Royal Borough of Greenwich and London Borough of Lewisham’s
Learning and Development Partnership Contract
Two local authorities are jointly seeking to procure a learning provider that will deliver quality
training design and commissioning; training delivery; a learning managed service provision;
an on line course booking system; cost and value for money. The likely duration of the
contract is 4 years (with a 2 year review). The value of the learning partnership contract
spend is forecast at approximately £500,000 per annum. For this contract, the partnership
will be looking at companies with a minimum annual turnover of £1.2 million. Companies with
an annual turnover of less than £1.2 million will not be considered.
Two different local authorities, Lewisham Council and Royal Borough of Greenwich, have
been working collaboratively, across organisational boundaries, to develop and improve
learning for their workforces. In 2011 a partnership was formed to deliver learning and
development interventions built on a shared purpose, with a commitment to deliver efficiency
savings and improve the development of people through new ways of working. By working
in partnership both authorities have also been able to maximise attendance on a range of
programmes, offer opportunities for sharing good practice and achieved cross-fertilisation of
learning for delegates, whilst reducing loss of productivity through ‘just in time’ shared
places.
The Learning Partnership are looking for a single managed learning services provider with
an on line course booking system offer. The contract could be managed through a master
vendor model or neutral managed service approach. The provider, however, must have a
proven track record in delivering the complete managed learning services provision in
complex environments. Our ideal provider will have proven examples of how they have used
market intelligence with regard to the latest thinking and delivery learning solutions.
Our ideal provider will have proven examples of how they have used market intelligence with
regard to the latest thinking and delivery of learning solutions.
The successful supplier will need to be able to strike the fine balance of meeting the distinct
needs of both learning partners whilst delivering excellent quality and value for money.
A robust understanding of the public sector, particularly local government and the
communities that both Councils serve is essential. The key components of our requirements
are:
Training Commissioning and Design:
 This will include the rapid design of quality learning solutions, applying innovative,
alternative delivery methodologies to existing and emerging identified learning needs
using clear, quality assured processes.
 The design will need to be keenly focused on public sector delivery requirements and
solutions that accurately meet the needs of each partner in a cost effective way.
 Identifying and sourcing of quality providers
Training Delivery:
 This will require an innovative approach to the delivery of learning solutions that
considers the use of electronic mediums, reduces the operational down time of
delegates, and includes a range of blended delivery methodologies.
 Examples of a range of ‘Just in Time’ solutions that offer real time learning and
resources and a rapid response to identified learning needs will be required.
Managed Services Provider:
 Administer the delivery of the Learning and Development activities including the
management and on boarding of trainers, venue management, flexible booking
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arrangements, dealing with delegate queries and enquiries, training materials,
running an automated booking system, waitlist and low course number management,
marketing, evaluation and reporting recording and process, invoicing and spot
purchasing by other organisations
A clear overview of the roles and responsibilities between the managed service and
the internal L&D teams in all key areas e.g. in relation to system User support,
administration, reporting, escalation, course requests, managing waiting lists and
contract management.
Agree robust, comprehensive business processes between all parties (based on
existing provider business processes)
Demonstrate pro-active and flexible levels of customer service, responsiveness,
engaging stakeholder management that will support new ways of working.
Provider to have proven skills set of account management, experience of
commissioning and can provide management information trend analysis.
On line course booking system:
 The Learning Partnership require an online learning & development course booking
system that will enable Users to view catalogues, book online, attend courses, add to
wait lists and for the system to hold and provide management information reports
 The system will need to bring learning teams, employees, agency staff, interims,
associated partners e.g. health, private, voluntary and independent organisations
together to use one single system. This provides a streamlined service and the
ability to report on all delegates holistically.
 There will need to be a clear overview of the roles and responsibilities in relation to
system User support, administration, reporting, system changes and development
feedback and progress.
 The on line course booking system will not be networked to internal systems at either
Council but there will be a need for the successful supplier to provide an IT solution
that links the learning record information for each delegate to the HR / Payroll
systems at both Councils.
The broad categories of our identified learning requirements are detailed below.
o Core Legal and Regulatory training, such as Health and Safety
o Leadership and Management Development
o Equality and Diversity
o Information and Communication Technology
o Personal Effectiveness and Customer Services
o Adult Social Care (including safeguarding, mental health, learning disabilities)
o Children’s Social Work (including safeguarding, children in need and children in care)
Cost and Value for Money:
 The partnership are looking for a quality, cost effective solution that will meet our
business needs.
 Some needs will be specialised both in terms of the learning requirement and the
sector involved and the successful provider will need to engage and manage third
party suppliers who will be required to deliver solutions to defined cost and quality
standards.
The partnership will be looking for evidence as to how your proposed programmes will
develop new skills and secure transfer of learning to the work place. We are interested in
your ability to use a variety of delivery methods to appeal to the different staff groups and
your proposed method of measuring the return on investment and success of the training
beyond the standard evaluation forms. Equally important is the demonstration of the
provider’s agility in responding to new or changing demands from the learning partnership.
All of the learning and development solutions to be delivered must directly focus on helping
our people to improve yet further the quality of the services that we deliver to our
communities. We are keen to understand your ability and your approach to integrate
equality, diversity and inclusion issues that reflect our local communities. Similarly, the
partnership aims to achieve efficiency savings against its current Learning and Development
operations while retaining high customer satisfaction. The learning partnership are looking
for a high quality, cost effective solution that provides real value for money.