Specialist Upskilling Courses

Tender description

The Combined Authority is seeking to contract with multiple providers to deliver Skills Connect courses to upskill individuals, with course delivery up to 30th September 2024. Progression tracking will end 31st March 2025. The aim of Skills Connect is to support individuals into new roles, new or enhanced self-employment opportunities, or take on additional responsibilities in their existing role, and providers will be paid based on evidence of participant starts, completions and progressions. Funded by Gainshare, the activity must add value to national & local policy and not duplicate or undermine delivery already being undertaken by other funded provision. Skills Connect courses should be complementary to existing provision, including digital offers under AEB funding. As this training is to be delivered at Level 3 and above, AEB provision may act as a stepping stone onto a Skills Connect course, with the aim of an individual progressing into employment. Learning needs to be delivered at a level and length where individuals can progress based on the course content. The provider will need to evidence the rationale of content and length of their proposed training course based on expected progression. Bidders are asked to consider innovative and new delivery methods which meet the needs of individuals and businesses and are encouraged to refer to this scope in their bid. Lot 85008: Enhancing Workplace Diversity and Recruitment Practices for Employers As West Yorkshire becomes increasingly diverse, as do workplaces. In line with that, recent economic circumstances coupled with changes in lifestyle mean that a rising number of individuals are looking to enter or re-enter the workforce, but lack the confidence, labour market knowledge and soft skills to do so. We believe that the above outlined courses would guide employers in supporting and retaining their staff. Lot 85616: Supporting Individuals from Underrepresented Groups into Employment Recent economic circumstances coupled with changes in lifestyle mean that a rising number of individuals are looking to enter or re-enter the workforce, but lack the confidence, labour market knowledge and soft skills to do so. We believe that the above outlined courses would support disadvantaged individuals to access meaningful employment. Lot 85617: Supporting Organisations to Secure Funding and Build Capacity Various sectors and organisations now rely on securing funding through a range of means in order to grow their enterprises and ensure they are sustainable. Modules could include how to identify and diversify funding streams, fundraising techniques, bid writing, presenting proposals, using data and technology to make clear business cases, and capacity building. Lot 85618: Getting Into the Professional Services Sector Within West Yorkshire, a wide range of school and college leavers and University graduates complete their qualifications without having clear career progression plans. It is our ambition that the above outlined courses would support these individuals to access robust careers in various professional service roles through the provision of labour market information, insights from employers, and guidance on applying transferable skills and knowledge to particular roles in the sector. Lot 85619: Accessing Public Sector roles - including in Local Councils, Emergency Services & Mayoral CAs Courses that would address this challenge would support individuals in understanding the varied and interesting nature of public sector work and the many advantages of working in this area, along with practical information on completing application processes. To ensure that the employer application element of the course is relevant and fit for purpose, it will be expected that Public Sector employers would co-design the course. Lot 85620: Civil Service Opportunities This is to provide a minimum of 100 individuals with careers advice, support, essential digital skills and application process guidance into the Civil Service. Lot 85621: Beyond Brontës: The Mayors Screen Diversity Programme The provider is required to design and deliver a blended, bespoke and impactful TV and film production training programme to be delivered over 12 months, designed to meet the needs of the above target cohort from across West Yorkshire. For all purposes, the programme is to be known as “Beyond Brontës: The Mayor's Screen Diversity Programme”. Nurturing and retaining skills and talent within the region should be at the forefront of the programme, with a focus on diversity to ensure diverse talent.