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North Northamptonshire Council Apprenticeship Training Services Framework

North Northamptonshire Council

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

08 Oct 2026 at 12:08

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

25 Jun 2026 at 14:29

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

North Northamptonshire Council is procuring apprenticeship training services through a multi-provider framework to develop its workforce and support locally maintained schools. Training spans ten broad areas: business and management; digital, data and marketing; construction; legal, accounting and procurement; catering and hospitality; education and early years; agriculture and environmental work; health and care; protective services; and engineering and manufacturing. Each area has specialist sub-lots, including subjects such as artificial intelligence, cyber security, building services, teaching, social work, arboriculture and trading standards. Providers may apply for one or more areas. The work is delivered in North Northamptonshire, with Corby as the council’s base. This is a broad education and training services opportunity rather than a single course or apprenticeship standard.

The council invited offers under an open procedure for a multi-provider open framework. The procurement reached tender stage; bids were due by 9 November 2026 at 12:00, with the award decision due by 30 November 2026. The framework is scheduled to run from 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2030, with an option to extend by up to two years, to 31 December 2032. Its estimated total value is £2 million; each of the ten lots is estimated at £200,000. These are estimates based on anticipated demand and funding, and the council guarantees no minimum expenditure, either overall or for any lot. The framework uses pass/fail assessment: providers must satisfy the participation conditions and procurement-specific and award questionnaire requirements to be admitted to the relevant lots.

The opportunity suits apprenticeship training providers able to deliver recognised training across one or more of the listed occupational standards and qualification levels. Specialist providers can target a single sub-lot, while organisations with wider course portfolios can apply across several fields. Small and medium-sized businesses and voluntary, community and social enterprises are explicitly considered suitable across the lots. Successful applicants would join a multi-provider framework; admission depends on meeting the council’s participation conditions and passing its required questionnaires, rather than competing on a scored quality ranking. The framework is intended to support council workforce development and, in education and early years, locally maintained schools. Providers should assess fit against the specific apprenticeship standards and sub-lots in the procurement requirements, particularly where delivery requires expertise in regulated, technical or professional disciplines.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

North Northamptonshire Council Apprenticeship Training Services Framework

Notice Description

North Northamptonshire Council wishes to invite prospective Providers to participate in an Open Framework procurement for the provision of Apprenticeship Training Services. The Council is seeking to establish a multi-provider Apprenticeship Training Framework to support workforce development priorities through the delivery of high-quality apprenticeship training across a broad range of occupational sectors, professions and qualification levels. The Framework has been structured into multiple Lots and Sub-Lots LOT 1 - Business and Management - Lot 1a - Human Resources (HR) and Learning and Development (L&D) - Lot 1b - Business, Administration and Customer Service - Lot 1c - Improvement and Quality - Lot 1d - Project Management - Lot 1e - Housing and Property Management - Lot 1f - Revenue and Benefits - Lot 1g - Governance - Lot 1h - Service Designer LOT 2 - Digital, Data and Marketing - Lot 2a - Foundation Apprenticeships - Lot 2b - Data - Lot 2c - Artificial Intelligence (AI) - Lot 2d - Digital Support 1 - Lot 2e - Digital Support 2 - Lot 2f - Digital Solutions - Lot 2g - Cyber Security - Lot 2h - Marketing and Communications LOT 3 - Construction - Lot 3a - Foundation Apprenticeships - Lot 3b - Trades - Lot 3c - Building Services Engineering - Lot 3d - Low Carbon - Lot 3e - Facilities Management - Lot 3f - Support Technician LOT 4 - Legal, Accounting and Procurement - Lot 4a - Legal 1 - Lot 4b - Legal 2 - Lot 4c - Legal 3 - Lot 4d - Accountancy - Lot 4e - Audit - Lot 4f - Procurement LOT 5 - Catering and Hospitality - Lot 5a - Foundation Apprenticeship - Lot 5b - Catering and Hospitality LOT 6 - Education and Early Years - Lot 6a - Early Years - Lot 6b - Schools Pathway - Lot 6c - Undergraduate Teacher - Lot 6d - Postgraduate Teacher - Lot 6e - Sports Coach LOT 7 - Agriculture and Environmental - Lot 7a - Agricultural Operative or Technician - Lot 7b - Professional Arborist - Lot 7c - Environmental Practitioner - Lot 7d - Greenkeeping - Lot 7e - Landscape or Horticultural LOT 8 - Health and Care - Lot 8a - Adult Care Services Foundation Apprenticeship - Lot 8b - Children's Youth - Lot 8c - Children's Youth (Higher Level) - Lot 8d - Adult Care Services - Lot 8e - Early Intervention (Adults and Children's) - Lot 8f - Social Worker Degree Apprenticeship (Adults and Children's) - Lot 8g - Health 1 (Occupational Therapist) - Lot 8h - Health 2 (Public Health Practitioner) - Lot 8i - Health 3 (Speech and Language Therapist) - Lot 8j - Leisure LOT 9 - Protective Services - Lot 9a - Health and Safety - Lot 9b - Anti-Social Behaviour - Lot 9c - Emergency Planning - Lot 9d - Regulatory Compliance - Lot 9e - Trading Standards LOT 10 - Engineering and Manufacturing - Lot 10a - Asset Management - Lot 10b - Processes Suppliers may apply for one or more Lots. Further details of the Framework requirements, Lots, Sub-Lots and associated apprenticeship standards are set out in the procurement documentation.

Lot Information

LOT 1 Business and Management

This LOT covers apprenticeship standards that support the development of business, leadership and management capability over the following sub-lots. - Lot 1a - Human Resources (HR) and Learning and Development (L&D) - Lot 1b - Business, Administration and Customer Service - Lot 1c - Improvement and Quality - Lot 1d - Project Management - Lot 1e - Housing and Property Management - Lot 1f - Revenue and Benefits - Lot 1g - Governance - Lot 1h - Service Designer

Renewal: The Council is setting up a Framework Agreement for the Provision of Apprenticeship Training Services Framework for an initial period of 48 months, with the option to extend for up to a further 24 months at the Council's sole discretion, with the preferred Potential Supplier(s). Please note the Contract Date excluding is 31st December 2030 and including extension is 31st December 2032.

LOT 2 Digital, Data and Marketing

This LOT covers apprenticeship standards that support the development of digital, data and marketing skills over the following sub-lots. - Lot 2a - Foundation Apprenticeships - Lot 2b - Data - Lot 2c - Artificial Intelligence (AI) - Lot 2d - Digital Support 1 - Lot 2e - Digital Support 2 - Lot 2f - Digital Solutions - Lot 2g - Cyber Security - Lot 2h - Marketing and Communications

Renewal: The Council is setting up a Framework Agreement for the Provision of Apprenticeship Training Services Framework for an initial period of 48 months, with the option to extend for up to a further 24 months at the Council's sole discretion, with the preferred Potential Supplier(s). Please note the Contract Date excluding is 31st December 2030 and including extension is 31st December 2032.

LOT 3 - Construction

This LOT covers apprenticeship standards that support the development of construction, building maintenance and infrastructure-related skills over the following sub-lots. - Lot 3a - Foundation Apprenticeships - Lot 3b - Trades - Lot 3c - Building Services Engineering - Lot 3d - Low Carbon - Lot 3e - Facilities Management - Lot 3f - Support Technician

Renewal: The Council is setting up a Framework Agreement for the Provision of Apprenticeship Training Services Framework for an initial period of 48 months, with the option to extend for up to a further 24 months at the Council's sole discretion, with the preferred Potential Supplier(s). Please note the Contract Date excluding is 31st December 2030 and including extension is 31st December 2032.

LOT 4 Legal, Accounting and Procurement

This LOT covers apprenticeship standards that support the development of legal, financial, accounting and procurement expertise across over the following sub-lots. - Lot 4a - Legal 1 - Lot 4b - Legal 2 - Lot 4c - Legal 3 - Lot 4d - Accountancy - Lot 4e - Audit - Lot 4f - Procurement

Renewal: The Council is setting up a Framework Agreement for the Provision of Apprenticeship Training Services Framework for an initial period of 48 months, with the option to extend for up to a further 24 months at the Council's sole discretion, with the preferred Potential Supplier(s). Please note the Contract Date excluding is 31st December 2030 and including extension is 31st December 2032.

LOT 5 Catering and Hospitality

This LOT covers apprenticeship standards that support the development of catering, hospitality and food service skills over the following sub-lots. - Lot 5a - Foundation Apprenticeship - Lot 5b - Catering and Hospitality

Renewal: The Council is setting up a Framework Agreement for the Provision of Apprenticeship Training Services Framework for an initial period of 48 months, with the option to extend for up to a further 24 months at the Council's sole discretion, with the preferred Potential Supplier(s). Please note the Contract Date excluding is 31st December 2030 and including extension is 31st December 2032.

LOT 6 - Education and Early Years

This LOT covers apprenticeship standards that support the development of education, teaching, learning support and early years expertise across the Council and locally maintained schools, over the following sub-lots. - Lot 6a - Early Years - Lot 6b - Schools Pathway - Lot 6c - Undergraduate Teacher - Lot 6d - Postgraduate Teacher - Lot 6e - Sports Coach

Renewal: The Council is setting up a Framework Agreement for the Provision of Apprenticeship Training Services Framework for an initial period of 48 months, with the option to extend for up to a further 24 months at the Council's sole discretion, with the preferred Potential Supplier(s). Please note the Contract Date excluding is 31st December 2030 and including extension is 31st December 2032.

LOT 7 Agriculture and Environmental

This LOT covers apprenticeship standards that support the development of landscaping, horticulture, grounds maintenance and environmental management skills across the Council, over the following sub-lots. - Lot 7a - Agricultural Operative or Technician - Lot 7b - Professional Arborist - Lot 7c - Environmental Practitioner - Lot 7d - Greenkeeping - Lot 7e - Landscape or Horticultural

Renewal: The Council is setting up a Framework Agreement for the Provision of Apprenticeship Training Services Framework for an initial period of 48 months, with the option to extend for up to a further 24 months at the Council's sole discretion, with the preferred Potential Supplier(s). Please note the Contract Date excluding is 31st December 2030 and including extension is 31st December 2032.

LOT 8 - Health and Care

This LOT covers apprenticeship standards that support the development of health, social care and public health skills over the following sub-lots. - Lot 8a - Adult Care Services Foundation Apprenticeship - Lot 8b - Children's Youth - Lot 8c - Children's Youth (Higher Level) - Lot 8d - Adult Care Services - Lot 8e - Early Intervention (Adults and Children's) - Lot 8f - Social Worker Degree Apprenticeship (Adults and Children's) - Lot 8g - Health 1 (Occupational Therapist) - Lot 8h - Health 2 (Public Health Practitioner) - Lot 8i - Health 3 (Speech and Language Therapist) - Lot 8j - Leisure

Renewal: The Council is setting up a Framework Agreement for the Provision of Apprenticeship Training Services Framework for an initial period of 48 months, with the option to extend for up to a further 24 months at the Council's sole discretion, with the preferred Potential Supplier(s). Please note the Contract Date excluding is 31st December 2030 and including extension is 31st December 2032.

LOT 9 - Protective Services

This LOT covers apprenticeship standards that support the development of skills required for protective, community safety and emergency response services over the following sub-lots. - Lot 9a - Health and Safety - Lot 9b - Anti-Social Behaviour - Lot 9c - Emergency Planning - Lot 9d - Regulatory Compliance - Lot 9e - Trading Standards

Renewal: The Council is setting up a Framework Agreement for the Provision of Apprenticeship Training Services Framework for an initial period of 48 months, with the option to extend for up to a further 24 months at the Council's sole discretion, with the preferred Potential Supplier(s). Please note the Contract Date excluding is 31st December 2030 and including extension is 31st December 2032.

LOT 10 Engineering and Manufacturing

This LOT covers apprenticeship standards that support the development of engineering and technical skills over the following sub-lots: - Lot 10a - Asset Management - Lot 10b - Processes

Renewal: The Council is setting up a Framework Agreement for the Provision of Apprenticeship Training Services Framework for an initial period of 48 months, with the option to extend for up to a further 24 months at the Council's sole discretion, with the preferred Potential Supplier(s). Please note the Contract Date excluding is 31st December 2030 and including extension is 31st December 2032.

Planning Information

North Northamptonshire Council invites suitably qualified providers to attend a Preliminary Market Engagement event to help inform the development of the apprenticeship framework and future procurement approach. The session will: • Provide an overview of the proposed framework and service requirements • Outline the anticipated procurement approach and timelines • Seek feedback from the market to help shape the specification • Provide an opportunity for suppliers to ask questions Event details: • Date: Monday 13 July 2026 • Time: 11:30AM - 12:30PM • Location: Online (Microsoft Teams: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/320748313187144?p=iLyuw9984pMmAFCY47) Suppliers wishing to attend are invited to register their interest by emailing Apprenticeships.NCC@northnorthants.gov.uk, including organisation name and attendee details by 10:00 AM Monday 13 July 2026. Participation in this engagement exercise is entirely voluntary and will not advantage or disadvantage any organisation in any future procurement process. This exercise is not a call for competition. A separate procurement process will be conducted in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023 and will be advertised in due course via Council's procurement portal.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06bd32
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/095149-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
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
£2,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£2,000,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
8 Oct 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
9 Nov 20264 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jan 2027 - 30 Dec 2030 3-4 years
Recurrence
2032-09-01

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
North Northamptonshire 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
CORBY
Postcode
NN17 1QG
Postcode Area
Northampton
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLF East Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLF2 Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLF25 North Northamptonshire
Delivery Location
TLF25 North Northamptonshire
Local Authority
North Northamptonshire
Electoral Ward
Corby West
Westminster Constituency
Corby and East Northamptonshire

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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