Adult Skills and Skills Bootcamps

Description

Cornwall Council is seeking to put in place a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) to support the provision of Adult Skills and Skills Bootcamp training and commissioned activities that will support individuals to develop the skills needed for everyday life and work, including progressing towards, entering into and sustaining work and upskilling or retraining in order to advance or change their career. Cornwall Council envisage that the DPS will be procured in compliance with Regulations 74-77 (the so-called Light Touch Regime) of the Public Contract Regulations and include the following three lots: Lot 1 - Adult Skills Fund Lot 2 - Free Courses for Jobs Lot 3 - Skills Bootcamps The DPS will provide Cornwall Council with a selection of pre-qualified providers who will have opportunities to bid for individual service contracts using the call off process defined in the DPS, with delivery for Adult Skills and Free Courses for Jobs funding commencing from August 2025, following devolution of the funding to Cornwall Council in 2025. Cornwall Council will also independently need to procure Skills Bootcamps delivery for Cornwall from 2025/26 (Wave 6), replacing services previously delivered in partnership with Devon County Council under the Train 4 Tomorrow initiative. Lot 1: Adult Skills Fund The principal purpose of the devolved ASF is to engage adults aged 19+ and provide them with the skills needed for entering and sustaining work, an apprenticeship/traineeship, or other further learning.   It provides funding for programmes of learning up to Level 2 (GCSE level equivalent) and some Level 3 qualifications for individuals aged 19-23. The devolved ASF encompasses a range of statutory entitlements for learners, including the right to fully funded provision for basic English and maths qualifications and, depending on the resident’s age and employment status, an entitlement to a first Level 2 and/or Level 3 qualification for individuals aged 19-23. The devolved ASF also includes non-formula funded Tailored Learning provision.  The purpose of Tailored Learning is to support learners into employment and to progress to further learning, in line with the overall purpose of the ASF. It will, however, also support wider outcomes including using it to improve health and wellbeing, equip parents/carers to support their child’s learning and develop stronger and more integrated communities Lot 2: Free Courses for Jobs The Free Courses for Jobs Level 3 Adult Offer is designed to help adults to gain the skills that are sought by employers. This will help them improve their job prospects and support economic growth. Funding in Lot 2 is available for Free Courses for Jobs provision to support adults to gain free fully funded Level 3 qualifications that are part of the national approved adult offer and Cornwall Level 3 Offer. Authority officers, in consultation with providers will monitor qualifications on the approved list to ensure that they meet the needs of the county's growth/recovery sectors for delivery. Lot 3: Skills Bootcamps Skills Bootcamps are intensive, Level 3-5 or equivalent flexible training courses up to 16 weeks, with a guaranteed job interview (in the case of a new job), which equip adults with technical skills that enable them to access in-demand jobs, apprenticeships, new opportunities, and an increased level of income over time (including for the self-employed). Provision in this Lot should be open to residents of the relevant areas aged 19 or over who are full-time or part-time employed, self-employed, unemployed (i.e. not in work), as well as adults returning to work after a break. Providers must ensure employer involvement in the design and delivery of their Skills Bootcamp provision. Providers will be required to provide evidence of its work with employers. This could include involvement in the provision of behavioural skills support, work experience, coaching and mentoring, or the delivery of content.