PS3237F - RFT to Establish a Multi-Supplier Framework Agreement for the Provision of Contracted Further Education and Training (FET) Services for the Education and Training Board (ETBs)

Summary

Provision of Contracted Further Education and Training (FET) Services for the Education and Training Boards (ETBs). All ETBs are participants in this national framework and may, at their discretion, drawdown services through it for approved training activities funded under their annual FET Service Plans. Training services under the framework are organised into two core categories: • Lot 1: Category A – Generalist Training Provision: Courses that support broadly accessible or vocational skills development and can be delivered without specialist accreditation or high-cost infrastructure. • Lot 2: Category B – Technical/Specialist Training Provision: Courses that require specialised resources, regulated tutor credentials, or facility intensive delivery. Lot 1: Category A – Generalist Training Provision Category A training refers to broadly accessible courses that support occupational skills development across various sectors. These may cover general or specific roles, provided they don’t require specialist infrastructure, rare technical expertise, or regulatory accreditation. Courses are mainly delivered by generalist providers using standard facilities and tutor resources. Pricing follows the contracted training structure full-day rate, hourly tutor rate, and management or admin fee. Education and Training Boards (ETBs) may include minor technical elements, such as a certified module or specialist equipment, under the receipted expenditure model. Lot 2: Category B – Technical/Specialist Training Provision Category B training refers to specialist or technically complex courses requiring significant resources such as specialist facilities, accredited tutors, or regulated environments. These support roles with defined technical or regulatory standards and cannot be delivered under the generalist Category A framework. Such courses are resource-intensive and typically involve providers with specialist accreditations (e.g., PHECC, QQI ownership, certified software partnerships). Delivery is procured via RFQ or Mini Competition to ensure cost-efficiency, compliance, and alignment with capability needs.