Education and training services

Tender description

The Authority is seeking to select Contractors to deliver part of, or all of, the Apprenticeship qualifications covered by Lot #1 to Lot #7, and the Provision of Business Support Services to the Army Apprenticeship Team in Lot #8. Contract duration for Lots 1 to 7 will be 4 years, and 5 years for Lot 8 (subject to continued provision of Apprenticeship Levy or ESFA funding). The methodology and location for delivery of each of Apprenticeship Lot varies according to the requirements of each Arm or Service. In general, delivery commences during a soldier's Phase 2 Trade Training, and continues into their service in the Field Army. Only suppliers registered on the DfE Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers are eligible to deliver the requirements of Lots 1 to 7 and suppliers must be listed on the DfE Register by 1.4.2018 to commence transition to contract delivery for these Lots. Depending upon Career Employment Group, REME Soldiers undertake L3 apprenticeships in Eng Manufacture (Eng Tech Support; Eng Maintenance; Aeronautical Eng and Fabrication and Welding); Logistics Ops. Delivery commences during Phase 2 training (Ph2 trg) at Defence School of Electronic and Mechanical Engineering, and continues into Field Army service. In addition to Technical knowledge components of apprenticeships, Ph2 Trg may include opportunities for a Contractor to assess competence components. Time is allocated for delivery of Functional Skills but delivery of this may have to be completed during Field Unit service. Delivery in the field can be structured as formal courses, or informally in evenings / spare time. After Ph2 trg REME soldiers may be posted to units in UK or overseas, where assessment opportunities may exist. In 2017/18, estimated delivery of apprenticeships based upon a profile of 650-700 x L3 starts and average total occupancy of approx. 2250. The Royal Regiment of Artillery, comprising Royal Artillery (RA) and Royal Horse Artillery (RHA), consists of Regular Army Regiments based in UK & Germany. Depending upon their trade specialisation, learners undertake first apprenticeship programmes in Communications Technologies (L2); Driving Goods Vehicles (L2); Aviation Operations (Avn Ops) on the Ground (L2); Horse Care (L2). Progression apprenticeships may be offered in Comms Technologies (L3 and L4); Avn Ops on the Ground (L3); Horse Care (L3); and Logistics Ops Management (L3). New apprenticeship standards in similar areas will be adopted during this contract. Most delivery commences at the School of Artillery, Larkhill; but some learners are inducted from the Field Army. All apprenticeships are completed in Field Army units. In 2017/18, the estimated delivery of apprenticeships is based upon a profile of 500—600 starts and average total occupancy of approx. 1000. RE comprises a number of units based in UK & Germany. Soldiers commence apprenticeships during Ph2 trg and complete them in Field Army units. Ph2A trg takes place at Minley, and consists of Functional Skills and Combat Engineering trg. Ph2B trg consists of trade trg at Minley (Signals/Telecomms), Deepcut (Warehousing & Storage), Leconfield (Driving), Bovington (Armoured), Chatham (all other trades). Depending on specialism, soldiers undertake a L2 apprenticeship in Construction (Wood Occupations, Trowel Occupations, Plumbing / Heating & Building Maintenance); Construction Civil Eng — Plant Operations; Eng Manufacture (Fabrication / Welding); Eng Maintenance & Installation; IT & Telecomms Professional; or Warehousing & Storage. Progression apprenticeships may be offered at L3 for Telecomms specialists. In 2017/18, apprenticeship delivery is based upon a profile of 600-700 starts, and average total occupancy of approx. 850. The Defence Food Services School (DFSS) is located in Hampshire. All learners are inducted onto apprenticeships whilst in training at DFSS, where Functional Skills and Technical Certificates relevant to existing apprenticeship frameworks are delivered. Competence requirements of these frameworks are delivered in the Field Army by qualified military chef assessors, supported by a network of qualified military IVs at locations in UK and overseas. The following are currently delivered to Professional Chefs of the Royal Logistic Corps: Professional Cookery L2; Customer Service L2; Hospitality, Supervision & Leadership L3. New apprentices will enrol on the following new standards: Commis Chef L2 or Production Chef L2; Hospitality Supervisor L3. Opportunities may arise to enrol some apprentices on the L4 Hospitality Manager in future. In 2017/18, estimated delivery of apprenticeships is based upon a profile of 100 starts and an average total occupancy of approx. 175. Infantry soldiers undertake a Level 2 Apprenticeship in Public Service, starting during Phase 2 training (the Combat Infantryman's course) at the School of Infantry at Catterick, North Yorkshire. Elements of the apprenticeship are delivered and assessed in the Field Army. There are Infantry Battalions stationed throughout the UK, Germany and Cyprus. The current Apprenticeship in Public Service framework will be replaced, in late 17, by the HM Forces Service-person, a new standard that has been developed for specialist infantrymen in HM Forces. In 2017/18, the estimated delivery of apprenticeships is based upon a profile of 2000—2500 starts and an average occupancy of approx. 3000. The Army Air Corps are based in units across the UK. Soldiers are inducted onto their Apprenticeship programmes during Phase 2 training at Middle Wallop in Hampshire. Depending on trade specialisation, learners undertake advanced apprenticeship programmes in Aviation Operations on the Ground; and Telecommunications. Delivery of functional skills is currently via structured courses run in various locations in the UK. All Apprenticeships are completed in the Field Army units. The current frameworks will be replaced by Aviation Ground Specialist and Unified Communications Technician. In 2017/18, the estimated delivery of apprenticeships is based upon a profile of 120 starts and an average occupancy of approx. 350. Soldiers of the Adjutant General's Corps (Staff and Personnel Support) (AGC SPS) undertake an Advanced Apprenticeship in Business Administration. Also included in this contract is the requirement to deliver an Advanced Apprenticeship in Business Administration to servicemen and women of the Royal Air Force's Administration Branch. All learners are enrolled onto programme at Worthy Down (near Winchester). Functional Skills and Technical Certificates are delivered at Worthy Down during the Phase 2 training. All apprenticeships are completed in Field Army units. It is anticipated that soldiers will begin to enrol on the new Business Administrator apprenticeship standard over the course of this contract. In 2017/18, the estimated delivery of apprenticeships is based upon a profile of 280 starts and an average occupancy of approx. 350. The Contractor plays an integral part in the day-to-day management of the Authority’s Army Apprenticeship programme and associated quality management processes. They assist in monitoring quality of apprenticeship training services provided by appointed Training Delivery contractors, ensuring that progress of learners is correctly-recorded on MI systems. They assist in overseeing release of ESFA funding to training providers following verification that claims for payment are valid/appropriate, to underpin ESFA governance arrangements that monitor performance of contractors appointed to deliver training for individual apprenticeships. As an apprenticeship Subject-Matter-Expert, they advise on relevance /applicability of ESFA regulations and associated implications for Army Apprenticeships, undertaking financial modelling as required. They assist in development of specifications for contracts relating to delivery of Apprenticeships.