Provision of Skills Bootcamps in Herefordshire

Procurement description

Herefordshire Council is undertaking preliminary market engagement to inform the future commissioning and development of Skills Bootcamp provision within Herefordshire. The Council is seeking information from training providers, further and higher education providers, employers, employer representative organisations and other stakeholders.

Skills Bootcamps are flexible, employer-led training programmes designed to help adults develop sector-specific skills that lead to employment, progression within work, apprenticeships, self-employment or higher-skilled job opportunities.

Through this Request for Information (RFI), the Council wishes to better understand the current market, existing provision, delivery models, provider capacity, employer engagement approaches and emerging skills needs across the county. Responses will inform the future design of Skills Bootcamp provision, procurement strategy and commissioning approach.

The Council is particularly interested in provision that demonstrates strong employer engagement, delivers clear routes into employment, supports local economic growth priorities, addresses workforce shortages and improves opportunities for residents facing barriers to employment.

This notice relates to preliminary market engagement only and does not constitute a call for competition or the commencement of a procurement process.

Main category

Services

Delivery regions

• UKG11 - Herefordshire, County of

Contract dates (estimated)

01 April 2027, 00:00AM to 31 March 2028, 23:59PM

Herefordshire Council

Is this procurement under a special regime?

Light touch

Is the total value above threshold?

Above threshold

CPV classifications

• 80400000 - Adult and other education services
• 80500000 - Training services

Delivery regions

• UKG11 - Herefordshire, County of

Sustainability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)

Contract start date (estimated)

01 April 2027, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

31 March 2028, 23:59PM

Engagement process description

Herefordshire Council is undertaking preliminary market engagement through a Request for Information (RFI) to inform the future commissioning and development of Skills Bootcamp provision within Herefordshire. The Council is seeking engagement from training providers, further and higher education providers, employers, employer representative organisations, voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations and other stakeholders.

Interested organisations are invited to review the RFI documentation and submit responses via the Supplying the South West Portal by 17:00 on 4 September 2026. Clarification questions should be submitted through the messaging facility within the Portal.

The engagement seeks information on current market capacity, existing Skills Bootcamp provision, delivery models, employer engagement approaches, learner support, emerging skills needs, sector priorities and commissioning options. Information gathered will be used to inform the future procurement strategy and service design. Participation in this market engagement exercise is voluntary and does not form part of a procurement process or provide any advantage in any future procurement.

Due date

04 September 2026, 23:59PM

Has the engagement period already ended?

No