The Provision of a Part-Time NSETS/JNC Endorsed Professional Formation Programme in Youth Work
The Education AuthorityEstimated Value
Up to £1,000,000
Deadline
Not specified
Published
6 October 2026
Type
Not specified
Full Description
The primary purpose of this preliminary market engagement exercise (“Exercise”) is for the Education Authority (EA) to seek supplier views and feedback on potential approaches for the provision of a learning provider for Part-time Pathways to Employment Programme in line with the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC). Further information on the project is detailed within Background Information Section of this document.
The EA is seeking to appoint suppliers to provide professional formation programmes in youth work for an undergraduate programme for an initial 20-30 students, for a period of study of up to 4-years. Within the contract period, further cohorts may be added, and we would anticipate that any contract would be extended until participants have completed their studies though the EA give no guarantees of numbers of participants. Secondly, a Postgraduate programme is required for 15 students, a master’s programme for 5-10 students which meet the JNC Qualification standards for a professional career in youth work.
As part of this procurement exercise the Education Authority is seeking to understand the market capacity to provide a range of education opportunities to support the development of a suitably qualified and highly skilled workforce. This pre-market engagement exercise is intended to establish capacity, delivery models and commercial arrangements that may be available.
The EA Pathways to Employment Programme will require the supplier to address and provide their approach to the below requirements.
- Education Authority requirements in relation to our Pathways Scheme
- Capacity to offer university places for an initial cohort of between 20-30 undergraduate places over the next 4 years.
- Availability to provide up to 15 Postgraduate study places
- Capacity to facilitate 5-10 Masters places
- Cohort-based provision with greater flexibility and value for money than individual enrolment
- Flexibility to offer a block period of teaching to support part-time study towards the successful completion of modules
- Course tuition to be facilitated at EA premises for a minimum of 50% of programme delivery
- Residential teaching as an option to support academic progress
- Entry requirements in relation to EA Youth Service and the designated university stipulated
- Specific course content relating to the Northern Ireland context included
- Content of course modules, student placements and required finance agreed for each programme in advance of programme start date
Requirements
The EA is seeking to appoint suppliers to provide professional formation programmes in youth work for an undergraduate programme for an initial 20-30 students, for a period of study of up to 4-years. Within the contract period, further cohorts may be added, and we would anticipate that any contract would be extended until participants have completed their studies though the EA give no guarantees of numbers of participants. Secondly, a Postgraduate programme is required for 15 students, a master’s programme for 5-10 students which meet the JNC Qualification standards for a professional career in youth work.
- Content of course modules, student placements and required finance agreed for each programme in advance of programme start date
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Likely incumbents
Suppliers who won similar work from this buyer in the last 5 years.
- 1
Version 1 Solutions Limited
£11m
total awarded
- 2
Irwin ME Limited
6 contracts wonlatest 8 Apr 2026£99m
total awarded
- 3
Woodvale Construction Company
5 contracts wonlatest 14 Apr 2026£57m
total awarded
- 4
Henderson Foodservice
5 contracts wonlatest 30 Mar 2026ends 30 Nov 2030£39m
total awarded
- 5
Fujitsu Services Limited
£81m
total awarded
Version 1 Solutions Limited is the most likely incumbent based on recency and category match. To win, bidders typically need a clearly differentiated proposition or a price advantage.
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Buyer Profile
the Education AuthorityKey Dates
Published
6 October 2026
Submission deadline
Not specified
Notice type
planning
Source
find a tender
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