Welsh language training provision for Welsh Government

Procurement reference

C053/2025/2026

Procurement description

Welsh Government is aiming to contract with a single provider who will provide expert level Welsh Language Training and different training interventions to offer a selection of opportunities that can meet the differing learning styles of staff in the organisation. This includes colleagues with additional learning needs, for example dyslexic or British Sign Language users, where tailored, bespoke training interventions are required.

Welsh Government has committed to delivering a bilingual working Strategy, ‘Cymraeg: It belongs to us all’ which sets out the ambition for all staff to work bilingually by 2050. To fulfil this ambition, it has committed to support colleagues to improve their Welsh language skills through a range of training opportunities in order to reach the strategy’s ambitious goal of creating a bilingual organisation by 2050.

The contract will also need to deliver expert consultation on a routine basis on the academic elements of teaching Welsh as a second language to adults.

It is understood that the National Centre for Learning Welsh is the only supplier in the market that can meet the organisation's requirements of providing a pan-Wales, varied, future-focused adult training programme while providing expert consultation. The National Centre provides Learn Welsh provision across Wales by coordinating a network of 11 Regional Learn Welsh providers. They also coordinate a national Learn Welsh curriculum and produce national resources. They therefore have access to teaching expertise on a national and local basis and can source specialist tutors to suit specific needs (such as BSL).

Llywodraeth Cymru / Welsh Government

Y Ganolfan Dysgu Cymraeg Genedlaethol / National Centre for Learning Welsh

Procedure type

Direct award

Description of how these justifications apply

Welsh Government are of the view that from the information provided above, the single tender request is in line with the principles of Schedule 5 of the Procurement Act as outlined above, as there is no single competitor in the market that could deliver the range and volume of services we require. There is no competitor to the Centre; it is the only such organisation in Wales. It is the centre of excellence, expertise and knowledge for Welsh language adult training provision. There are no competitors rendering redundant an OJEU competition.

Direct award justification

Single suppliers technical reasons

Is this procurement under a special regime?

Light touch

Description of risks to contract performance

N/A

Extension end date (if all the extensions are used): 31 July 2029