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Manchester Worklessness Programme

MANCHESTER CITY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

17 Jun 2026 at 15:58

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Manchester City Council is in the planning stage of a procurement process for the "Manchester Worklessness Programme". This initiative targets the services sector and is aimed at assisting unemployed residents in Manchester, UK to transition into gainful employment. A preliminary market engagement has been scheduled, with a webinar taking place on 1 July 2026, from 1 to 3 pm, to gather insights from potential suppliers. The contracting period is set to start on 15 January 2027 and end on 31 March 2029. The procurement process involves the commissioning of services under the "light touch" regime, signalling a flexible approach to engaging with market participants.

This procurement presents significant opportunities for businesses involved in job search and career guidance services, particularly those with innovative and adaptable service delivery models. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs), as well as voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs), are encouraged to participate, given the programme's emphasis on community and place-based delivery and consortium partnerships. Businesses with digital and hybrid service delivery capabilities stand to benefit greatly from this tender, as the Council is looking to incorporate technology-driven solutions to enhance service efficiency and reach. By engaging in this procurement, businesses can bolster their presence in the public sector while contributing to Manchester's broader socio-economic development goals.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Manchester Worklessness Programme

Notice Description

Manchester City Council (MCC) is seeking to engage with the market to inform the commissioning of a Worklessness Programme aimed at supporting residents who are currently out of work to move towards and into sustainable employment. The Council aims to design a future programme that supports individuals furthest from the labour market, integrates with health, skills, and support services and promotes inclusive growth and reduces inequalities. The Worklessness Programme is primarily expected to offer support to unemployed or not economically active residents (16 years+) to move them into employment on programmes of up to 12 months. The programme can also support adults who are in work but need additional support to retain employment. Support should include person-centred interventions that improve confidence, wellbeing, and employability; enable progression into sustained employment and/or training; address wider barriers through holistic support and contribute to Manchester's inclusive economy ambitions. We are particularly interested in innovative, flexible delivery approaches, community and place-based models, partnership and consortium delivery models and digital and hybrid delivery solutions. Please note dates of the contract length are indicative at present and potentially may change.

Planning Information

As part of the preliminary market engagement, the Council will be hosting a market engagement webinar on 1 July, 1-3pm. Tickets for the free webinar can be booked via the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/manchester-worklessness-programme-market-engagement-webinar-tickets-1992055534729

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06b780
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/057321-2026
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, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

79611000 - Job search services

79634000 - Career guidance services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Jun 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
15 Jul 20263 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
15 Jan 2027 - 31 Mar 2029 2-3 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
MANCHESTER CITY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
MANCHESTER
Postcode
M60 2LA
Post Town
Manchester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD3 Greater Manchester
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD33 Manchester
Delivery Location
TLD33 Manchester
Local Authority
Manchester
Electoral Ward
Piccadilly
Westminster Constituency
Manchester Central

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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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