Digital Skills Framework

Tender description

We want to let you know that the Combined Authorities’ Commercial team will be holding a market engagement event regarding the development of a multi-supplier framework that will deliver a range of digital training under the Skills Connect programme. The aims of the Multi-Supplier Framework will be; · To deliver non-accredited, employer endorsed digital training across the West Yorkshire region. · To address the skills gaps and needs of employers within the region and, in doing so, secure robust career progression for course participants. · To ensure that the training is fully inclusive and accessible and champions equality and diversity within the region. The market engagement event will take place at 1pm on Friday 13th May via Teams Live and will provide an overview of the tendering process and information on the scope of delivery. Lot 1: Specific Digital Courses Lot 1 – Specific Digital Courses These courses will be aimed at providing participants with a clear pathway to a specific career within the Digital sector. High level, specific and technical digital skills remain crucial to the West Yorkshire economy. Within this lot the CA is looking to procure specialist providers who can deliver training for specific skills within the digital sector, including complex analytical skills, advanced IT skills and job specific skills and knowledge. The skills that employers find most difficult to obtain from applicants are principally specialist, job-specific digital skills which hinder firm level productivity and wider economic growth. Lot 2: Broad Digital Courses Lot 2 – Broad Digital Courses These courses have the aim of providing participants with an introduction to digital courses and / or applying digital skills to different sectors. Digital roles and roles with a digital focus are featured among those in greatest current demand in 2021/22 according to available job postings. Software development roles enjoyed strong recruitment demand throughout and following the pandemic period. The high requirement for software development skills reflects a widespread need for programming skills in related roles and other sectors. Looking beyond conventional digital specialists, digital skills are now central to a number of functional areas including marketing, social media, design and analysis. Across this spectrum, social media, CRM and data analytics exhibit the strongest demand from employers. Digital skills are continuing to be important to the economy and to individual employability. The need for digital skills for the workplace and to support sectors outside of the traditional digital sector, is becoming an almost universal requirement.