Research and development services and related consultancy services

Tender description

The rural and remote areas of Scotland face significant challenges in retaining and developing the skills required for robust and resilient economies. Challenges arising from geography and connectivity can make it hard enough to find appropriate mainstream learning opportunities. It is even harder to uncover training that whilst perhaps not certificated by an academic institution nevertheless offers exactly the right content. This is particularly true when what’s needed to observe and learn from the experience of others [for example, lambing, digital marketing, dry staning, or fence repair]. Accessibility and social factors can also present a barrier: individuals might lack confidence, feel isolated, or worry about being in a group of ‘all young people’ or ‘all men’. Or conventional ‘through the week’ courses do not fit with family and work responsibilities. Accreditation is essential for some training, particularly where there is a legislative requirement, [for example chainsaw training]. Other training may be an over-complicated way to get a quality mark. However, there is a need for some way to verify or endorse course content and deliverer. So how can technology help develop a skills sharing system that encourages people to engage, and those with expertise to share their skills, in rural and remote locations? Please visit our website for information on CivTech and how to get involved https://www.civtechalliance.org/civtech-innovation-flow About CivTech CivTech brings together public sector expertise and private sector innovation to solve real problems, develop new products and deliver better, faster and easier services for everyone. Central to the approach is co-production with the citizen. Part of the Scottish Government’s Digital Directorate, CivTech’s approach is helping transform public sector engagement with tech and innovation, delivering significant benefits to public services, producing genuine uplifts for the Scottish economy — and along the way, making lives better. Across the country there are problems public sector organisations would like to solve and in the current environment the need for smart, efficient and effective products has never been greater. The Scottish Government is aware innovation is a good way to create them and is committed to ensuring a large part of its tech spend goes to smaller, innovative businesses. This is where CivTech comes in. The CivTech Innovation Flow is designed to create solutions to public sector problems as quickly and effectively as possible. For you – whether you’re an individual, team or company – it’s an opportunity to take a Challenge, solve it, and win contracts with a blue-chip public sector organisation. You’ll build a product, and a business to take it as far as possible. Because here’s the kicker: the Challenges we issue aren’t ‘single organisation’ problems – most exist worldwide. In short: open Challenges are set. Any organisation, team or individual can respond to them. Applications are assessed and shortlisted proposals go into an exploration stage where they’re developed further. The best go through to the accelerator – a period of intensive work to create the solution, and through CivTech’s unique business workshop system, a business capable of taking the emerging product to the world. Please visit our website for information on CivTech and how to get involved https://www.civtechalliance.org/civtech-innovation-flow