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Guidance

Supply Skills Bootcamps

Information about Skills Bootcamps for potential suppliers.

Updates to this page

From:
Department for Education
Published:
31 October 2022
Last updated:
13 November 2024
Show all updates

  1. Updated the information provided to reflect a change in procurement routes.

  2. Updated the section on 'How to apply'.

  3. Updated the 'Joining the Skills Bootcamps DPS' section as the deadline has passed for guaranteed application review to join the DPS before the first competition bids.

  4. Updated the 'Application process' section. You can now apply to qualify onto the Skills Bootcamps dynamic purchasing system (DPS). Added information about how to apply once you’re registered as a supplier.

  5. Removed the link to sign up for the Skills Bootcamps DPS market engagement event as that took place on 14 November 2022.

  6. First published.

Applies to England

Overview

Skills Bootcamps are free courses for adults typically lasting up to 16 weeks, available across a range of sectors. They help people develop priority skills that are in demand at both local and national level.

They are developed by training providers in partnership with employers.

The government committed significant investment to scale up Skills Bootcamps between 2022 and 2025.

Who can apply

Skills Bootcamps can be delivered by suppliers such as:

  • independent training providers
  • further education (FE) colleges
  • employers

They are procured and delivered via local areas. If you want to deliver a Skills Bootcamp, contact your mayoral combined authority, local authority or local enterprise partnership.

Skills Bootcamps were previously also procured through the dynamic purchasing system (DPS). We are not planning any more national competitions through DPS. You can sign up for alerts to find out about future opportunities.

What’s involved

Skills Bootcamps provide flexible training. This is typically at levels 3 to 5 or the equivalent (medium to higher level technical skills) and at level 2 in some sectors.

You can offer them online, face to face or through a blended approach.

Currently, Skills Bootcamps are available in subjects such as:

  • digital – for example, digital marketing or coding
  • construction
  • logistics (HGV driving)
  • engineering
  • green skills – for example, solar energy or agriculture technology

Local areas may award contracts for Skills Bootcamps in additional sector categories in the future.

Training providers’ responsibilities include:

  • working with employers to develop the training
  • making sure each learner typically receives a minimum of 60 teaching hours
  • submitting monthly performance management information
  • completing an individualised learner record for each learner
  • ensuring learners are offered a job interview at the end of the course
  • securing learners a new role, responsibilities or business opportunities

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