Award

ID 5828340 - DfE - Skills for Life and Work Programme 2025

  • Department for the Economy

UK6: Contract award notice - Procurement Act 2023 - view information about notice types

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-045276

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-0517ac (view related notices)

Published 1 August 2025, 2:42pm



Scope

Reference

ID 5828340

Description

The Department for the Economy is seeking tenders for the delivery of the Skills for Life and Work Programme 2025. The programme will support a diverse cohort of young people through a relevant and empowering vocational education and training experience that equips them for progression to higher levels of learning or to employment, according to their own aspirations. The overall aim of the Programme is to ensure continuity of youth vocational education and training provision, contribute to social and economic inclusion, deliver skills learning and achievement, and act as a pathway to any next step. Many participants will enter the Programme with a disability or disabilities, and/or with a complex range of issues and barriers to learning and achievement, including mental wellbeing challenges and mental health difficulties. Additional disability support will be the responsibility of the training provider to deliver or source. Payment for this support will be covered in the funding table and contractual measures will be in place to ensure that this additional funding is ring-fenced and directed towards those young people with disabilities. Suppliers should refer to the Specification Schedule for full detail on the deliverables of this contract.


Contract 1. ID 5828340 - DfE - Skills for Life and Work Programme 2025

Suppliers (20)

Contract value

  • £195,000,000 excluding VAT
  • £234,000,000 including VAT

Above the relevant threshold

Award decision date

1 August 2025

Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers

1 August 2025

Standstill period

  • End: 13 August 2025
  • 8 working days

Earliest date the contract will be signed

14 August 2025

Contract dates (estimated)

  • 1 September 2025 to 1 September 2025
  • Possible extension to 31 July 2031
  • 5 years, 11 months

Description of possible extension:

The Award of Contract is anticipated to be August 2025 with the Initial Contract Period of up to two years commencing in September 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter (where 'up to two years' pertains to the period of recruitment of participants to the programme). There will be a run-off period following the Initial Contract Period during which all Contract provisions, terms and conditions will continue to apply. This is to accommodate the participant training entitlements set out in the Operational Requirements. Service delivery cannot commence until the first Monday of the September 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter following Contract commencement and the programme will close to new participant entrants after July 2027. There will be an option to extend the Initial Contract Period for a further four one-year periods , and if the Contract is extended the Programme will remain open to new participant entrants during the extension period. Participants recruited during the Initial Contract Period or the extension period will have a training entitlement as set out in the Operational Requirements.

Main procurement category

Services

CPV classifications

  • 80000000 - Education and training services

Contract locations

  • UKN - Northern Ireland

Information about tenders

  • 22 tenders received
  • 20 tenders assessed in the final stage:
    • 11 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
    • 12 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
  • 20 suppliers awarded contracts
  • 0 suppliers unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)

Procedure

Procedure type

Open procedure

Special regime

Light touch


Suppliers

21TRAINING LIMITED

  • Companies House: NI675540
  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PJTQ-4631-ZVHD

66 Main Street

Strabane

BT82 8AX

United Kingdom

Region: UKN0A - Derry City and Strabane

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No

Supported employment provider: No

Public service mutual: No

Contract 1. ID 5828340 - DfE - Skills for Life and Work Programme 2025

ASHTON COMMUNITY TRUST

  • Companies House: NI034595
  • Charity Commission for Northern Ireland: NIC104639

Ashton Centre, 5 Churchill Street

Belfast

BT15 2BP

United Kingdom

Region: UKN06 - Belfast

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): Yes

Supported employment provider: Yes

Public service mutual: No

Contract 1. ID 5828340 - DfE - Skills for Life and Work Programme 2025

BRYSON ENERGY

  • Companies House: NI603445
  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PQTM-8685-CBDQ

2 Rivers Edge

Belfast

BT6 8DN

United Kingdom

Region: UKN06 - Belfast

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No

Supported employment provider: No

Public service mutual: No

Contract 1. ID 5828340 - DfE - Skills for Life and Work Programme 2025

CLANRYE GROUP LIMITED

  • Companies House: NP000266
  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PPNC-9517-DCRP

Slieve Gullion Courtyard, 89 Drumintee Road

Newry

BT35 8SW

United Kingdom

Region: UKN08 - Newry, Mourne and Down

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): Yes

Supported employment provider: No

Public service mutual: No

Contract 1. ID 5828340 - DfE - Skills for Life and Work Programme 2025

Coalisland Training Services Ltd

  • Charity Commission for Northern Ireland: NI 100770
  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PLPQ-1249-DXWG

51 DUNGANNON ROAD

DUNGANNON

BT71 4HP

United Kingdom

Region: UKN0B - Mid Ulster

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): Yes

Supported employment provider: No

Public service mutual: No

Contract 1. ID 5828340 - DfE - Skills for Life and Work Programme 2025

CRAFT TRAINING LTD

  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PPBR-9124-LYXL
  • Companies House: NI619847

83 LAUREL DRIVE

STRABANE

BT82 9PN

United Kingdom

Region: UKN0A - Derry City and Strabane

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No

Supported employment provider: No

Public service mutual: No

Contract 1. ID 5828340 - DfE - Skills for Life and Work Programme 2025

D.F.P.F. LIMITED

  • Companies House: NI041643
  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PMQR-4417-CMCJ

Aisling House

Belfast

BT9 5FL

United Kingdom

Region: UKN06 - Belfast

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No

Supported employment provider: No

Public service mutual: No

Contract 1. ID 5828340 - DfE - Skills for Life and Work Programme 2025

DERRY YOUTH AND COMMUNITY WORKSHOP LIMITED

  • Companies House: NP000202
  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PLQM-7429-XRTW

6 Society Street

Derry

BT486PJ

United Kingdom

Region: UKN0A - Derry City and Strabane

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No

Supported employment provider: No

Public service mutual: No

Contract 1. ID 5828340 - DfE - Skills for Life and Work Programme 2025

DISABILITY ACTION (NI)

  • Companies House: NI019258
  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PYCH-2357-XRDW

Portside Business Park

Belfast

BT3 9ED

United Kingdom

Region: UKN06 - Belfast

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): Yes

Supported employment provider: No

Public service mutual: No

Contract 1. ID 5828340 - DfE - Skills for Life and Work Programme 2025

GAELCHURSAI LIMITED

  • Companies House: NI606540
  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PCRC-5133-TXNG

2 Fallswater Street

Belfast

BT12 6BZ

United Kingdom

Region: UKN06 - Belfast

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): Yes

Supported employment provider: No

Public service mutual: No

Contract 1. ID 5828340 - DfE - Skills for Life and Work Programme 2025

GET SKILLS EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING LTD

  • Companies House: 07083531
  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PCWM-2653-WRMG

86-90, Paul Street

London

EC2A 4NE

United Kingdom

Region: UKI41 - Hackney and Newham

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No

Supported employment provider: No

Public service mutual: No

Contract 1. ID 5828340 - DfE - Skills for Life and Work Programme 2025

IMPACT TRAINING (N.I) LIMITED

  • Companies House: NP000226
  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PTZH-2752-JBMM

16 Lanark Way

BELFAST

BT133DE

United Kingdom

Region: UKN06 - Belfast

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): Yes

Supported employment provider: No

Public service mutual: No

Contract 1. ID 5828340 - DfE - Skills for Life and Work Programme 2025

LIMESTONE YOUTH TRAINING PROJECT LIMITED

  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PGVP-3322-YNRJ
  • Companies House: NP000239

10-12 Rosemary Street

Belfast

BT1 1QD

United Kingdom

Region: UKN06 - Belfast

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): Yes

Supported employment provider: No

Public service mutual: No

Contract 1. ID 5828340 - DfE - Skills for Life and Work Programme 2025

RUTLEDGE TRAINING LIMITED

  • Companies House: NI650791
  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PCMC-5655-BRMN

Rutledge House, 25-27 New Row

Coleraine

BT52 1AD

United Kingdom

Region: UKN0C - Causeway Coast and Glens

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No

Supported employment provider: No

Public service mutual: No

Contract 1. ID 5828340 - DfE - Skills for Life and Work Programme 2025

Skilled NI

  • Companies House: NP000219
  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PBBR-2434-VGMZ

98-102 Donegall Street

Belfast

BT1 2GW

United Kingdom

Region: UKN06 - Belfast

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): Yes

Supported employment provider: No

Public service mutual: No

Contract 1. ID 5828340 - DfE - Skills for Life and Work Programme 2025

Springboard Opportunities Ltd

  • Companies House: NI27175
  • Charity Commission for Northern Ireland: NIC101249

112-114 Donegall Street Belfast

Belfast

BT1 2GX

United Kingdom

Region: UKN06 - Belfast

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): Yes

Supported employment provider: No

Public service mutual: No

Contract 1. ID 5828340 - DfE - Skills for Life and Work Programme 2025

SPRINGVALE TRAINING LIMITED

  • Companies House: NI026947
  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PDNM-3142-XDDG

200 Springfield Road

Belfast

BT12 7DB

United Kingdom

Region: UKN06 - Belfast

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): Yes

Supported employment provider: No

Public service mutual: No

Contract 1. ID 5828340 - DfE - Skills for Life and Work Programme 2025

THE NOW PROJECT LIMITED

  • Companies House: NI043774
  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PYWL-2672-ZBBX

The Now Group, 15-17 Grosvenor Road

Belfast

BT12 4GN

United Kingdom

Region: UKN06 - Belfast

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): Yes

Supported employment provider: No

Public service mutual: No

Contract 1. ID 5828340 - DfE - Skills for Life and Work Programme 2025

ULSTER SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT LIMITED

  • Companies House: NI005192
  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PCNQ-8713-MMZX

182-188 Cambrai Street

Belfast

BT13 3JH

United Kingdom

Region: UKN06 - Belfast

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No

Supported employment provider: Yes

Public service mutual: No

Contract 1. ID 5828340 - DfE - Skills for Life and Work Programme 2025

WORKFORCE TRAINING SERVICES LIMITED

  • Companies House: NI031308
  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PNLQ-4815-NDDQ

88-90 Springfield Road

Belfast

BT12 7AJ

United Kingdom

Region: UKN06 - Belfast

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): Yes

Supported employment provider: No

Public service mutual: No

Contract 1. ID 5828340 - DfE - Skills for Life and Work Programme 2025


Contracting authority

Department for the Economy

  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PZXX-5679-MBYZ

Adelaide House, 39/49 Adelaide Street

Belfast

BT2 8FD

United Kingdom

Region: UKN06 - Belfast

Organisation type: Public authority - central government

Devolved regulations that apply: Northern Ireland


Other organisation

These organisations are carrying out the procurement, or part of it, on behalf of the contracting authorities.

CPD - Supplies & Services Division

Summary of their role in this procurement: Construction and Procurement Delivery - Supplies and Services Division, is a Centre of Procurement Expertise and provides a central procurement function for central government in Northern Ireland.

  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVWG-8426-YWXV

Clare House, 303 Airport Road West

BELFAST

BT3 9ED

United Kingdom

Region: UKN06 - Belfast


Contact organisation

Contact CPD - Supplies & Services Division for any enquiries.