Apprentice Management System

Leeds Trinity University is a small University, with about 300 FTE staff, and about 3,500 undergraduate students. We have a growing number of Apprenticeship students and we are considering consolidating our apprenticeship processes into an integrated system.

We are seeking preliminary market information from solution providers regarding Apprenticeship Learning Management products to assist us with the preparation of a business case, and procurement strategy should the business case be approved by internal stakeholders. Our understanding is that there is a wide variety of solutions available, and that consequently the price per solution will be broad in range.

We have no preconceptions about which solution or price point will ultimately be suitable. We are genuinely open to variant proposals, however for background information, we believe our specification might encompass the following: • Management of the recruitment and application process • Assessment and diagnostic tools, including Recognition of Prior Learning • Digital onboarding • Progress monitoring and communication tools • Reporting functionality • Learning management and portfolio tools • Funding reconciliation • Support for regulatory audits • Management of Endpoint Assessments • Interfaces and dashboards for students, staff and employers • Business development functionality The University uses SITS and Moodle, and therefore the ability to integrate with both products will be a requirement.

We are keen to understand any transition requirements, lead times, lessons learned and recommended preparatory work that should be factored into our business case. We would also like to explore how the use of a single system might introduce benefits to our students, staff and employee partners. **Edit 07/07/21 removed original respond by date** Although not mandatory to do so, we would appreciate your expression of interest using or paying regard to the pro-forma at Appendix 1 We will collate expressions of interest and review content.

Dependant on the number and scope offered by respondents, we envisage inviting providers of a cross section of solutions to participate in a more detailed consultation, perhaps to include demonstrations week commencing 26th July 2021 ( instead of:10th May 2021). We envisage invitees will be confirmed by e-mail before 2nd August 2021 (instead of: 30th April 2021).

APPENDIX 1 We have enclosed / attached the following (yes/no) Company information Solution overview / options Schedule of rates Product brochure(s) Case study Customer testimonial / reference other (please list below) Additional information: **Edit 07/07/2021: There are a few areas we would wish to further explore and market operators are invited to comment upon the following: How can a solution support • regulatory and audit requirements? • reporting capability - standard reports, views and configurability. • business development activity • communication between student, employer and tutors • considerations for migrating data from existing systems Additionally, we would welcome advice regarding: Indication of project timescales, licensing model and indicative whole contract sum, excluding VAT, based on a hypothetical scenario of a constant 1500 apprentices. Pricing structure - (for instance, project management, license models, implementation, support, and other chargeable costs).

Break even - how and when should supplier and buyer see positive return on investment? Savings and benefits a) in return for commitment to longer duration contract by the university? b) should the number of apprentices being managed increase (for instance, are there quantity based price break advantages for set volume of apprentices?).

In response to our original unedited notice, some market operators may have submitted information regarding the above already. This extended consultation should not be taken to represent any formed opinion as to the suitability of those submissions. At this stage we don't plan to schedule any meetings and simply request responses via e-mail before 26th July 2021, at which point the university will review information received, answer any queries raised, and consider how the consultation period should progress thereafter.