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Boosting Apprenticeship Pathways (Employers) (SP43)

North East Combined Authority

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

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21 Oct 2026 at 08:38

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Summary of the contracting process

North East Combined Authority commissioned an employer-focused apprenticeship engagement programme across the North East. The service is intended to increase employers’ understanding of apprenticeship pathways, funding, incentives and support, and build confidence in recruiting and developing apprentices. It also aims to strengthen links between employers, schools, colleges and apprenticeship providers, and increase the number of employers offering apprenticeship opportunities. The work includes engaging at least 25 employers in North East Ambition programmes involving targeted schools, colleges and young people. Delivery covers the North East, including the North East region and Tees Valley. The requirement combines employer engagement and communications with education and training support.

The procurement is complete and the contract was awarded to SDN Mesma Group Ltd. The contract was signed on 20 October 2026, with an award value of £24,950 including gross value, for a period from 21 October 2026 to 31 July 2027. The authority used a direct award below the applicable threshold, without competition. The requirement was treated as one lot. The contractor must provide monthly monitoring returns, hold termly review meetings and report employer engagement and feedback, as well as the number of apprenticeship vacancies secured through the project. It must also produce an interim report in January or February 2027 and a final impact report in July or August 2027. The procurement data does not state an evaluation basis beyond the direct award route.

This award shows demand from North East Combined Authority for practical employer engagement that turns apprenticeship awareness into recruitment opportunities. A credible competitor for a similar requirement would need to explain apprenticeship pathways, funding and employer support clearly, build employers’ confidence to recruit, and connect businesses with schools, colleges and apprenticeship providers. The programme also requires the ability to engage employers in North East Ambition activity with targeted young people, and to track engagement, feedback and vacancies secured. Suppliers should be able to maintain regular monitoring and review arrangements and produce evidence-based interim and final impact reporting. The scope suits a provider combining apprenticeship knowledge, employer-facing communications and education-sector relationship management, with sufficient capacity to work across the North East and demonstrate measurable outcomes.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Boosting Apprenticeship Pathways (Employers) (SP43)

Notice Description

o increase employer participation in apprenticeship programmes by raising awareness of apprenticeship opportunities, funding and support mechanisms, and by encouraging employers to recruit and develop apprentices. In addition, a minimum of 25 employers engaged with North East Ambition programmes with targeted schools, colleges and young people. The programme will: * Increase employer understanding of apprenticeship pathways. * Improve awareness of apprenticeship funding, incentives and support. * Increase employer confidence in recruiting apprentices. * Strengthen connections between employers, schools and apprenticeship providers. * Increase the number of employers offering apprenticeship opportunities. * Engage a minimum of 25 employers in North East Ambition programmes with targeted schools, colleges and young people. The contractor will provide: * Monthly monitoring returns. * Termly review meetings. * Employer engagement and feedback data. * Number of apprenticeship vacancies secured (as part of this project) * Interim report (January/February 2027). * Final impact report (July/August 2027).

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-078c5e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/099239-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - without competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

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

80 - Education and training services

CPV Codes

73200000 - Research and development consultancy services

79340000 - Advertising and marketing services

80000000 - Education and training services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£24,950 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
21 Oct 20266 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
21 Oct 2026 - 31 Jul 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
North East Combined Authority
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
Postcode
NE4 5BZ
Postcode Area
Newcastle upon Tyne
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC43 Tyneside
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Newcastle upon Tyne
Electoral Ward
Arthur's Hill
Westminster Constituency
Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

SDN Enterprises Ltd

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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