Department for Education
The DfE offer direct contracts via their Jaggaer DPS portal. Contracts offered are for the non-devolved regions within England. If your plan is to gain a direct contract, you should sign up to Jaggaer to receive notifications about upcoming opportunities. Within all direct public sector contracting, Cyber Essentials certification is now a mandatory requirement. Social Values have also become a standard part of most applications and we can help you to identify and evidence what social values your organisation generates through your operational activities.
From November 2024, the DfE removed direct contracts for Skills Bootcamps, which are now procured through localised and devolved authorities.
Apprenticeship Provider and Assessment Register (APAR)
With the current system where proof is required for a Gap in Provision, this requires some very robust and well-planned execution via your employer base. There is no restriction on how many employers can register the Gap with the DfE, nor how many Apprenticeships can be part of the employer requirement. There are some standard stages that should be used to give a maximum chance of being invited to apply for the register.
Skills Bootcamps
Skills Bootcamp contract procurement usually opens around October to prepare for new contracts starting in April. Each of the Combined Authorities, City Councils and local Authorities who contract will have varying application windows and will sometimes during the year offer additional growth contracts to existing contract holders. WDC has a 100% success rate in successful Skills Bootcamp applications.
Adult Education Budget (Skills Funding)
Contracting procurement is via the DfE and all Devolved Authorities. Applications for AEB contract values has always outstripped the funding available, so it is beneficial to prepare a draft application in advance and modify with compelling narrative and data for the submission deadline.
Advanced Learner Loans
The contracting opening usually occurs once annually, so it is important to sign up for the DfE updates to make sure you do not miss the opportunity.