Decision details

Award Report for GMCA 930 Employer Engagement and Essential Work Skills for Employed GM Residents (Test and Learn)

Decision Maker: Group Finance Officer

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

GMCA have run a competitive process via a Mini-Competition in which 1 bid was received in total.

The Mini-Competition comprised of 2 parts, the first being Quality questions which accounted for 85% of the total score. The Quality selection process involved evaluating the bidders’ responses on a number of criteria:

- Employer Engagement (Step 1) - 20%
- Business Skills Review & Individual Skills Development Plans (Step 2) - 15%
- Skills Brokerage (Step 3 – Skills Brokerage) - 10%
- Essential Work Skills Provision (Step 4 – Skills Delivery) -10%
- Quality Assurance - 5%
- Finances & Profile - 5%
- Performance, Data & Reporting - 10%
- Capability to Deliver - 10%

Social Value was weighted as 15% of the overall score (9% Qualitative and 6% Quantitative) and was evaluated via the Social Value Portal.

Quality questions were assessed initially by individual evaluators, with each question being evaluated by a minimum of three evaluators who had all completed and signed Conflict of Interest declarations.

In addition to the previously mentioned assessment criteria, bidders were also subject to comprehensive Finance and Economic Standing, Information Governance and Safeguarding evaluations. These were carried out by specialists within GMCA and conducted in line with the processes published within the documentation.

Bidders were also required to meet minimum requirements for Ofsted or, where no recent Ofsted inspect was available, produce a good internal Self-Assessment Report.

A contract for services will be awarded to The Growth Company for the delivery of GMCA 930 Employer Engagement and Essential Work Skills for Employed GM Residents (Test and Learn) at a cost of £4,460,000.


Decision:

Following a competitive procurement process using GMCA’s Education Work and Skills Flexible Procurement System, GMCA wishes to award one contract with a total value of £4,460,000 to The Growth Company Limited.
Background
GMCA looked to procure a Workforce Development package of support and access to Essential Skills for Work, that truly meets the needs of Employers and their Workforce and provides an opportunity to build upon previous workforce development activities and genuinely test how skills provision can be delivered to a workforce, ensuring it is contextualised, meets the needs of employed residents and is funded more effectively.

A key purpose of this commission is to support the wider development and preparation for a GM Adult Skills offer – GMs Skills for Life and Work. GMCA are keen to understand what works well for Greater Manchester businesses and residents and we can ensure the skills offer and delivery is fit for purpose.

Therefore, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) looked to procure a Workforce Development package of support aimed at helping Employers and their workforce by:
1. Raising awareness of the training support that is available, not only in specific occupational specialisms but the essential skills needed for the workplace.
2. Supporting employers and their workforce to understand their current and future training needs, so that their businesses have the skills and talent they need for resilience, productivity and growth.
3. Providing the right Essential Work Skills training provision that meets this need, in particular the feedback received as set out in the LSIP.
4. Signposting to other relevant Skills Provision, where applicable

Part of GM’s Adult Skills Programme, this commission will provide support to Employers with their Workforce Development needs, and also deliver tailored and contextualised Essential Work Skills (English, ESOL, Digital & Maths), where this is currently a gap in provision for Employers and their Workforce across Greater Manchester. GMCA want to ensure businesses are able to access the skills and talent they need, by providing high quality learning, and wrapping support around individuals, enabling them to realise their potential.

For the purposes of this commission, when GMCA say Employed GM Residents we mean:
• Residents in employment (including apprentices)
• Self-employed residents
• Volunteers and Unpaid Workers.

Publication date: 04/10/2024

Date of decision: 04/10/2024

Effective from: 12/10/2024