Contract for United Kingdom Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) E38 Addressing Skills Needs for Employment

The council is looking to procure one lead bidder on behalf of a partnership, to lead, monitor, manage and deliver a programme of localised skills support (Referred to as Lead Partner hereafter). The contract is to support individuals who are experiencing skills barriers to access employment opportunities in sectors that are identified locally as having skills/recruitment needs.

Experience shows such opportunities fit well with a partnership model where one provider has the experience and infrastructure to lead a range of other organisations, ensuring the project has good geographical and subject coverage.

Provision should target individuals who reside in areas impacted by increased levels of deprivation and/or rural isolation with emphasis on those nearest the labour market. Intelligence of the social and economic barriers that affect County Durham residents must be utilised to deliver skills support programmes as well as access to integrated support for individuals in these localities.

Provision should not duplicate mainstream funded activity available to this cohort. Examples would include but are not limited to, Government programmes such as 'Skills Bootcamps' in sectors that are available in County Durham. Support should be supplemented by life and basic skills delivered through existing provision, such as Adult Education Budget, Multiply etc.