Thames Freeport Skills Programme

Purpose of the Programme The Thames Freeport Skills Programme aims to build the capacity of the local skills and employment system to respond to the specific skills challenges and opportunities within the Thames Freeport area. The programme supports innovation, collaboration and growth in skills provision that aligns with the Freeport's wider ambitions to enhance productivity, drive inward investment and support local people to access high-quality jobs and careers.

The fund is designed to support the development of new programmes, improvement of existing facilities, and the piloting of new skills interventions across core sector areas. Projects funded through this fund will be known collectively as the Thames Freeport Skills Programme.

This procurement has been divided into nine Lots, as outlined in Section 8, and aims to appoint at least one supplier to each lot to support the delivery of the programme 2. Funding This funding has been made available as a direct result of the establishment of the Thames Freeport.

It is intended to help develop or deliver proposals that will benefit the wider sector and help local businesses grow through improved skills supply and training provision. Funding is available for programme delivery projects and capital projects, or both.

Thames Freeport will provide up to 100% of total eligible project costs. The minimum bid size is £20,000, and the maximum is £120,000 per programme delivery project, and a minimum of £50,000 and maximum of £200,000 for capital projects.

Applicants may submit more than one proposal. All eligible tenders will be included in a pipeline of Thames Freeport Skills Programme projects.

Projects in the pipeline will be prioritised on a regular basis. As funding becomes available, Thames Freeport may provisionally allocate funds to projects on this list.

The dates on which prioritisation will take place will be published in advance on the Thames Freeport website: https://thamesfreeport.com. Thames Freeport reserves the right to decide which projects it will fund.

Meeting the eligibility and assessment criteria does not guarantee funding. 3. Procurement Act 2023 Compliance The ITT will be available through a central digital platform, as required under the Procurement Act 2023.

This ensures transparency in procurement route and regulations applicable. The ITT will be published on the Find a Tender platform.

In accordance with the Procurement Act 2023, notices and award details will be published on the Find a Tender platform. Contract KPIs, award notices, and performance tracking will also be disclosed where applicable.

This procurement is being conducted by Matt Hamnett & Associates Ltd, trading as MH&A. Company number: 11197120.

Registered address: 1a Kingsbury's Lane, Ringwood, England, BH24 1EL. MH&A will act as the Contracting Authority for the purposes of this procurement and will enter into contract(s) with the successful supplier(s).

Due to administrative limitations, the procurement notice is being published via the Thames Freeport (TFP) buyer account on the UK Government's Find a Tender platform. This is to ensure compliance with public procurement regulations, as the funding for this contract is grant-funded and subject to public authority oversight.

However, all procurement activities, including supplier engagement, evaluation, and contract award and any prevailing contracts are being administered by MH&A. Bidders should direct all communications, clarifications, and submissions as instructed in this notice and the procurement documents.

You may request to be removed from the distribution list at any time should you choose not to submit a bid. Programmes that generate new starts on apprenticeship programmes in construction.

Examples may include, but are not limited to: Interventions to support participants in accessing apprenticeship opportunities. Pre apprenticeship delivery, support with barriers to accessing apprenticeships.

Deliver construction focused workshops and taster days Site visits to active construction projects. Develop short-term, hands on training to build basic skills and employability in preparation for an apprenticeship.

Include CSCS card preparation and mock interviews with employers Expected Participant/Learner Volume: 115 Programmes that generate adult training placement starts in sustainable construction.

Examples may include, but are not limited to: On-site construction bootcamps with employer placements focused on eco-friendly building techniques. Courses in Sustainable Construction or Retrofit.

Short courses in low-carbon technologies like solar PV installation, heat pump systems, and green insulation methods Site-based work experience linked with college-led technical skills in modular construction. Expected Participant/Learner Volume: 460

Capex investment to enhance local FE and HE capacity in sustainable construction. Examples may include, but are not limited to: Modernising construction workshops with net-zero compliant materials and tools.

Purchasing simulation software and equipment for renewable energy or clean-tech learning. Expanding classroom and workshop space to accommodate new skills bootcamps.

Programmes that deliver high-quality training in technology manufacturing. Examples may include, but are not limited to: AI & Machine Learning Bootcamps focused on real-world applications like predictive maintenance or smart robotics.

Training hubs simulating Industry environments. Modular training programmes for upskilling in areas like digital inspection, or AI driven quality control.

Collaborative innovation projects with industry. Programmes focused on equipping managers and team leaders with skills to lead digital transformation projects and implement new technologies on the factory floor.

Expected Participant/Learner Volume: 410 New provision to deliver training in digitisation of manufacturing and engineering and use of AI and emerging technologies.

Examples may include, but are not limited to: Training for smart factories, including real-time sensor integration and analytics. AI for predictive maintenance and process optimisation.

Specialist bootcamps in machine learning and industrial automation. Expected Participant/Learner Volume: 175

Programmes that will develop hydrogen skills. Examples may include but not limited to: New technician training in hydrogen fuel cell systems and technologies.

Conversion courses. Safety certification programmes in hydrogen storage and distribution.

Partnerships with energy providers for hands-on learning in hydrogen production. Expected Participant/Learner Volume: 115

Capex investment to support delivery of new technologies. Examples may include, but are not limited to: Acquisition of simulators for hydrogen plant operations or electric vehicle (EV) maintenance.

Investment in AI labs for training in machine vision and automation. Purchase of cleanroom environments for battery tech training.

Virtual learning platforms and immersive technology setups (VR/AR) to simulate industrial processes. Training to upskill and reskill unemployed / under-employed adults in to work.

Examples may include, but are not limited to: Short, intensive bootcamps in logistics and plant training. Industry-specific pre employment courses e.g. welding, IT support technician, HGV driver retraining.

Expected Participant/Learner Volume: 290 Develop and operate curriculums in VR / AR in food and drinks logistics Examples may include, but are not limited to: Technical training in AR assisted maintenance and assembly for industrial sectors.

CPD programmes for educators and trainers on how to embed VR/AR into curriculum delivery. Develop VR training materials to support realistic workplace simulations, including scenarios such as lifting operations, confined space, working at height, fire evacuation, and other safety-critical situations.