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Local Employability Flexible Framework

East Renfrewshire Council

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

02 Nov 2026 at 16:36

Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

East Renfrewshire Council sought providers for employability support and training across East Renfrewshire. The flexible framework covers three areas: personalised help for jobseekers facing barriers to work, including mentoring, wellbeing and financial support; vocational and work-related skills training, work experience and relevant certification; and support and work-based training to help people stay in and progress in employment. Training examples include first aid, food hygiene, health and safety, manual handling, forklift operation and construction skills. Services are intended to support people at different stages of the employability pathway, from those furthest from the labour market through to people already in work. Providers may apply for one or more areas. The Council may deliver some services itself, and work depends on funding.

The Council invited tenders through an open procedure for a multi-supplier flexible framework. The tender deadline was 2 December 2026 at 12:00 UTC. The initial contract period is 36 months, with two possible 12-month extensions. Estimated values, including the extensions, are £2.15 million for barrier removal and engagement, £525,000 for vocational and work-related skills, and £1 million for in-work support and training. These are separate lot estimates, not guaranteed awards; framework membership does not guarantee work. Call-offs may be made annually or as needs arise, through mini-competitions or direct awards. Evaluation allocates 40% to price and 60% to quality, covering team, delivery and management, risk, added value, policy, inclusion, community benefits, fair work and carbon footprint. A minimum technical score of 35% and mandatory pass/fail requirements apply.

The opportunity suits organisations with relevant employability, training or employment-support expertise. For barrier-removal work, providers need to understand the obstacles faced by people distant from the labour market, offer personalised interventions for complex needs and show evidence of their impact. Training providers should demonstrate experience in pre-employment and vocational learning, including sector-specific training and work placements; relevant recognised certification and core skills at least to SCQF level 4 are expected for the skills lot. In-work providers need a track record in helping people retain employment and the ability to build effective relationships with employers and resolve workplace difficulties. Bids must name staff and their qualifications. Applicants need sufficient financial standing and must meet the stated turnover requirements; required insurance cover includes employer’s liability, public liability and professional indemnity. Community-benefit delivery and regular progress reporting are part of the requirement. The successful supplier must ensure subcontractors are paid within 30 days.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Local Employability Flexible Framework

Notice Description

East Renfrewshire Council is inviting tenders, from suitably qualified companies to support a wide range of employability programmes. This is a flexible framework that will be re-opened at least annually. The MASTER ITT MUST BE COMPLETED BEFORE MOVING ONTO LOTS YOU WISH TO BID FOR Bidders can apply for one or more lots available. There are no restrictions on how many lots you wish to bid for. A position on the framework does not guarantee work will be awarded. Call-off contracts will be made on both an annual and requirement-by-requirement basis throughout the duration of the framework. Providers who have been awarded positions on the framework will not be formally ranked and call-off contracts will be awarded through either a mini-competition or a direct award. It is expected that mini-competitions may be undertaken where multiple providers can meet the requirement, while direct awards may be undertaken where a single provider can meet the requirement. Ultimately, however, the decision to run either a mini-competition or a direct award is within the sole discretion of the council. The Lots available are subject to securing funding. ERC reserves the option to deliver some of these services in-house

Lot Information

Engagement & Barrier Removal

This Lot aims to support jobseekers from priority groups by addressing employability needs and issues before they become more challenging. These issues can present at various points in people's lives, including when people leave education or when people suddenly become unemployed. Individuals often face multiple barriers to participation such as a lack of education skills and work experience; issues around transport or care/childcare responsibilities; poor mental health and wellbeing and sometimes systemic barriers, like discrimination or bureaucratic obstacles. Interventions and support therefore need to be personalised to each individual. Working in partnership, we are seeking a range of diverse interventions to effectively engage with those furthest from the labour market, supporting individuals with multiple and often complex support needs. Services being procured will include motivation, confidence, personal development, one to one support, mentoring, group work, core skills, health, wellbeing and financial support interventions. It is envisaged that some structured, accredited and project-based activities will also be required. Providers will be required to demonstrate significant levels of understanding and experience in successfully identifying the barriers that affect people's participation in employability support, together with detail around a range of strategies and approaches that they would then employ to help people tackle barriers. Providers should also be able to demonstrate the impact of the support that their work has had on participants. A position on the framework does not guarantee work will be awarded. Call-off contracts will be made on both an annual and requirement-by-requirement basis throughout the duration of the framework. Providers who have been awarded positions on the framework will not be formally ranked and call-off contracts will be awarded through either a mini-competition or a direct award. It is expected that mini-competitions may be undertaken where multiple providers can meet the requirement, while direct awards may be undertaken where a single provider can meet the requirement. Ultimately, however, the decision to run either a mini-competition or a direct award is within the sole discretion of the council. The Lots available are subject to securing funding. ERC reserves the option to deliver some of these services in-house Contract Duration 36 months with a further 2 x 12 months option to extend. Estimated value below includes the contract duration and the 2 x 12 month option to extend Additional information: At the initial opening and each subsequent reopening of this opportunity, all Tenderers must score at least 35% of the total available marks in the technical evaluation. Tenders that fall below this threshold or fail any Mandatory Pass/Fail requirement will be deemed non-compliant and excluded from commercial evaluation.

Renewal: 2 x 12 months option to extend

In-Work Support and Work Based Training

This will cover stage 5 of the Employability Pipeline This Lot reflects the increased need for in-work support to help enable previously unemployed people to sustain and progress in employment once the initial transition has been made. It is also important to recognise that many individuals will enter this activity at Stage 5 of the Employability Pipeline having progressed from previous activities delivered at Lots 1 and 2 of the frameworks. Adequate aftercare is essential for ensuring smooth transitions to new roles as well as integrating into workplace culture. It enhances continued professional development and career progression. The intended outcome for participants is to have support to maintain, develop and thrive in their new roles, leading to long-term job retention and career progression. It will also provide critical feedback for tracking participants' outcomes and successes. Providers will be required to demonstrate a track record of supporting people to retain employment, along with an ability to build meaningful relationship with employers (and the wider workforce), supporting both employers and participants to find creative solutions to difficult work place situations which may arise and be able to detail how these approaches have supported job sustainment. Please ensure that you completed the Master ITT before moving on to completing all envelopes in the Lots you wish to bid for. Failure to complete the Master ITT envelopes or any of the Lot(s) you wish to bid for envelopes will result in the rejection of your submission. Contract award will be offered as a Multi-Supplier Flexible Framework Agreement Estimated Contract Value detailed below includes the 36 month Contract Period and the option to extend for 2 x 12 month periods. Budget could vary and and depending on funding Additional information: At the initial opening and each subsequent reopening of this opportunity, all Tenderers must score at least 35% of the total available marks in the technical evaluation. Tenders that fall below this threshold or fail any Mandatory Pass/Fail requirement will be deemed non-compliant and excluded from commercial evaluation.

Renewal: 2 x 12 months option to extend

Vocational & Work Related Skills

This will cover stages 3 and 4 of the Employability Pipeline The focus of this Lot will be to improve the functional and vocational skills of individuals seeking to enter employment. The activities within this lot will provide a structured approach to training and work experience enabling individuals to gain employability competencies and where relevant occupationally focused certification. This Lot covers the spectrum of activities at Stages 3 and 4 of the Employability Pipeline and will enable a tailored pathway to local labour market opportunities. It is anticipated that the provision in this Lot will enable work experience and where possible industry recognised certification and support a structured pathway to sustainable employment. Job search skills and agreed elements of employer engagement and job brokerage may also be relevant within this Lot. Delivery of industry recognised certificated training in a variety of approaches and settings. This may range from short bite-size interventions, one day courses or longer interventions linked to a programme. Must be delivered across the locality. Examples are: First Aid, Food Hygiene, Health & Safety, Manual Handling, Fork Lift Truck, CSCS etc Delivery of accredited core skills to a minimum of SCQF level 4. Providers will be required to demonstrate a range of experience in delivering pre-employment and vocational training opportunities. This may include those in specific sectors like hospitality, construction and social care etc. Any experience of delivering work experience/placement opportunities should clearly show how these prepare people for work. Please ensure that you completed the Master ITT before moving on to completing all envelopes in the Lots you wish to bid for. Failure to complete the Master ITT envelopes or any of the Lot(s) you wish to bid for envelopes will result in the rejection of your submission. Contract award will be offered as a Multi-Supplier Flexible Framework Agreement Estimated Contract Value detailed below includes the 36 month Contract Period and the option to extend for 2 x 12 month periods. Budget could vary and and depending on funding Additional information: At the initial opening and each subsequent reopening of this opportunity, all Tenderers must score at least 35% of the total available marks in the technical evaluation. Tenders that fall below this threshold or fail any Mandatory Pass/Fail requirement will be deemed non-compliant and excluded from commercial evaluation.

Renewal: 2 x 12 months option to extend

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0795f3
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/103904-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

80000000 - Education and training services

85312310 - Guidance services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
£3,675,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
2 Nov 2026Today
Submission Deadline
2 Dec 20265 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
2 x 12 months option to extend after the original 36 month contract period

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
East Renfrewshire 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
GIFFNOCK
Postcode
G46 6UG
Postcode Area
Glasgow
Country
Scotland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM3 West Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM33 Inverclyde, East Renfrewshire, and Renfrewshire
Delivery Location
TLM83 Inverclyde, East Renfrewshire, and Renfrewshire
Local Authority
East Renfrewshire
Electoral Ward
Giffnock and Thornliebank
Westminster Constituency
East Renfrewshire

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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