This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

13 Jan 2026 at 16:40

Summary of the contracting process

Southern Water Services Limited, located in Worthing, UK, has initiated a tender process titled "PA23 - UK4 - Tender Notice" to establish a high-quality framework agreement for the delivery of apprenticeship training across various sectors. The procurement process is currently in the tender stage, and Southern Water is seeking framework partners capable of delivering apprenticeships recognised by Skills England. The framework will be funded via the Apprenticeship Growth and Skills levy and aims to support workforce development across multiple departments. The industry categories covered include business administration, engineering, environmental, digital, and more, with specific lots designed for different regions, including the Isle of Wight. Key dates include an end date for tenders on 10th February 2026 and an anticipated award period closing on 3rd March 2026.

This tender process offers significant opportunities for businesses, especially those with expertise in delivering a wide range of apprenticeship standards from Level 2 to Level 7. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs) are particularly encouraged to participate, as the framework supports flexible, high-quality service delivery to meet Southern Water's strategic workforce planning needs. The procurement method employed is a competitive flexible procedure aligned with the Procurement Act 2023, ensuring transparency and fair competition. This presents an excellent growth opportunity for organisations capable of providing vocational training services, especially those positioned to cater to the distinct geographical and sectoral needs outlined in the tender.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

PA23 - UK4 - Tender Notice

Notice Description

SW is tendering an existing framework under PA23 rules, and has removed apprenticeships that have ceased to exist and are no longer business relevant, and started offering new apprenticeship standards that add value to the business and continue to offer the programmes that have had largest uptake of apprentice enrolments within SWS. 1.Purpose and Objectives The objective of the tender is to select Framework Partners who are capable of delivering Apprenticeship standards recognized by Skills England, divided into Lots as listed in this scope document and Schedule 1 of the Framework. To establish a compliant high-quality framework agreement for the delivery of Apprenticeship training funded via the Apprenticeship Growth and Skills levy. The framework will support workforce development across multiple departments and align with SW business needs and outputs of strategic workforce planning. 2.Scope of services To achieve business objectives, SWS is looking to develop a multi-supplier, multi-lot framework. The aim of the Framework is to secure future provision and enable access to wide range of recognized apprenticeship programmes and standards. SWS reserves the right to amend the scope by adding or removing apprenticeship standards during the term of the agreement in case of any scope coverage gaps, or to keep the standards up to date and aligned with apprenticeship standards governed by Skills England. Delivery of Apprenticeship standards from Level 2 to Level 7 Coverage across job categories including: - Business & Administration - Construction in a built Environment - Creative and design - Digital - Engineering and manufacturing - Environmental, - Legal Finance & Accounting - Health & Science - Marketing & Procurement The Framework has been divided into 9 Lots. Please note that Lot 9 is for delivery of the above services in the ISle of Wight only as indicated within the tender pack

Lot Information

Business Administration

Associate Project Manager Level 4, Business administrator Level 3, Career development professional Level 6, Chartered manager (degree) Level 6, Coaching professional Level 5, Corporate responsibility and sustainability practitioner Level 4, Data Practitioner and information governance practitioner Level 4, Governance officer Level 4, HR support Level 3, Improvement leader Level 6, Improvement practitioner Level 4, Improvement specialist Level 5, Improvement technician Level 3, Information manager Level 4, Learning and development consultant business partner - Level 5, Learning and development practitioner Level 3, Operations manager Level 5, People professional Level 5, Policy officer Level 4, Project Manager (integrated degree) level 6, Quality practitioner Level 4, Recruiter Level 3, Regulatory compliance officer Level 4, Senior leader Level 7, Senior people professional Level 7, Sustainability business specialist (integrated degree) Level 7, Systems thinking practitioner Level7, Team Leader Level 3.

Options: The initial term of the Framework is 3 years, SWS reserves the right to extend after the initial term up to a total of 6 years extension 1 - 2 years extension 2 - 1 year

Renewal: After the initial 3 year period There is an pption to extend for 2+1

Digital

Applications support lead Level 4, AI data specialist Level 7, Business Analyst Level 4, Creative digital design professional (integrated degree) Level 6, Cyber security technical professional (integrated degree) Level 6, Cyber security technician Level 3, Cyber security technologist Level 4, Data analyst Level 4, Data Engineer Level 5, Data scientist (integrated degree) Level 6, Data technician Level 3, DevOps Engineer Level 4, Digital accessibility specialist Level 4, Digital and technology solutions professional Level 6, Digital and technology solutions specialist (integrated degree) Level 7, Digital device repair technician Level 3, Digital learning designer Level 5, Digital product manager Level 4, Digital support technician Level 3, Digital user experience (ux) professional (integrated degree) Level 6, Information communications technician Level 3, IT solutions technician Level 3, Software developer Level 4, Software development technician Level 3, Software tester Level 4, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Automation practitioner

Options: The initial term of the Framework is 3 years, SWS reserves the right to extend after the initial term up to a total of 6 years extension 1 - 2 years extension 2 - 1 year

Renewal: After the initial 3 year period There is an pption to extend for 2+1

Legal, Finance & Accounting

Accountancy or taxation professional, Level 7, Accounting finance manager, Level 6, Accounts or finance assistant, Level 2, Advanced credit controller and debt collection specialist, Level 3, Assistant accountant, Level 3, Chartered legal executive, Level 6, Chartered legal executive litigator and advocate, Level 7, Compliance and risk officer, Level 3, Credit controller and collector, Level 2, Internal audit practitioner, Level 4, internal audit professional, Level 7, Paralegal, Level 3, Payroll assistant manager, Level 5, Senior compliance and risk specialist, Level 6, Senior compliance and risk specialist, Level 6, Solicitor, Level 7.

Options: The initial term of the Framework is 3 years, SWS reserves the right to extend after the initial term up to a total of 6 years extension 1 - 2 years extension 2 - 1 year

Renewal: After the initial 3 year period There is an pption to extend for 2+1

Marketing & Procurement

Bid and proposal co-ordinator, Level 3, Customer service practitioner, Level 2, Customer service specialist, Level 3, Procurement and supply assistant, Level 3, Procurement and supply chain practitioner, Level 4, Public relations and communications assistant, Level 4, Senior procurement and supply chain professional, Level 6.

Options: The initial term of the Framework is 3 years, SWS reserves the right to extend after the initial term up to a total of 6 years extension 1 - 2 years extension 2 - 1 year

Renewal: After the initial 3 year period There is an pption to extend for 2+1

Construction in a built Environment

Chartered Surveyor (degree), Level 6, Civil Engineer (degree), Level 6, Civil engineering senior technician, Level 4, Civil engineering site management (degree), Level 6, Civil engineering technician, Level 3, Construction quantity surveyor (degree), Level 6, Design and construction management(degree), Level 6, Facilities management supervisor, Level 3, Facilities manager, Level 4, Facilities services operative, Level 2, Installation and maintenance electrician, Level 3, Senior and head of facilities management, (integrated degree), Level 6.

Options: The initial term of the Framework is 3 years, SWS reserves the right to extend after the initial term up to a total of 6 years extension 1 - 2 years extension 2 - 1 year

Renewal: After the initial 3 year period There is an pption to extend for 2+1

Engineering & Manufacturing

Asset manager, Level 4, Automation and controls engineering technician, Level 4, Electro-mechanical engineer, Level 6, Mechatronics maintenance technician, Level 3, Post graduate engineer, Level 7, Risk and safety management professional, (degree), Level 7, Science industry process and plant engineer (degree), Level 6, Water industry network technician, Level 3, Water network operative, Level 2, Water process operative, Level 2, Utilities engineering technician, Level 3, Engineering Maintenance Technician Level 3

Options: The initial term of the Framework is 3 years, SWS reserves the right to extend after the initial term up to a total of 6 years extension 1 - 2 years extension 2 - 1 year

Renewal: After the initial 3 year period There is an pption to extend for 2+1

Environmental

Ecologist (degree), Level 7, Environmental practitioner (degree), Level 6, Water environment worker, Level 3

Options: The initial term of the Framework is 3 years, SWS reserves the right to extend after the initial term up to a total of 6 years extension 1 - 2 years extension 2 - 1 year

Renewal: After the initial 3 year period There is an pption to extend for 2+1

Health & Science

Laboratory Scientist (Level 5), Laboratory Technician (Level 3), Psychological wellbeing practitioner(Level 6), Research Scientist (Level 7), Scientist (Level 6), Soil Scientist (Level 7), Technician Scientist (Level 5)

Options: The initial term of the Framework is 3 years, SWS reserves the right to extend after the initial term up to a total of 6 years extension 1 - 2 years extension 2 - 1 year

Renewal: After the initial 3 year period There is an pption to extend for 2+1

Isle of Wight

Automation and controls engineering technician, Level 4, Mechatronics maintenance technician, Level 3, Water industry network technician, Level 3, Water industry treatment process technician, Level 3, Water network operative, Level 2, Water process operative, Level 2, Water treatment technician, Level 3, Water Industry Asset Maintenance Technician Level 3, Engineering Maintenance Technician Level 3

Options: The initial term of the Framework is 3 years, SWS reserves the right to extend after the initial term up to a total of 6 years extension 1 - 2 years extension 2 - 1 year

Renewal: After the initial 3 year period There is an pption to extend for 2+1

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-060517
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/002843-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services


CPV Codes

80530000 - Vocational training services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£3,600,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£6,800,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
13 Jan 20267 months ago
Submission Deadline
10 Feb 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
19 May 2026 - 20 May 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Southern Water Services Limited
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
WORTHING
Postcode
BN13 3NX
Postcode Area
Brighton
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ2 Surrey, East and West Sussex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ27 West Sussex (South West)
Delivery Location
TLJ22 East Sussex CC, TLJ27 West Sussex (South West), TLJ34 Isle of Wight, TLJ35 South Hampshire, TLJ36 Central Hampshire, TLJ37 North Hampshire, TLJ4 Kent

Local Authority
Worthing
Electoral Ward
Northbrook
Westminster Constituency
Worthing West

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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