Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for Skills Programmes

The Adult Education Budget (AEB) for the West Midlands constituent member area was devolved to WMCA for delivery from 1st August 2019. In 2022 additional skills funding has been delegated from the Department of Education (DfE) to the WMCA. This funding comprises of ‘Free Courses For Jobs’ and ‘Technical Bootcamp’ funding.

We will also be receiving funding to deliver the Government’s ‘Multiply’ programme – an adult numeracy maths focussed programme funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and in two years’ time we will be commissioning the ‘People and Skills’ element of UKSPF as European Social Fund (ESF) ends again, providing the ability to join up the skills and training offer, reduce duplication and make sure we are reaching those communities most disadvantaged.

The DPS will also be utilised to procure service providers for non-funded/ funded (devolved funding or other funding streams) Adult Skills Programmes.

exercises

The outsourcing exercises will be targeted at securing packages of provision that will include but not be limited to (1) getting residents into employment; (2) up skilling and re skilling residents to respond to the regional economy; (3) creating a good basic education offer up to level 2, including adult numeracy provision, capable of progressing residents to a vocational level 2 (or above) and increase numeracy skills; (4) support our communities by having a community based training offer that engages disadvantaged communities; and (5) provide any other adult skills packages required for the benefit of the West Midlands region.

WMCA is proposing to launch a dynamic purchasing system (DPS) for a duration of up to 10 years with a value of approximately £200million, but the range may be subject to change during the course of the DPS.

This PIN is to allow WMCA to undertake market engagement in preparation for the procurement process anticipated to commence in July 2022.