Guides
Written for training and L&D providers rather than buyers. How the public sector buys training, which frameworks and DPSs to apply to, where training tenders are published, and what makes a bid score. Free, no sign-up.
Start here
How to Become a Training Provider for the Public Sector
How to become a training provider the public sector buys from: get on frameworks and DPSs, close the compliance gaps, win a first contract, and build.
Start hereWhat Is a Tender? The Tendering Process for Training Providers
What is a tender, what does tendering mean, and how does the tendering process work when you bid to deliver training to a council or NHS trust? Plain English.
Start hereWhat Is Procurement? A Plain-English Guide for Training Providers
What is procurement, and how does public procurement work when a council or NHS trust buys training? A plain-English guide for training and L&D providers.
Frameworks and DPSs
APAR, UKPRN and Apprenticeship DPSs for Training Providers
What APAR is, how the UKPRN and apprenticeship funding rules fit around it, who runs the register now, and why apprenticeship DPSs use it as the first filter.
Frameworks and DPSsBirmingham Apprenticeship DPS: University of Birmingham Guide
The Birmingham apprenticeship DPS is only for training providers already on APAR. How the University of Birmingham buys apprenticeships, and how to apply.
Frameworks and DPSsEEAST Training Framework: A Guide for Training Providers
The EEAST training framework explained for training providers: what East of England Ambulance Service buys, how to apply on Atamis, and what entry involves.
Frameworks and DPSsHull Learning and Training DPS: A Guide for Training Providers
The Hull learning and training DPS explained for training providers: who runs it, what it buys, how to apply on YORtender at any time, and what entry involves.
Frameworks and DPSsSunderland Public Health Training DPS: A Guide for Trainers
The Sunderland public health training DPS explained for training providers: who it suits, how to apply on Open at any time, and what entry checks involve.
Frameworks and DPSsWarrington Apprenticeship DPS: Warrington Borough Council Guide
The Warrington apprenticeship DPS is only for training providers on APAR (formerly RoATP): how Warrington Borough Council buys apprenticeships, and how to apply.
Frameworks and DPSsYPO Training Framework: The 000999 DPS and the 1175 Successor
The YPO training framework explained for training providers: how the 000999 DPS works, what the announced 1175 successor means, and what entry involves.
Frameworks and DPSsWhat Is a Dynamic Purchasing System? DPS vs Dynamic Market
What a dynamic purchasing system (DPS) is, what a dynamic market is under the Procurement Act 2023, and why DPSs are a good way in for training providers.
Frameworks and DPSsPublic Sector Frameworks List: Who Runs Training Frameworks
A public sector frameworks list for training providers: YPO, ESPO, NEPO, CPC, GCA and NHS buyers, what each runs for training, and how you get onto one.
Frameworks and DPSsCrown Commercial Service (CCS) Frameworks for Training Providers
Crown Commercial Service, now the Government Commercial Agency: how CCS frameworks work and which agreements cover learning, training and apprenticeships.
Frameworks and DPSsWhat Is a Framework Agreement (and How to Get on One)?
What is a framework agreement? How call-off contracts and mini competitions work, and how training providers get onto one under the Procurement Act 2023.
Finding training tenders
Training Tenders in the UK: Where Public Sector Training Is Bought
Where UK training tenders are advertised, who buys training, how to filter by CPV code, and why most of the work sits behind frameworks and DPSs.
Finding training tendersContracts Finder vs Find a Tender: Which and When
Contracts Finder vs Find a Tender for training providers: which portal carries council and NHS training tenders, and the 2026 thresholds that decide it.
Finding training tendersWhat Is the Central Digital Platform? (The New Home for UK Tenders)
The central digital platform explained for training providers: free registration, your PPON (public procurement organisation number), and what to have ready.
Finding training tendersPrior Information Notices, Contract Notices and Market Engagement
What replaced the prior information notice under the Procurement Act 2023, and how training providers use early market engagement and tender notices.
Finding training tendersCPV Codes Explained
CPV codes explained for training providers: how the numbering works, the division 80 training codes such as 80500000, and how to use them in tender alerts.
Finding training tendersNHS Tenders for Training Providers: How to Win NHS Training Work
NHS tenders for training providers: which procurement rules cover NHS training, who buys it, the EEAST framework example, and the credentials buyers check.
Finding training tendersHow to Use Find a Tender (FTS): A Step-by-Step Guide
How training providers use Find a Tender: searching CPV 80500000 and training keywords, saving alerts, spotting framework and DPS notices, and registering.
Finding training tendersWhere to Find UK Tenders: Every Portal Compared
Where training and L&D providers find UK tenders: Find a Tender, Contracts Finder, the devolved portals, and the frameworks behind much training work.
Writing the bid
How Bids Are Scored: Tender Evaluation, MAT and Standstill
Tender evaluation explained for training providers: award criteria, the most advantageous tender (MAT), a worked scoring example and the standstill period.
Writing the bidPQQ and the Standard Selection Questionnaire (SQ) Explained
PQQ meaning for training providers: what a PQQ is, how the selection questionnaire became the framework and DPS application, and what its questions ask for.
Writing the bidInvitation to Tender (ITT): What It Is and How to Respond
Invitation to tender explained for training providers: ITT meaning, what the tender pack contains for a training contract, and how it works under the 2023 Act.
Writing the bidWhat Is Social Value in Tenders (and How Is It Scored)?
Social value explained for training providers: the Social Value Act, the Social Value Model in PPN 002 and PPN 026, and examples a provider can offer.
Writing the bidHow to Write a Tender Response: A Guide for Training Providers
How to write a tender for a training contract: read the tender documents, answer the award criteria, and write a method statement that evidences your trainers.
Getting ready to bid
Cyber Essentials Certification for Training Providers
Cyber Essentials certification for training providers: the five controls, Cyber Essentials Plus, when public buyers ask for it, cost, timing and renewal.
Getting ready to bidICO Registration, Insurance and DBS: Checklist for Training Providers
ICO registration, employers' liability, public liability and PI insurance, DBS checks and financial standing: the checklist framework applications ask for.
Getting ready to bidAre Government Tenders Worth It for a Training Provider?
Are government tenders worth it for a training provider? An honest bid no bid guide: effort against odds, why a framework place helps, and when to say no.
Getting ready to bidGovernment Contracts for Small Business: A Training Provider's Guide
Government contracts for small business, for training providers: how to win government contracts by joining a framework, closing gaps and building up.