Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP) are inviting responses to a new opportunity relating to the delivery of the new ‘Skills Bootcamps’ programme, which aims to support residents in the county to acquire new skills and – in turn – a pathway to employment.
The Skills Bootcamps programme – part of the Department for Education’s ‘Skills for Life’ activity – is being led in Oxfordshire by OxLEP Skills and is set to open to residents this summer.
Offering a range of free, flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, the Skills Bootcamps programme aims to give people the opportunity to build up a variety of sector-specific skills, helping to fast-track individuals to an interview opportunity with an employer and ultimately, paid work.
OxLEP Skills will be managing the £1.7million Skills Bootcamps programme across Oxfordshire, collaborating with procured partners to deliver training.
In the coming weeks, OxLEP will procure suppliers able to provide those first-class training opportunities through the programme, helping to ensure people have a greater ‘direct line of sight’ into employment, as well as building up solid skills for life.
The procurement process opens on 21st March, with submissions due by 9am on Thursday 2nd May. During this process, a number of supplier briefing sessions will take place to provide interested parties with more information.
A proposed total of 10 courses will be running through Skills Bootcamps, ranging from introductions to digital marketing through to gaining a better understanding of data analytics.
In addition, those attending Skills Bootcamps will be able to develop more practical skills, via courses focusing on areas such as hospitality, green construction and e-bikes.
The programme is fully funded for independent learners (currently unemployed), with majority funding available for employed learners who are sponsored by their employer.
Sally Andreou – Skills Hub Manager at OxLEP – said: “We are delighted to have secured funding to deliver such a vital programme of activity for Oxfordshire communities, helping to boost the employability of our residents.
“From those potentially disengaged with the labour market through to those over the age of 50 looking to reskill in a new area, our Skills Bootcamps are set to have a real impact on the employment opportunities of our residents at a critical economic time both locally and nationally.”
OxLEP has a track record of delivering significant activity, positively affecting the county’s labour market.
Over the past 18 months, OxLEP Skills has delivered its Social Contract programme which has so far seen over £2.5million-worth of apprenticeship levy funding secured from Oxfordshire’s largest employers, subsequently pledged to small businesses, leading to 150 new apprenticeships being created.
Sally added: “We are seeking to work with a range of delivery partners, able to deliver first-class training through the Skills Bootcamps programme and would encourage perspective organisations to review the Skills Bootcamps briefing and engage with our procurement process.”
Tender indicative timetable
Wednesday 3 April:
Supplier briefing session held. You can watch the recording and download the slides and questions and answers from the session.
Tuesday 16 April, 12:00:
Supplier briefing session held.
Wednesday 27 March:
Deadline for any queries in relation to this tender.
Thursday 2 May, 09:00:
Skills Bootcamps proposal to be submitted to skills@oxfordshirelep.com for the attention of the Skills Bootcamps Co-ordinator. We recommend that you set a delivery receipt to your email.
Tuesday 7 May – Thursday 9 May:
Assessment of proposals received.
Monday 13 May – Thursday16 May:
If required, virtual meetings may take place with bidders.
Monday 20 May:
Suppliers will be notified.
Tuesday 21 May – Monday 3 June:
Standstill period.
Tuesday 4 June:
Contract commencement.
Skills Bootcamps timeline
We anticipate that the programme will be contracted in June 2024 and activity will commence from June 2024, with operational delivery completed by 31 March 2025. Programme close and draft reporting to OxLEP Skills by 31 July 2025, final reporting to OxLEP Skills will be outlined in each individual contract.
For more information and to take part in the procurement process for Skills Bootcamps, review the documentation listed below.