Flexible Framework for Vocational and Skill Based Interventions
About This Opportunity
Flexible Framework for — services contract awarded in United Kingdom by North Lanarkshire Council. Awarded to Action for Children (GBP 5.0M, Mar 2026).
This is a services contract in the education and training sector, with a focus on Vocational Training, Higher Education and Secondary Education. Located in United Kingdom, Europe, this opportunity is open to firms and consortiums.
Published through UK FTS - Find a Tender Service, a national government procurement portal. Public procurement tenders follow the country's national bidding regulations and may have specific eligibility and documentation requirements for services in the education and training sector. Service contracts are typically evaluated on both technical quality and price, and may require bidders to demonstrate relevant experience and qualified personnel. This contract has already been awarded. The information is published for transparency and market intelligence purposes.
Description
North Lanarkshire Council (the “Council”) propose to establish a Flexible Framework Agreement with multiple external learning Contractors to deliver vocational and skill-based interventions across a variety of subject areas. Provision will be accessible to all North Lanarkshire schools however is primarily sought for senior phase pupils (S4-S6).
The aim of this Framework is to enhance the employability skills and post school pathways that will better equip our young people for the world of work. A significant focus of this framework will be to ensure adequate specialist provision is available for our schools and programmes supporting pupils from priority and target groups.
The proposed Framework duration is 4 years. There will be annual entry points to allow new applicants to join the Framework for academic years 2026-27, 2027-28, and 2028-29. This framework will not include vocational and skills-based interventions delivered by further education colleges/universities or any provision delivered under school college partnership arrangements.
In accordance with The Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, Regulation 74, the Council is seeking to put in place a Flexible Framework Agreement with multiple external learning Contractors for the provision of vocational education and skill-based courses for young people across all of North Lanarkshire’s school establishments.
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The primary aim of this framework is to enhance the curricular offering linked to young people’s employability skills and post school pathways, that will better equip our young people for the world of work.
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A key focus of this provision will be on young people pursuing well designed study courses that:
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-better equips young people for the world of work
-meets their clear career aspirations linked to local labour market information
-develop meta skills identified by employers as essential when recruiting young people
-equip young people with the experiences and attributes to develop their employability skills
-have a strong focus on work related learning and occupational development.
-are levelled in the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) e.g. City and Guilds, Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC), Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI)
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The offering will focus on the following areas:
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-Universal Offer – Mainstream Pupils
-Additional Offer – ASN Pupils
-Intensive Offer – Vulnerable Pupils
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Desirable subject areas for these pupils include however is not exhaustive:
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-Acting & Theatre Performance
-Automotive Engineering
-Beauty Care
-Civil Engineering
-Construction
-Creative Digital Media
-Dance
-Digital Game Development
-Early Learning & Childcare
-Employability Skills
-Engineering
-Food & Drink Technology
-Hairdressing
-Health & Safety
-Health & Social Care
-Hospitality
-It Hardware
-IT Software
-Make Up Artistry
-Music Technology
-Professional Cookery
-Rural, Horticultural & Outdoor Skills
-Scientific Technologies
-Sensory Arts
-Sound Production
-Sports Development
-Uniformed Service
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Tenderers may make proposals for courses in one or more subject areas if they are an approved/accredited centre within a recognised skills sector and have delivery staff/trainers with relevant qualifications to deliver to school pupils within their sector.
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Contractors must be available to deliver courses during the Council’s academic year: August – June.
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Full information on the Details of Requirements to be applied within the Framework Agreement are detailed in ITT Annex 1 available via the Buyers Areas within PCS-Tender.
. Additional information: Additional information PLEASE BE AWARE OF THE EXCLUSION GROUNDS:
Economic Operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of situations referred to in Regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.
Data provenance
This notice is sourced from UK FTS - Find a Tender Service and was originally published on March 23, 2026. Last refreshed 6 days ago. Reference: 026186-2026. BidsFactory mirrors official procurement notices and links back to the source for full legal text.
About North Lanarkshire Council
North Lanarkshire Council has issued 158 procurement notices on BidsFactory, including 0 currently open and 83 awarded contracts. Activity concentrates in Construction & Civil Works, Architecture & Engineering Services, and Urban Development & Housing. All notices are published for United Kingdom. Notices are distributed via Public Contracts Scotland and UK FTS - Find a Tender Service. Most recent publication: June 18, 2026.
Frequently asked questions about this tender
Where will the contract be performed?
The contract is for delivery in United Kingdom. Foreign bidders should review local registration, taxation, and any in-country presence requirements before submitting.
How can I submit a bid?
Visit UK FTS - Find a Tender Service to access the full notice, required documents, and submission instructions. Quote reference 026186-2026 when communicating with the contracting authority.
Is this tender still open?
No — the contract has already been awarded to Action for Children. The award notice is archived on BidsFactory for transparency and market intelligence.
Who is the contracting authority?
This notice was issued by North Lanarkshire Council in United Kingdom. The authority is responsible for evaluating bids, awarding the contract, and managing performance.
What type of contract is this?
This is a Services contract in the Education & Training sector. The classification helps bidders match the opportunity to their qualifications and registered scope of supply.
How much was the contract awarded for?
Action for Children was awarded the contract for £5,000,000. The figure reflects the value disclosed by the contracting authority in the award notice.
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