---
title: "Nuclear Sponsorships Scheme"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0566fc"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0566fc"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0566fc.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0566fc.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE"
published: "2025-09-02"
---

# Nuclear Sponsorships Scheme

Buyer: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0566fc

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0566fc)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0566fc.json)

## Summary

The Ministry of Defence, headquartered in Bristol, has successfully completed the procurement process for the 'Nuclear Sponsorship Scheme.' This scheme, aimed at enhancing skilled professionals within the nuclear sector, is classified under the higher education services industry. The direct award was made to Cogent Skills Services Ltd, a small to medium-sized enterprise based in Warrington. The procurement process was executed through a direct award method, with the contracts signed on 18th August 2025, and will conclude on 31st March 2028. The initiative aligns with the legal framework of the UK Public General Act 2023/54, providing significant education and training services within the UK.

This procurement creates substantial opportunities for businesses engaged in education and training services, particularly those specialising in STEM disciplines. Companies capable of contributing to enhancing social mobility through skill development and education support would find this project highly suitable. SMEs in the education sector stand to benefit significantly, especially those positioned to provide comprehensive training services that fulfil the critical workforce requirements of the nuclear sector. The strategic partnership with the Ministry of Defence could open further opportunities within government contracts, fostering long-term business growth.

## Notice

The Nuclear Sponsorship Scheme is designed to address the pressing need for skilled professionals within the nuclear sector, encompassing both civil and defence applications. Recognising the significant demand for degree-educated individuals in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) disciplines, and the current under-representation among those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, this initiative aims to foster social mobility while fulfilling critical workforce requirements. This is through offering comprehensive support, including full funding for tuition fees, summer placements, additional bursaries, and support for job placement upon degree completion. Due to Cohort 1 already being on contract, and in Year 1 of their scheme, it is imperative to ensure continuity of funding and provision for Year 2 and Year 3 of Cohort 1's scheme. Due to the academic timetable, Marketing and Attraction has already been contracted, via a TAF on a previous contract, for getting students onto Cohort 2. As such, remaining with Cogent Skills Services Ltd is the only solution for the Cohort 1 and 2 students to use this scheme. The Cohort 3 contract will be competitively procured.

### Procurement Information

Due to Cohort 1 already being on contract, and in Year 1 of their scheme, it is imperative to ensure continuity of funding and provision for Year 2 and Year 3 of Cohort 1's scheme. Due to the academic timetable, Marketing and Attraction has already been contracted, via a TAF on a previous contract, for getting students onto Cohort 2. As such, remaining with Cogent Skills Services Ltd is the only solution for the Cohort 1 and 2 students to use this scheme. The Cohort 3 contract will be competitively procured.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/053095-2025 |
| Notice type | UK7 - Contract Details Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Direct award |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 2 Sep 2025 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 28 Jul 2025 |
| Contract period | 17 Aug 2025 - 31 Mar 2028 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £3,113,000 |
| Contracts value | £3,113,000 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | MINISTRY OF DEFENCE |
| Locality | BRISTOL |
| Post town | Bristol |
| Postcode | BS34 8JH |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLK5 West of England |
| ITL 3 | TLK52 Bath & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire |
| Local authority | South Gloucestershire |
| Electoral ward | Stoke Park & Cheswick |
| Westminster constituency | Filton and Bradley Stoke |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | COGENT SKILLS SERVICES |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 80 - Education and training services

### Codes

- 80000000 - Education and training services
- 80300000 - Higher education services

## Release History

- 2 Sep 2025 at 10:51 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/053095-2025
- 29 Jul 2025 at 07:56 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/043681-2025
- 28 Jul 2025 at 11:24 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/043421-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/053095-2025
  2nd September 2025 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/043681-2025
  29th July 2025 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/043421-2025
  28th July 2025 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## 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-h6vhtk-0566fc. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0566fc.json.
