Employability Support Programme C008/2025/2026
A Tender Notice
by LLYWODRAETH CYMRU / WELSH GOVERNMENT
- Source
- Find a Tender
- Type
- Contract (Services)
- Duration
- 5 year
- Value
- £680M
- Sector
- PROFESSIONAL
- Published
- 16 Mar 2026
- Delivery
- 01 Mar 2027 to 31 Mar 2032
- Deadline
- 20 Apr 2026 13:00
Related Terms
Location
Flintshire and Wrexham:
1 buyer
Description
Welsh Government is procuring Employability Support Programme services (“the Programme”) an initiative designed to support people in Wales to move closer to employment and into sustainable work. The Programme will deliver targeted, high-impact, person-centred employability support, ensuring that people regardless of their background can thrive in Wales’s evolving dynamic economy. The Programme directly aligns with the Welsh Government’s Stronger, fairer, greener Wales: a plan for employability and skills (published March 2022), which sets out our responsibility to drive strategic change across the employability system by: • Activating and supporting adults struggling to find work to enter and progress in employment. • Improving the employment prospects for economically inactive people, particularly those most at risk of disadvantage in the labour market. • Bringing together Welsh Government led employability programmes to deliver a new single operating model. • Providing effective support at the end of EU funding. The Programme will play a central role in delivering this strategic change and contributing to national milestones, including: • Achieving at least 90% of 16–24-year-olds in education, employment, or training by 2050. • Eradicating the employment rate gap between Wales and the UK, with a focus on increasing participation among under-represented groups. To realise this strategic transformation and ensure progress towards these national milestones, a network of training providers will be required to deliver a specified employability support offer across the Regional Lots. This will replace the present system for funding employability support programmes in Wales (existing contracted provision) which is due to end in March 2027. The procurement will not make use of an electronic auction. Welsh Government do not propose to set the shortest minimum tendering period by reference to section 54(4) of the Procurement Act 2023. Initial and Additional Cohorts: To maximise the accessibility, effectiveness and impact, services delivered under the Contract will be targeted towards an Initial Cohort. Services may at the Welsh Government’s discretion subject to funding availability, service need and strategic priorities, be extended to one or both Additional Cohorts during the Contract Duration by written notice: Initial Cohort • Cohort 1: Those aged from 16 years old, up to and including 24-year-olds, who are not in education, employment or training (NEET). Additional Cohorts • Cohort 2: Aged 25+ and short term unemployed from 1 day to 6 months unemployed (subject to Cohort 2 being activated, and additional eligibility criteria may apply if activated). • Cohort 3: Aged 25+ and long term unemployed over 6 months to 24 months unemployed (subject to Cohort 3 being activated, and additional eligibility criteria may apply if activated). Services for the Additional Cohorts will be materially similar in design and delivery method to those delivered for the Initial Cohort, with the frequency and intensity of interventions tailored to meet the specific needs of each group. Bidder(s) must not submit tenders on the assumption that any Additional Cohorts and / or Extension Period(s) will be activated during the Contract Duration. For indicative purposes only, Welsh Government currently anticipates that for the whole Programme approximately 8,000 individuals per year may be eligible for and may access services under Cohort 1. This estimate is provided solely to support bidder understanding of the potential scale of delivery. It is not a guarantee of participant numbers, demand levels or referral volumes. Actual numbers may be higher or lower and will depend on wider labour market conditions, referral pathways and funding availability. No minimum or maximum participant volumes are guaranteed under this Contract. The tender is split into 4 Lots by geographical locations, this procurement description applies to each Lot. This tender notice is for the award of a public contract through an open procedure in accordance with section 20(1) and (2)(a) of the Procurement Act 2023; Section 9 Light touch applies to this contract. Welsh Government does not consider there to be any known risks that could jeopardise the satisfactory performance of the Contract, which have not already been addressed in the Tender Documents.
Lot Division
| 1 | North Wales
North Wales- Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Isle of Anglesey, Wrexham- approx. 21% of the contract. The intention is to appoint a maximum of 3 suppliers to the lot. The Services will be delivered within each Regional Lot by the appointed contractors. Delivery may take place in person and online/virtually adapting to individual participant needs. The Client will manage the allocation of displaced participants as provided in the Instructions to Bidders at paragraph 10 (Allocation Methodology). Future referrals will be closely monitored by the Client to ensure they remain broadly proportionate to the Regional Lotting Structure. |
| 2 | Mid Wales and South-West Wales
Mid Wales and South-West Wales- Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire, Powys, Swansea - approx. 28% of the contract. The intention is to appoint a maximum of 4 suppliers to the lot. The Services will be delivered within each Regional Lot by the appointed contractors. Delivery may take place in person and online/virtually adapting to individual participant needs. The Client will manage the allocation of displaced participants as provided in the Instructions to Bidders at paragraph 10 (Allocation Methodology). Future referrals will be closely monitored by the Client to ensure they remain broadly proportionate to the Regional Lotting Structure. |
| 3 | South -East Wales
South -East Wales- Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Newport, Torfaen- approx. 19%. The intention is to appoint a maximum of 3 suppliers to the lot. The Services will be delivered within each Regional Lot by the appointed contractors. Delivery may take place in person and online/virtually adapting to individual participant needs. The Client will manage the allocation of displaced participants as provided in the Instructions to Bidders at paragraph 10 (Allocation Methodology). Future referrals will be closely monitored by the Client to ensure they remain broadly proportionate to the Regional Lotting Structure. |
| 4 | South -Central Wales
South -Central Wales - Bridgend, Cardiff, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Vale of Glamorgan- approx. 32% of the contract. The intention is to appoint a maximum of 5 suppliers to the lot. The Services will be delivered within each Regional Lot by the appointed contractors. Delivery may take place in person and online/virtually adapting to individual participant needs. The Client will manage the allocation of displaced participants as provided in the Instructions to Bidders at paragraph 10 (Allocation Methodology). Future referrals will be closely monitored by the Client to ensure they remain broadly proportionate to the Regional Lotting Structure. |
Renewal Options
Contract Start: 1 March 2027 Contract Term: The term of the Contract Agreement is for 5 (five) years and 1 (one) calendar month (and with the option to award an extension of up to an additional 2 (two) years on a 1 (one) year plus 1 (one) year basis) (and a 1 (one) year run down). (5+2+1= 8 years) Contract End: The Contract Agreement term ends on 31 March 2032 • Annual Programme Commissions will be awarded for 2027-28, 2028-29, 2029-30, 2030-31, 2031-32. • If the Agreement is extended, a Programme Commission will be issued for 2032-33, and further Programme Commissions may be issued for 2033-34 and potentially for 2034-35.
Award Criteria
| Question 1: Inclusive Access and Engagement | How will you embed equality, diversity and inclusion principles across Programme delivery, ensuring accessibility for under-represented groups and people with protected characteristics (e.g. disabled people, people from a minority ethnic background or community, people with LGBTQ+ identities), and demonstrate measurable impact in removing barriers to participation and achievement? Your response must include, but is not limited to: • How will you deliver effective outreach and engagement approaches, including collaboration with referral partners and targeted strategies for under-represented groups and people with protected characteristics (e.g. disabled people, people from a minority ethnic background or communities, people with LGBTQ+ identities)? • How will you provide reasonable adjustments and wraparound support to address barriers, and how will you monitor their effectiveness? • How will you embed cultural inclusion that meets participant needs? • How will you meet Welsh Language Standards and provide Welsh language and bilingual services that meet participant needs? • How will you manage disengagement risks and deliver re-engagement strategies and how will you monitor their effectiveness? • How will you tailor delivery to local needs and implement inclusive coverage across all geographical locations, including Hard to Reach Areas (as defined in section 1 of the ITT, Instruction to Bidders) for the Regional Lot? • How will you embed equality, diversity and inclusion principles in delivery and demonstrate measurable progress against Welsh Government priorities for inclusive economic growth? |
| Question 2: Individualised Learning and Progression | How will you deliver individualised learning and development support that reflects each participant’s prior experience, aspirations, and barriers to employment? Your response must include, but is not limited to: • How will you conduct comprehensive assessments of individual participant needs and work collaboratively with them to co-design their personalised support plan, ensuring flexible pathways that lead to sustainable employment or progression into further learning? • How will you deliver modular learning options and use blended learning approaches to meet diverse participant needs and maximise accessibility? • How will you track participant progress and adapt interventions, including learning approaches and frequency and process for reviews, to improve engagement, retention and outcomes? • How will you secure job opportunities and work placements that reflect each participant’s aspirations and needs, while ensuring alignment with present and future local labour market gaps and skills demand? |
| Question 3: Staff Development and Safeguarding Processes | How will you ensure staff are fully equipped to support participants with diverse needs and uphold safeguarding standards throughout delivery? Your response must include, but is not limited to: • How will you identify initial staff training needs and implement a comprehensive plan to ensure all staff are equipped to support participants to best industry standards, including ensuring equality and safeguarding and supporting diverse needs? • How will you deliver ongoing professional development, incorporating specialist training including mental health, disability inclusion, supported employment, positive behaviour support, and provide opportunities for collaboration with external support agencies to maintain best practice? • How will you ensure staff are fully trained, confident and equipped to identify safeguarding risks early and respond promptly in line with statutory guidance and best practice standards? • How will you collaborate with external agencies and referral partners to ensure seamless safeguarding interventions and support? • How will you monitor and review staff training and safeguarding practices and ensure governance across all delivery partners. Include details of how these arrangements will apply to the lead contractor and, if applicable, extend to any subcontractors and consortium members? |
| Question 4: Data Management, Monitoring and Evaluation | How will you implement robust systems to monitor participant progress, Programme effectiveness, and delivery outcomes while aligning with Welsh Government system requirements, ensuring data is provided accurately, in a timely manner and securely, whilst driving continuous improvement? Your response must include, but is not limited to: • How will you ensure successful interface with Welsh Government data systems, maintain secure data exchange and demonstrate robust compliance with GDPR throughout Programme delivery? • How will you ensure the accuracy and timeliness of data submitted? • How will you identify, assess and manage risks associated with Programme delivery and data integrity? Explain how your monitoring and evaluation processes will actively support risk mitigation and continuous improvement. • How will you use digital systems to monitor participant progress against agreed plans and Programme outcomes, and apply evaluation insights to drive successful outcomes, enhance quality and continuously improve delivery? • How will you measure and report on Programme effectiveness and outcomes, including participant feedback, and apply insights to drive successful outcomes, enhance quality and continuously improve delivery? • How will you measure and report on equality and diversity outcomes and apply insights to drive successful outcomes, enhance quality and continuously improve delivery? |
| Question 5: Employer Engagement and Job Creation | How will you build strong employer partnerships across diverse sectors, including the third, voluntary and public sectors to secure sustainable job opportunities and work placements? Your response must include, but is not limited to: • How will you actively build and maintain partnerships with employers across Welsh Government priority sectors (those driving green growth, digital transformation and inclusive economic growth) within private, third, voluntary and public sectors? • How will you ensure safe and secure working conditions for participants in compliance with health and safety standards and safeguarding requirements? • How will you tailor engagement and training to meet employer requirements while maintaining participant-focused delivery? • How will you embed Fair Work principles across employer engagement activities and support employers to adopt inclusive practices including blind recruitment and supported employment? • How will you collaborate with local and regional networks to maximise job opportunities and work placements and address present and future skills gaps with measurable results? • How will you measure, track and report employer engagement outcomes, demonstrating clear alignment with Welsh Government priorities (green growth, digital transformation and inclusive economic growth), and use these insights to drive continuous improvement? |
| Question 6: Quality, Innovation, Risk Management and Value for Money | How will you ensure consistent quality, manage risks, drive continuous improvement and deliver innovative, cost-effective approaches across all Programme elements, including (as applicable) sub contractors and consortium partners? Your response must include, but is not limited to: • How will you monitor delivery quality, uphold accountability and drive continuous improvement through robust quality assurance aligned with recognised standards and frameworks – including Estyn, Self-Assessment Reports (SAR), and Quality Development Plans (QDPs), while maintaining clear governance and accountability across all delivery partners? Include details of how these arrangements will apply to the lead contractor and, if applicable, extend to any subcontractors and consortium members. • How will you gather feedback from participants and employers and use it to drive continuous improvements in delivery and quality? • How will you identify, evaluate and manage delivery risks and implement contingency measures to maintain service continuity and safeguard delivery quality? • How will you introduce innovative practices (e.g. digital tools, blended learning, data-driven decision-making, resource sharing) and use technology and alternative approaches to improve quality and cost effectiveness and how will you evaluate and monitor impacts? • How will you develop and sustain a diverse and resilient supply chain, ensuring meaningful involvement, to meet participants needs? • How will you collaborate with local and regional networks to strengthen delivery quality and share best practice, and actively advance Welsh Government priorities (green growth, digital transformation incorporating digital inclusion and inclusive economic growth underpinned by Fair Work principles)? |
| Question 7: Delivering Social Value | Please identify and propose community and social benefits that can be attributed directly to this contract. How will you measure, report and evaluate social value contributions that are over and above those expected from delivery of the Employability Support Programme? Proposals must go beyond ‘business as usual’ activity and demonstrate added value that would not form part of your typical service delivery model. Areas to focus on (as provided at Section 2 of the ITT Programme Specification, paragraph 13.4) include: • Promoting Welsh language • Encourage cultural inclusion • Collaboration with supply chain (fostering local partnerships with SMEs, social enterprises and underrepresented groups) |
CPV Codes
- 80310000 - Youth education services
- 80300000 - Higher education services
- 80500000 - Training services
- 80400000 - Adult and other education services
Indicators
- Restrictions apply to the lot award allocation.
- This is a recurring contract.
- Options are available.
- Renewals are available.
Other Information
** PREVIEW NOTICE, please check Find a Tender for full details. **
Reference
- ocds-h6vhtk-051d9c
- FTS 023472-2026