DfE Dynamic Purchasing System for Skills Bootcamps

DfE is seeking to engage with suppliers who are interested in delivering Skills Bootcamps, building on successful delivery to date and as the third wave of Skills Bootcamps moves toward delivery. DfE are currently proposing to launch a dynamic purchasing system (DPS) for a duration of up to 6 years with a value of approximately £1.5bn to support DfE’s Skills Bootcamps.

DfE is focusing on Skills Bootcamps within the wider adult skills agenda and envisages significant and regular requirements for the procurement of Skills Bootcamps. Therefore, DfE wishes to streamline the process and have a close and ongoing relationship with suppliers.

This PIN is for market engagement only. It does not signify the commencement of any procurement process and does not constitute any commitment by DfE. If DfE decides to commence any procurement process(es) as contemplated by this notice, a separate notice(s) will be published at the relevant time.

What are Skills Bootcamps?

Skills Bootcamps are part of the 2019 manifesto commitment to invest £3bn (£2.5bn after Barnett consequential) through the National Skills Fund to help adults learn valuable skills and prepare the economy of the future. The fund aims to increase skills, productivity and individuals’ resilience to better respond to a changing labour market. Overall, Skills Bootcamps contribute to the government’s agenda to drive economic growth and wider skills reforms. Ensuring the adult skills system delivers for employers is a key priority for the department as set out in the Plan for Jobs White Paper and recently published in the Levelling Up White Paper.

DfE started rolling out early testing of Skills Bootcamps in September 2020 and expanded the programme from April 2021 (Wave 1 and Wave 2 respectively), in accordance with the Public Contract Regulations 2015. The results of Wave 2 procurement were announced in July 2021 and contracts subsequently agreed with the successful suppliers. Wave 2 Skills Bootcamps completed on 31 March 2022 and some contract extensions have now been entered into. DfE launched a competition for Wave 3 Skills Bootcamps in January 2022 which is now closed; notification of contract awards is expected to be announced in July 2022. DfE are also providing up to £70 million to Mayoral Combined Authorities and the Greater London Authority so they can offer more local Skills Bootcamps.

Building on the previous successful waves, DfE is now considering launching a dynamic purchasing system to procure future Skills Bootcamps. This PIN and subsequent market engagement relates specifically to the dynamic purchasing system for Skills Bootcamps.

The aims of the Skills Bootcamps are:

• To deliver short, flexible training programmes in England lasting up to 16 weeks, based on employer/sector ‘in-demand’ skills such as digital.
• Training may be either regulated (i.e., qualification based) or non-regulated (i.e. based on alignment with industry standards, apprenticeship standards and/or quality assured through evidenced methodology such as RARPA, SFIA or other) and will offer a guaranteed job interview for those seeking a new job on completion of the course.
• To address the needs of adults (19+) who are employed (either full-time or part-time), unemployed, returning to work, self-employed and prisoners within 6 months of release.
• To provide adults with wider access to opportunities to retrain, update or formalise their skills or acquire specialist skills. Skills Bootcamps are primarily targeted at NQF Level 3-5 or equivalent. For some sector areas they may also cover Level 2 courses.
• To address the needs of employers and the wider economy, to deliver targeted interventions to meet short-medium term demand to fill medium-higher level vacancies and drive productivity.

Further information about the Skills Bootcamps can be found here: www.gov.uk/guidance/national-sk… ↗