---
title: "SWAP Consortium"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-b7c123bc-b162-4b6a-9643-ee2e0c04216a"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-b7c123bc-b162-4b6a-9643-ee2e0c04216a"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-b7c123bc-b162-4b6a-9643-ee2e0c04216a.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-b7c123bc-b162-4b6a-9643-ee2e0c04216a.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "WEST MIDLANDS COMBINED AUTHORITY"
published: "2022-01-31"
---

# SWAP Consortium

Buyer: WEST MIDLANDS COMBINED AUTHORITY  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-b7c123bc-b162-4b6a-9643-ee2e0c04216a

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## Summary

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is seeking to appoint a lead organisation for the Sector-Based Work Academy Programmes (SWAP) through a selective tender process. This initiative aims to provide funding for adult skills training for residents aged 19 and over across the West Midlands, including areas such as Birmingham and Coventry. The successful bidder will develop a SWAP consortium to enhance employment opportunities within the region, supported by a total investment of up to £9 million over three years. The tender period concluded on 16th August 2021, with the contract set to commence on 3rd October 2021 and continue until 2nd October 2024. The industry category for this procurement process is Education and Training Services.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses focused on training and employment services, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that specialise in adult education and workforce development. Companies with expertise in creating tailored training programmes and strong connections with local employers will be especially well-positioned to compete. Participation in the SWAP consortium can enhance business visibility, foster partnerships with the WMCA, and facilitate growth in delivering essential skills programmes that respond to the demand for employment support in the West Midlands.

## Notice

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) became responsible for the Adult Education Budget (AEB) for its residents from 1st August 2019. Devolved AEB provides funding for adult skills delivery, for residents (aged 19 and over) of the West Midlands' seven constituent areas (Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton).As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic the Universal Credit (UC) claimant rate continues to rise across the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) area, this is against a backdrop of an already high unemployment rate in the West Midlands compared to other regions. To respond to the pandemic, the WMCA is planning to increase its investment in Sector Based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs) to support both its residents back into work and employers in using SWAP as a recruitment solution.SWAP is a DWP (The Department for Work and Pensions) defined programme that the WMCA funds and delivers through its AEB funding. At present the WMCA invests in SWAP via its current provider base including colleges and local authorities through grant, and through Lot 1 Independent Training Providers (ITP's) contract for services.SWAP programmes are short sharp programmes lasting no longer that 6-weeks for unemployed individuals. The SWAP programme is developed around the job vacancy/vacancies provided by the employer, and the individual will receive occupational specific pre-employment training, work experience and a guaranteed interview at the end of the training for an actual vacancy.Through this tender exercise the WMCA is seeking to appoint a SWAP Lead organisation to develop a SWAP consortium of providers who will deliver the provision across the area for WMCA residents in line with our SWAP ambition. The SWAP Lead will develop a service where its provider members will bring forward applications, underpinned by agreement with the employer, setting out a training plan and the number of the jobs available delivering a job outcome rate of a minimum 65% at 13 weeks.The WMCA will make available PS3m on annual basis over a 3-year period which means that the total investment is up to PS9m. Contracts will be extended on annual basis subject to performance. Further in-year investment in the SWAP Consortium could take place based on performance. There is a virtual Q/A Session scheduled for 3pm, Tuesday 22nd June, see the PQQ Letter for more details.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/a4c7b31c-a8a9-4caa-bffc-deadcb7835bf |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Selective |
| Procurement method details | Competitive dialogue (above threshold) |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 31 Jan 2022 |
| Submission deadline | 16 Aug 2021 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 2 Oct 2021 |
| Contract period | 2 Oct 2021 - 2 Oct 2024 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £9,000,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £9,000,000 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | WEST MIDLANDS COMBINED AUTHORITY |
| Locality | BIRMINGHAM |
| Post town | Birmingham |
| Postcode | B19 3SD |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLG West Midlands (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLG3 West Midlands |
| ITL 3 | TLG31 Birmingham |
| Local authority | Birmingham |
| Electoral ward | Newtown |
| Westminster constituency | Birmingham Ladywood |
| Delivery location | TLG West Midlands (England) |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | BCTG |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 80 - Education and training services

### Codes

- 80000000 - Education and training services

## Release History

- 31 Jan 2022 at 09:53 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/a4c7b31c-a8a9-4caa-bffc-deadcb7835bf

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/a4c7b31c-a8a9-4caa-bffc-deadcb7835bf
  31st January 2022 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-b7c123bc-b162-4b6a-9643-ee2e0c04216a. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-b7c123bc-b162-4b6a-9643-ee2e0c04216a.json.