Scope
Reference
C008/2025/2026
Description
The Welsh Government invites stakeholders to help shape the commissioning approach for the Employability Support Programme by completing a preliminary market engagement questionnaire.
This engagement builds on the extensive early dialogue already undertaken with stakeholders across Wales which is informing the strategic direction and design of future employability support. We will maintain a summary of all engagement and publish this on the following website:
https://www.gov.wales/employability-support-programme-engagement-events
https://www.llyw.cymru/rhaglen-cymorth-cyflogadwyedd-digwyddiadau-ymgysylltu
This pre-market engagement now focuses specifically on shaping the commissioning approach and tender documentation for the Employability Support Programme, to ensure this delivers public value and aligns with our overarching commitment to a stronger, fairer, and greener Wales.
The Employability Support Programme will establish a unified national and local delivery model that is person-centred, responsive, and strategically aligned with the Welsh Government's long-term goals. It will deliver tailored support to help people build employability skills, enhance their personal development and well-being, and move into sustained employment. Particular focus will be given to those most disadvantaged in the labour market.
The Employability Support Programme will directly contribute to national milestones, which include:
• Achieving at least 90% of 16-24-year-olds in education, employment, or training by 2050.
• Eradicating the employment rate gap between Wales and the UK, with a focus on increasing participation among under-represented groups.
We invite all interested stakeholders to complete the pre-market engagement questionnaire. Your feedback will directly inform the commissioning approach and tender documentation for the Employability Support Programme. Participation in this questionnaire is entirely voluntary and will confer no advantage or disadvantage in any subsequent procurement process. Respondents are not required to complete all sections and may choose to answer only those questions they consider relevant.
The questionnaire must be downloaded from the eTenderWales portal, available at the following website:
https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk itt_119979 project_60454 - Employability Support Programme Market Engagement 1.
Once completed, responses must be uploaded and formally submitted via the eTenderWales portal by close of play on 18 November 2025. Please ensure your submission is made before the deadline, as late responses will not be considered.
Thank you for helping us co-design a commissioning approach, to ensure this delivers public value and reflects our commitment to a stronger, fairer, and greener Wales.
Total value (estimated)
- £680,000,000 excluding VAT
- £680,000,001 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 March 2027 to 31 March 2032
- Possible extension to 31 March 2035
- 8 years, 1 month
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 80000000 - Education and training services
Contract locations
- UKL - Wales
Engagement
Engagement deadline
18 November 2025
Engagement process description
https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk- NOTE: The authority is using eTenderwales to carry out this market engagement process. The first person from your Organisation to use the Platform will be required to register on behalf of the Organisation.- Registration involves accepting a User Agreement, and providing basic information about your Organisation and about the User performing the Registration.- The User who performs the Registration becomes the Super User for the Organisation.- On registering on the Platform the Super User will select a Username and will receive a password.- The Password will be sent by e-mail to the email address that was specified in the User Details section of the Registration page.- In order to log-in to the Platform please enter your Username and Password.- Note: If you forget your Password then visit the homepage and click "Forgot your password?"- Registration should only be performed once for each Organisation.- If you think that someone in your Organisation may have already registered on this Platform then you must not register again.- Please contact the person who Registered (i.e. the Super User) in order to arrange access to the Platform.- Contact the Helpdesk immediately if you are unable to contact the Super User (for example if they have left your Organisation).- Note: If your Organisation is already registered on the Platform then you must not make any additional registration. How To Find The Engagement Questionnaire:- Once logged in you must click on 'PQQs/ITT's Open to all Suppliers'- The e-tender references for this Engagement Questionnaire are: itt_119979 project_60454 - Employability Support Programme Market Engagement 1.- Click on the title to access summary details of the contract engagement questionnaire. If you are still interested in submitting a response, click the 'Express an Interest button'. This will move the PQQ/ITT engagement questionnaire from the 'Open to all Suppliers' area to the 'My PQQ/ITT's' on the home page.- You will then see the full details of the engagement questionnaire and background information in the 'Attachments' area.- Should you have any questions on the documentation, please use the 'Messages' area to contact the buyer directly. You will be expected to download the questionnaire, reload and submit the questionnaire with your completed responses.
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
11 March 2026
Procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Contracting authority
Llywodraeth Cymru / Welsh Government
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PQYQ-3841-BHTP
Gwasanaethau Caffael Corfforaethol / Corporate Procurement Services
Cardiff
CF10 3NQ
United Kingdom
Email: CPSProcurementAdvice@gov.wales
Website: http://gov.wales
Region: UKL22 - Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan
Organisation type: Public authority - central government
Devolved regulations that apply: Wales