- Scope of the procurement
- Lot 1. Building strong and inclusive communities
- Lot 2. Providing a good education up to level 2
- Lot 3. Moving residents into employment and supporting career progression
- Lot 4. Meeting future skills needs at level 3 and above through upskilling and reskilling
- Lot 5. Innovation
Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
West Midlands Combined Authority
16 Summer Lane
Birmingham
B193SD
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKG31 - Birmingham
Justification for not providing organisation identifier
Not on any register
Internet address(es)
Main address
one.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local authority
one.5) Main activity
General public services
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
WMCA Technical Education, Skills and Employment Support Flexible Procurement System Webinar
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 80000000 - Education and training services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
This notice is being used to inform the market of WMCA Technical Education, Skills and Employment Support Flexible Procurement System Update Webinar.
WMCA have opted to establish an FPS under the Light Touch Regime rules, within the Public Contracts Regulations (PCR, 2015) to deliver our Technical Education, Skills and Employment Support services provision. An FPS is an overarching agreement that allows FPS Providers who are admitted onto it to subsequently compete for Call-off Contracts through further competitions. It operates in a similar way to a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) but will have set windows for evaluation of Applications to join. This will allow WMCA to continually expand our network of providers and welcome new FPS Providers that are able to meet our requirements for the duration of the FPS.
Join us for an online update on the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Flexible Procurement System (FPS) before its reopening in January. This webinar will provide skills providers with the latest information and what you need to do to prepare for the reopening.
Date- Thursday 18th December
Time- 2-3pm
Location- Online. Teams link will be emailed to those who register.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: Yes
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Building strong and inclusive communities
Lot No
1
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 80000000 - Education and training services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKG - West Midlands (England)
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Every part of the region should have a strong local offer of numeracy, literacy, language and digital skills for communities that supports good health & well-being, builds confidence, improves inclusion & integration, develops key life skills and prepares learners for employment, self-employment or further learning.
A place-based approach should ensure a focus on first engagement opportunities for communities under-represented in learning and disadvantaged in the labour market, providing a clear pathway towards level 2.
This offer will take place in community settings as short first steps provision with a progression pathway onto an Adult and Community Education Service.
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Providing a good education up to level 2
Lot No
2
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 80000000 - Education and training services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKG - West Midlands (England)
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Every part of the region should have a strong local offer that provides any residents who need it with a good education up to level 2. This should include:
A comprehensive offer of high quality, locally available opportunities to improve literacy and numeracy, including through statutory entitlements e.g. Functional Skills Qualifications
A purpose-driven offer of English language learning up to level 2 that supports the cultural capital, social capital and vocational development of learners as they improve their language skills
A digital skills offer that helps residents access online support services needed for health, welfare, training or employment
Integrating vocational training at level 2 as a component to support progression to further learning, work or in-work progression. This should target those occupations where high vacancy demand exists, where there is a greening of job roles to support net zero and in occupations likely to have a higher proportion of workers without qualifications
The offer should be relevant and adaptable to the 47% of adult residents without foundation skills qualifications who are in work. Flexible and accessible delivery models should enable learners to study alongside wider commitments. Strong partnership arrangements and personalised support should ensure clear progression pathways into level 2 provision or good work.
A place-based approach should ensure a focus on those areas/people with the lowest skill levels and lowest levels of participation in adult education.
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Moving residents into employment and supporting career progression
Lot No
3
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 80000000 - Education and training services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKG - West Midlands (England)
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Every part of the region should have a strong into-work offer aligned to local labour market opportunities. This should include provision that supports:
young people to transition into the labour market
unemployed adults into good work
economically inactive adults into the labour market, including those who have a health condition or disability
in-work progression out of low pay, including for those in the gig economy and on zero hours contracts
people in employment, experiencing systemic disadvantage due to disabilities, gender, ethnic background or other characteristics
retraining for career change, including for those without good foundation skills
Working with specialist providers and in partnership with employers, the offer will deliver the skills that businesses need, providing clear progression pathways into good work alongside effective wraparound support for learners.
The offer should include flexible delivery models that are accessible for residents who work shifts or who can only attend at weekends and/or evenings.
A place-based approach should ensure a focus on those areas/people with high levels of labour market insecurity, including unemployment, inactivity, in-work poverty and/or risk of redundancy.
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Meeting future skills needs at level 3 and above through upskilling and reskilling
Lot No
4
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 80000000 - Education and training services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKG - West Midlands (England)
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Every part of the region should have a higher-level skills offer aligned to regional economic priorities. This should include:
A strong and broad offer at level 3, accessible to those in employment and affordable for those in low paid work
A flexible modular offer at level 4/5 aligned to the requirements of businesses, to support retraining or career progression
An accessible leadership and management offer at level 4 and above that supports SMEs to improve productivity and growth and is targeted on residents currently under-represented in L&M training
Working with universities, colleges, specialist providers and in partnership with employers, the offer will serve the growing requirement for higher level skills across the region - to strengthen business, improve productivity and attract inward investment.
The offer should be accessible for those in work, with more part-time, evening, weekend and hybrid delivery to fit around work and wider commitments of learners.
A place-based approach will ensure that higher-level skills opportunities are closely aligned to local/regional economic opportunities and strategies, including Plan for Growth and Investment Zones.
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Innovation
Lot No
5
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 80000000 - Education and training services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKG - West Midlands (England)
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Whilst remaining with the overall objectives and requirements of Technical Education, Skills and Employment Support services, WMCA want the capacity and capability to innovate in the delivery of skills and employment support across the region. This innovation approach may not fit within the descriptors of the other four categories but will incorporate the space to test and learn.
The types of activities we're likely to see included, but not exclusively, are:
- AI and Data Driven Approaches
- Gamification and Immersive Learning
- Flexible and Customised Learning Paths e.g. modular, micro-credentials and badging
- Work-Based Learning and Apprenticeships
- Technical Education
- Inclusive and Accessible Training Solutions for Disadvantaged Groups
- Sustainability and Green Skills
- Entrepreneurship and Innovation Skills
- Community-Based and Peer Learning Initiatives
- Test and Learn Programmes to Pilot New Training Approaches
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
16 January 2026
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
Join us for an online update on the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Flexible Procurement System (FPS) before its reopening in January. This webinar will provide skills providers with the latest information and what you need to do to prepare for the reopening.
Date- Thursday 18th December
Time- 2-3pm
Location- Online. Teams link will be emailed to those who register.
If you have any questions, please email EmploymentSkillsHealthCommunities@wmca.org.uk