Employer Engagement for Apprenticeships

Southwark Council is seeking Providers of employer prospecting and lead creation to develop the council’s relationships with local businesses, to generate interest in apprenticeship creation among those businesses and to refer interested parties to the council’s in-house business support service for further action.

The Provider shall have: - an excellent track record in employer engagement - demonstrable understanding of apprenticeships, specifically the business case for apprenticeships across a range of sectors and business sizes ranging from micro to medium - a clear understanding of the recruitment and retention challenges faced by employers, both generally and concerning apprenticeships specifically, and of the needs of employers and apprentices; - proven delivery in lead creation and relationship management; - excellent partnership working skills.

A track record of delivering similar services in Southwark would also be preferable.

The Contract The contract will be delivered on a payment by results basis and will have a maximum value of £65,000 over two years, to engage Southwark-based SMEs deliver 600 referrals over two years of which no fewer than 85% will convert to first-meetings with the council’s business support service.

Referrals shall be: - Southwark-based SMEs - Employers with an active interest in creating an apprenticeship - Vacancies appropriate for delivery as an apprenticeship