Tender

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

Apprentice Worker Agency

NORTHUMBRIAN WATER LIMITED

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

29 Sep 2026 at 10:13

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

25 Sep 2026 at 14:34

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Northumbrian Water Limited is seeking an apprenticeship agency service for Northumbrian Water and Essex & Suffolk Water. The supplier will employ apprentices on the group’s behalf and handle employment contracts, payroll and statutory payments, HR administration, employment records, compliance, welfare support, progress reviews and reporting. The service also includes onboarding and mobilisation, liaison with training providers, and support for apprentices and managers. Its purpose is to provide a compliant employment service, support apprentice retention and successful programme completion, and help develop future talent. Delivery is across the group’s North East and Essex & Suffolk operating areas. This is a human resources and personnel supply service, including apprentice employment and administration.

The buyer invited offers through a competitive flexible procedure with a staged selection process. Expressions of interest were due by 28 October 2026 at 23:59, and conditions of participation by 2 November 2026 at 14:00; proposals were scheduled to close on 17 December 2026. The single lot has an estimated value of £24,479,974.98 excluding VAT (£29,375,969.98 including VAT). The initial contract period runs from 1 June 2027 to 31 May 2029, with possible extensions to 31 May 2035 if service levels and supplier performance are sufficient. Price accounts for 60% of evaluation (55% commission and 5% apprentice landing fee), and quality for 40%. Up to four suppliers scoring at least 60% at the participation stage progress to proposal stage.

The requirement suits suppliers with established apprenticeship agency or workforce services, strong knowledge of apprenticeship funding rules and employment legislation, and the capacity to act as employer for apprentices across multiple operating areas. Suppliers need dependable payroll and statutory payment processes, employment and HR administration, employee relations expertise, and systems for accurate management information and performance reporting. The service also calls for effective apprentice welfare and retention support, regular progress monitoring, onboarding capability, and collaborative working with an early careers team, hiring managers and training providers. The indicative workforce plan anticipates around 72–77 apprentices in the first programme year and 77 in each following year, across an eight-year planning horizon; actual recruitment will depend on organisational needs and budgets. Small and medium-sized businesses and voluntary, community or social enterprises are identified as suitable to compete.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Apprentice Worker Agency

Notice Description

Northumbrian Water Group (NWL) is committed to developing future talent through a high-quality apprenticeship programme which supports workforce planning, succession management and skills development across the organisation. We require a supplier to provide Apprenticeship Agency Services across both Northumbrian Water and Essex & Suffolk Water. The supplier will act as the employer of apprentices on behalf of NWL and provide employment, payroll, HR administration, compliance and apprentice support services throughout the duration of the apprenticeship programme. The successful supplier will work collaboratively with NWL's Early Careers Team, hiring managers and training providers to ensure apprentices receive a positive experience and are supported to successfully complete their programmes. Service Requirements The supplier will be required to: * Employ apprentices on behalf of NWL through an apprenticeship agency model. * Issue and maintain employment contracts and associated employment documentation. * Undertake payroll administration and statutory payments. * Manage apprentice employment records. * Provide HR guidance and employee relations support relating to apprentices. * Ensure compliance with apprenticeship funding rules and employment legislation. * Support apprentice wellbeing and welfare. * Conduct regular reviews and progress monitoring with apprentices. * Liaise with apprenticeship training providers where required. * Provide management information and performance reporting. * Support mobilisation and onboarding of new apprentices. * Deliver services across both the Northeast and Essex & Suffolk operating areas. The supplier must demonstrate excellent customer service, strong apprenticeship sector knowledge and the ability to support the continued growth of NWL's apprenticeship programme. Objectives The objectives of this contract are to: * Provide a compliant and effective apprenticeship employment service. * Deliver a positive apprentice experience. * Support apprentice retention and successful completion rates. * Ensure consistent support for apprentices and managers. * Provide accurate and timely payroll and administration services. * Deliver robust reporting and management information. * Support NWL's commitment to early careers and future talent development. INDICATIVE APPRENTICE NUMBERS FROM 2027 The indicative apprentice numbers set out in the table below are based on the workforce planning volumes agreed for 2026 and are provided to give potential suppliers an indication of the anticipated scale of apprenticeship delivery. These figures are estimates only and do not represent a commitment or guarantee of recruitment. The actual number of apprentices employed and enrolled onto apprenticeship programmes will be determined by organisational requirements, workforce planning priorities, budget availability and prevailing business needs. Consequently, the final volumes may be higher or lower than those indicated. yr 1 1st June 27 - 31st May 28 72-77 yr2 1st June 28 - 31st May 29 77 yr3 1st June 29 - 31st May 30 77 yr4 1st June 30 - 31st May 31 77 yr5 1st June 31 - 31st May 32 77 yr6 1st June 32 - 31st May 33 77 yr7 1st June 33 - 31st May 34 77 yr8 1st June 34 - 31st May 35 77 A full scope document has been made available within this FTS

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: If SLA's are maintained and vendor performance sufficient then extensions will be offered

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-077ab6
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/091685-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
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

79414000 - Human resources management consultancy services

79620000 - Supply services of personnel including temporary staff

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£24,479,974 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£24,479,974 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
29 Sep 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jun 2027 - 31 May 2029 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NORTHUMBRIAN WATER 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
PITY ME
Postcode
DH1 5FJ
Postcode Area
Durham
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC41 Durham
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England), TLE2 North Yorkshire, TLH14 Suffolk CC, TLH3 Essex
Local Authority
County Durham
Electoral Ward
Framwellgate & Newton Hall
Westminster Constituency
City of Durham

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.

Loading OCDS record...