Administration services

Tender description

The department is looking to engage a provider/s to be a national delivery partner to deliver the Taking Teaching Further (TTF) expansion, to support FE providers in recruiting industry professionals to teach in the further education sector. TTF is currently managed by one supplier (under a grant agreement). The service requirements include, but are not limited to administration of funding, general administration, evaluation, market development, marketing and end to end programme management. TTF aims Given the wider economic importance of FE in raising skills levels and providing a passport to opportunity for young people and adults – particularly through the successful delivery of T Levels and apprenticeships – we need sufficient numbers of highly skilled teachers in place to deliver high quality, work relevant skills training. But there is also a very real need for those teachers to possess industry expertise and excellent teaching skills. This is paramount for delivering first-rate technical teaching. Outline requirement The aim of TTF is to increase the number of highly skilled teachers in place to deliver high quality, work relevant skills training by supporting FE providers to recruit and retain experienced industry professionals. TTF seeks to do this by funding FE providers to recruit industry professionals to retrain as teachers. DFE is looking to appoint a delivery partner to support with the grant management process, including managing applications, evaluating and awarding submissions, gathering feedback, arranging payments, monitoring and supporting the programme and subsequent evaluation of learning. Current provision The Education and Training Foundation (ETF) have delivered this programme through three pilot rounds, from 2018/19 to 2020/21. For further information, please see the ETF website. https://www.et-foundation.co.uk/supporting/support-teacher-recruitment/taking-teaching-further/ Planned TTF Expansion Given the current shortage of FE teachers, we are developing proposals to expand the initiative. Rounds 1 and 2 offered places for 150 teachers, and round 3 will make 550 places available. The extent and profile of this initiative beyond 2020-21, is yet to be confirmed, but based on current information, we anticipate growth of 1 000 places in the first year and up to 4 000 in the third year of the contract. Market engagement We would like to engage with organisations that have delivered similar funding programmes. DFE invites suggestions and feedback on the proposed content and structure of the programme from the market, including industry experts, specialists and suppliers. To discuss further, please email: FE.profession@education.gov.uk with any suggestions and/or feedback in your email, along with the following details: 1) organisation name, 2) contact name, 3) job title of contact (including responsibility within your organisation), 4) contact phone number, 5) contact email, 6) organisation website link. DFE are also hosting a market engagement event which will take place on: Date: 8 April 2020 Location: the market engagement event will be conducted online. If you wish to participate in the event please email: FE.profession@education.gov.uk subject heading: ‘TTF Market Engagement Event.’ Including the name of your organisation and the names of proposed attendees, the time slots will be allocated on a first come first served basis, final confirmation accepted by Wednesday 1 April 2020. and appointment details will be emailed to you by Thursday 2 April 2020 at the latest.