex. Introduction to Skills Bootcamps in Essex Skills Bootcamps offer adults aged 19 and over the opportunity to develop sector-specific skills through flexible courses lasting up to 16 weeks. These programmes are either fully funded or co-funded, making them accessible to a wide range of learners. Upon completion, participants must be guaranteed a fast-track interview with a local employer. Skills Bootcamps is about securing jobs for our residents, upskilling the existing workforce and supporting local employers to manage skills gaps. Our key target groups and ambition • Unemployed adults into jobs (Essex residents) • Employed adults into new jobs or promotion (Essex residents or employees at Essex based businesses) • Employers addressing critical skills shortages (Essex based businesses). A coordinated approach to the delivery of Skills Bootcamps across Essex, Southend, and Thurrock will strengthen the region's response to current vacancies and future opportunities. This initiative aligns with national priorities and the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP). Prospective Service Providers are encouraged to complete the survey https://consultations.essex.gov.uk/procurement/69ac3fe6/ to help Essex County Council update its market intelligence of what programmes Service Providers could be commissioned to deliver. Which will will then be used in the creation of the requirements.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-060214
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/001552-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
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
£680,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
8 Jan 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
29 Jan 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 May 2026 - 30 Sep 2027 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
melody.mahachi@essex.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
CHELMSFORD
Postcode
CM1 1QH
Post Town
Chelmsford
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH3 Essex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH36 Heart of Essex
Delivery Location
TLH3 Essex
Local Authority
Chelmsford
Electoral Ward
Moulsham and Central
Westminster Constituency
Chelmsford

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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