Pipeline Framework: Grant for Apprenticeships support for smaller employers through LEPs/Intermediaries

A pipeline has been launched for Grant for Apprenticeships support for smaller employers through LEPs/Intermediaries.The contract start Date is 28 October 2019. Approach to market date is 25 September 2019.Apprenticeships are a key feature of the Government’s educational policy, with specific ambitions to improve quality and ensure all employers offering apprenticeships are onboarded onto the Apprenticeship Service – be they levy paying or otherwise. As part of the ESFA’s approach, we are keen to reach smaller and non-levy paying employers and support them to access high-quality apprenticeships and the Apprenticeship Service. Intermediaries, including Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), have a significant role to play in helping Government achieve these goals through using their existing employer networks and understanding of local skills needs. Intermediaries are defined as those organisations that are Professional Bodies, Membership Organisations, LEPs and other organisations who we deem as having influence over employers. By working through them, a one-to-many approach can be achieved in engaging smaller employers – providing value for money while also maximising reach. The ESFA is looking for a delivery organisation who will provide support to LEPs and other intermediaries to facilitate their engagement with smaller and non-levy employers about apprenticeships. In particular we are looking for the following outcomes to be achieved for Intermediary organisations and LEPs: 1. Overall: a) that they are supported and well-equipped to engage with smaller employers on apprenticeship delivery; b) that they are supported to deliver activity to encourage participation of their smaller employers in apprenticeships agenda and make them aware of the transition to using the Apprenticeship Service and are supported; c) that their networks of smaller employers are aware of the transition to using the Apprenticeship Service 2. Onboarding: Intermediary organisations and LEPs, understand the requirement for smaller employers to go onto the Apprenticeship Service and disseminate relevant messages to their membership, and are supported to deliver activities with their employer membership which lead to: a) raised awareness about these requirements with their smaller employer membership/networks; b) improved understanding by smaller employers of the benefits of onboarding and what they will need to do; and c) solutions to help smaller employers to overcome potential barriers to onboarding. 3. Volume/Quality: Intermediary organisations and LEPs disseminate relevant messages to their membership and are supported to deliver activities with their employer membership in their region/sector which lead to: a) increased growth in local apprenticeships being delivered by smaller employers; and b) improvements in quality (e.g. through ensuring apprenticeships meet government guidance and are delivered through new standards rather than frameworks).This is a potential opportunity from the government, and the pipeline gives advance notice of an opportunity that might be offered by the public sector in the future – allowing potential suppliers to plan accordingly. When a public sector organisation publishes a pipeline notice, it does not necessarily mean that an opportunity will be offered in the future.For more information contact: Department for Education, Cheylesmore House, Quinton Road, Coventry CV1 2WT. Email: ESFAProcurement.HELP@education.gov.uk