Bid Writing Courses and Training in the UK
Investing in bid writing courses can dramatically improve your proposal success rates and career prospects. Whether you're new to bid writing or an experienced professional seeking formal qualifications, there are training options to suit every need and budget.
This guide covers the leading bid writing training options available in the UK, from industry-standard APMP certification to practical skills workshops.
Why Invest in Bid Writing Training?
For Individuals
- Career advancement - Qualified bid writers command higher salaries
- Credibility - Certifications demonstrate professional competence
- Skill development - Learn proven techniques from experts
- Networking - Connect with other bid professionals
For Organizations
- Improved win rates - Trained teams write better bids
- Consistency - Common standards across bid team
- Efficiency - Faster, more effective bid processes
- Competitive advantage - Better proposals than competitors
APMP Certification
The Association of Proposal Management Professionals (APMP) offers the most widely recognized bid and proposal management certifications globally.
APMP Foundation Level
Overview:
- Entry-level certification
- Tests knowledge of proposal management fundamentals
- Based on APMP Body of Knowledge
- Multiple choice exam format
Requirements:
- No prerequisites
- Self-study or instructor-led preparation
- 75-question exam, 60% pass mark
- Valid for 3 years
Cost: £200-400 for exam, plus preparation courses £500-1,500
Ideal for: New bid writers, bid coordinators, anyone entering the profession
APMP Practitioner Level
Overview:
- Intermediate certification
- Demonstrates practical application of proposal skills
- Requires submission of work samples
- Professional level recognition
Requirements:
- Foundation certification required
- Work samples demonstrating competence
- Written responses to scenarios
- Experience in the field
Cost: £400-600 for certification
Ideal for: Experienced bid writers seeking recognition
APMP Professional Level
Overview:
- Senior-level certification
- Strategic proposal management focus
- Peer assessment process
- Industry leadership recognition
Requirements:
- Practitioner certification
- Significant industry experience
- Professional portfolio
- Peer interview
Cost: £700-1,000
Ideal for: Bid managers, directors, senior professionals
UK Training Providers
Several organizations offer bid writing courses in the UK:
Bid Solutions
- Range of practical workshops
- Public courses and in-house training
- Focus on UK public sector
- www.bidsolutions.co.uk
Strategic Proposals
- APMP accredited training
- Foundation to Professional levels
- UK-focused content
- www.strategicproposals.com
AM Bid
- Practical bid writing workshops
- NHS and public sector focus
- In-house training available
- www.ambid.co.uk
Course Types Compared
| Type | Duration | Cost | Best For | |------|----------|------|----------| | Online self-paced | 10-20 hours | £100-500 | Flexible learners, basics | | Virtual classroom | 1-2 days | £400-800 | Remote workers, interaction | | Classroom course | 1-3 days | £500-1,500 | Immersive learning, networking | | In-house training | Custom | £2,000-5,000 | Teams, tailored content | | Mentoring/coaching | Ongoing | £100-200/hour | Personal development |
What Good Courses Cover
Core Content
- Understanding procurement and tendering
- Requirements analysis and compliance
- Bid/no-bid decision making
- Answer planning and structuring
- Persuasive writing techniques
- Evidence and proof points
- Review processes
- Submission and follow-up
Advanced Topics
- Win strategy development
- Competitive positioning
- Pricing strategy
- Graphics and visualization
- Team leadership
- Continuous improvement
- AI in bid writing
Choosing the Right Course
Consider Your Goals
- New to bid writing? Start with Foundation level courses
- Want certification? Choose APMP-accredited training
- Team training? Consider in-house programs
- Specific sector? Look for specialized courses (NHS, construction, IT)
Evaluate Providers
- Credentials - Are trainers experienced bid professionals?
- Content - Does it cover what you need?
- Format - Does the delivery method suit you?
- Reviews - What do past participants say?
- Support - Is ongoing support available?
Complementary Development
Beyond formal courses, develop through:
Practice and Feedback
- Write more bids with deliberate focus
- Request feedback on all submissions
- Learn from wins and losses
- Review competitors' approaches (when visible)
Reading and Resources
- APMP Body of Knowledge
- Industry publications
- Bid writing guides
- Procurement publications
Community Involvement
- APMP UK Chapter events
- Industry conferences
- Online forums and groups
- Peer networking
ROI of Bid Writing Training
Calculate the return on your training investment:
Example:
- Training cost: £1,500
- Current win rate: 20%
- Post-training win rate: 30%
- Annual bids: 20
- Average contract value: £100,000
Before training: 20 × 20% = 4 wins = £400,000 After training: 20 × 30% = 6 wins = £600,000 Improvement: £200,000 additional revenue ROI: 13,233% return on £1,500 investment
Even modest improvements pay for training many times over.
Technology Training
Modern bid writing increasingly involves technology. Consider training on:
- Proposal software platforms
- RFP automation tools
- AI writing assistants
- Content management systems
Our rfp.quest platform includes onboarding and training to maximize your efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which bid writing qualification is best?
APMP certification is the most widely recognized globally. Start with Foundation level, then progress to Practitioner and Professional as you gain experience. UK-specific courses may also be valuable for public sector work.
How long does APMP certification take?
Foundation can be achieved in 2-4 weeks of preparation plus exam. Practitioner requires compiling work samples over 1-3 months. Professional level involves extensive preparation over 3-6 months.
Can I learn bid writing online?
Yes, many providers offer online courses ranging from self-paced modules to live virtual classrooms. Online learning suits flexible schedules but may offer less networking opportunity than in-person training.
Are bid writing courses tax deductible?
In the UK, training costs for employees are typically tax deductible for businesses. Self-employed individuals may be able to claim if the training maintains or updates existing skills. Consult a tax advisor for your specific situation.
What if I can't afford formal training?
Start with free resources: our bid writing guide, APMP's free materials, and government procurement guides. Practice on real bids, seek feedback, and invest in formal training when budget allows.
Ready to develop your bid writing skills? Explore our resources at rfp.quest, or start your free trial to experience AI-powered bid writing tools alongside your training.