Future opportunity

Waterfront and Nuclear Degree Apprenticeship Schemes

  • Ministry of Defence

F01: Prior information notice (prior information only)

Notice reference: 2024/S 000-031505

Published 2 October 2024, 11:19am



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

Ministry of Defence

Bristol

Contact

Katie Thomas

Email

katie.thomas150@mod.gov.uk

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code

UKK - South West (England)

Internet address(es)

Main address

https://www.gov.uk/

one.3) Communication

Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address

one.4) Type of the contracting authority

Ministry or any other national or federal authority

one.5) Main activity

Education


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

Waterfront and Nuclear Degree Apprenticeship Schemes

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 80340000 - Special education services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

Employ and develop up to 30 advanced engineering apprentices per yearly intake to join SDA in September 2025 onwards. The actual intake will be dependent on the number and quality of applications. This is to cover one of the following three courses;-

SDA Level 3 Waterfront Apprenticeship Scheme Training Provision

SDA Level 4 Higher National Certificate (HNC) Marine Engineering Course (too meet qualifications set out in Level 3)

SDA Level 6 Nuclear Degree Apprentice Training Provision

All courses are to comply with the approved standards.

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

two.2) Description

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 80430000 - Adult-education services at university level
  • 80570000 - Personal development training services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKK - South West (England)

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Employ and develop up to 30 advanced engineering apprentices per yearly intake to join SDA in September 2025 onwards. The actual intake will be dependent on the number and quality of applications.

two.2.14) Additional information

Courses must comply with the following approved standards; -

Engineering Technician Standard ST1395 (Level 3)

ST0289 Nuclear Scientist and Engineer (Level 6)

Performing Engineering Operations (PEO) must also to be included within the syllabus content, as per recent changes to the course standards

two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice

28 February 2025


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes


Section six. Complementary information

six.3) Additional information

This Prior Information Notice (PIN) is to advise industry of the intent for the Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA), as part of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to publish a contract notice for the potential procurement of a facility enabling Apprenticeship and Graduate to allow students to enrol onto one of the following three courses as part of the Waterfront and Nuclear Degree Apprenticeship Schemes.

SDA Level 3 Waterfront Apprenticeship Scheme Training Provision

SDA Level 4 Higher National Certificate (HNC) Marine Engineering Course (too meet qualifications set out in Level 3)

SDA Level 6 Nuclear Degree Apprentice Training Provision

Release of the contract notice is intended to be published in Dec 2024, with the indicative contract award timeframe estimated to commence Feb/Mar 2025. Ideally, the authority would wish for all courses to be run from one facility. Should this not prove feasible then the alternative approach would be for the Lv3 & Lv6 courses to be run with one institution at a separate facility and the HNC at a separate facility. This may result in two separate suppliers being chosen.

Note: All face-to-face aspects of the Scheme are to be delivered within the Southwest of the UK area and make provision for student accommodation easily accessible to the training facilities. This would be funded as a separate charge to the trainees on an individual basis. Based on this requirement, the bidder will be required to accommodate training within a specified radius of Bristol (to be defined).

Courses must comply with the following approved standards; -

Engineering Technician Standard ST1395 (Level 3)

ST0289 Nuclear Scientist and Engineer (Level 6)

Performing Engineering Operations (PEO) must also to be included within the syllabus content, as per recent changes to the course standards.

By issuing this PIN and engaging with the market, neither SDA nor MoD are committing to carry out any procurement in relation to the information stated in this PIN. Approvals and funding are yet to be finalised.

Additional Information

1. The Waterfront Apprenticeship Scheme has a planned duration of up to 3 years, spanning 4 financial years for each intake. For all apprentices, the first year shall be spent full-time at college (with workshop type training) and in years 2 to 3 through a mixture of further academic study and work placements within SDA project teams. This will result in achievement of technical, academic and vocational qualifications alongside workplace experience providing a beneficial mix of technical knowledge, and broader Success Profile development.

Scheme provision is for up to 30 apprentices per each academic year (for 3 years).

2. The Nuclear Degree Apprenticeship has a duration of up to 4 years, spanning 5 financial years for each intake. The apprentices’ first year shall be spent full-time at college (with workshop type training) and years 2 to 4 as a mixture of further academic study and work placements within SDA project teams. This will result in both technical and academic qualification (ultimately a bachelor's degree) together with workplace experience providing a beneficial mix of technical knowledge, and broader Success Profile development.

Scheme provision is for up to 30 apprentices per each academic year (for 3 years).

3. The number of individuals undertaking the HNC is expected to vary each year, with a maximum number from September 2025 being 30. The HNC will be accessible to high achievers with a desire to complete the HNC during their Waterfront Apprenticeship scheme.