Planning

Essex Skills Bootcamps Wave 7

  • Essex County Council

UK2: Preliminary market engagement notice - Procurement Act 2023 - view information about notice types

Notice identifier: 2026/S 000-001552

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-060214

Published 8 January 2026, 3:24pm



Scope

Reference

PL0120

Description

Essex County Council is gathering the requirements in order to be able to commission Service Providers to deliver Skills Bootcamps across Essex.

Introduction to Skills Bootcamps in Essex

Skills Bootcamps offer adults aged 19 and over the opportunity to develop sector-specific skills through flexible courses lasting up to 16 weeks. These programmes are either fully funded or co-funded, making them accessible to a wide range of learners. Upon completion, participants must be guaranteed a fast-track interview with a local employer. Skills Bootcamps is about securing jobs for our residents, upskilling the existing workforce and supporting local employers to manage skills gaps.

Our key target groups and ambition

• Unemployed adults into jobs (Essex residents)

• Employed adults into new jobs or promotion (Essex residents or employees at Essex based businesses)

• Employers addressing critical skills shortages (Essex based businesses).

A coordinated approach to the delivery of Skills Bootcamps across Essex, Southend, and Thurrock will strengthen the region's response to current vacancies and future opportunities. This initiative aligns with national priorities and the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP).

Prospective Service Providers are encouraged to complete the survey https://consultations.essex.gov.uk/procurement/69ac3fe6/ to help Essex County Council update its market intelligence of what programmes Service Providers could be commissioned to deliver. Which will will then be used in the creation of the requirements.

Total value (estimated)

  • £680,000 excluding VAT
  • £816,000 including VAT

Above the relevant threshold

Contract dates (estimated)

  • 1 June 2026 to 30 September 2027
  • 1 year, 4 months

Main procurement category

Services

CPV classifications

  • 80000000 - Education and training services

Contract locations

  • UKH3 - Essex

Engagement

Engagement deadline

29 January 2026

Engagement process description

Essex County Council is gathering the requirements in order to be able to commission Service Providers to deliver Skills Bootcamps across Essex.

Introduction to Skills Bootcamps in Essex

Skills Bootcamps offer adults aged 19 and over the opportunity to develop sector-specific skills through flexible courses lasting up to 16 weeks. These programmes are either fully funded or co-funded, making them accessible to a wide range of learners. Upon completion, participants must be guaranteed a fast-track interview with a local employer. Skills Bootcamps is about securing jobs for our residents, upskilling the existing workforce and supporting local employers to manage skills gaps.

Our key target groups and ambition

• Unemployed adults into jobs (Essex residents)

• Employed adults into new jobs or promotion (Essex residents or employees at Essex based businesses)

• Employers addressing critical skills shortages (Essex based businesses).

A coordinated approach to the delivery of Skills Bootcamps across Essex, Southend, and Thurrock will strengthen the region's response to current vacancies and future opportunities. This initiative aligns with national priorities and the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP).

Prospective Service Providers are encouraged to complete the survey https://consultations.essex.gov.uk/procurement/69ac3fe6/ to help Essex County Council update its market intelligence of what programmes Service Providers could be commissioned to deliver. Which will will then be used in the creation of the requirements.


Participation

Particular suitability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)


Contracting authority

Essex County Council

  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWVM-4844-NRQH

County Hall, Market Road

Chelmsford

CM1 1QH

United Kingdom

Region: UKH36 - Heart of Essex

Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government