Workshops lift lid on public sector contracts
BUSINESSES are being offered the chance to attend free workshops to help them learn how to win public sector contracts.
The award-winning procurement training events are being provided by the Cheshire East Council’s arms-length Skills and Growth Company and are targeted at local businesses in Cheshire East.
The aim is to show small and medium-size enterprises how to get started in the bid process and how to produce a tender for both local and central government work.
The workshops, which will be held in Crewe, are suitable for businesses new to the tendering process or looking to improve how they tender.
Coun Paul Bates, cabinet member for finance and communities, said: “Tendering for a public sector contract can seem a daunting prospect but these free workshops provide excellent, practical guidance to help businesses develop their bids. We are always interested in receiving tenders from local businesses and organisations and these free workshops can significantly help to simplify and demystify the process. We are keen to support local firms and businesses and work to ensure that as many of our quality services as possible are provided locally while continuing to deliver value for money for the people of Cheshire East. Cheshire East spends in the region of £260m of public money annually on contracts, supplies and services with third parties.”
The ‘Let’s get started’ workshop will be held on Tuesday, November 7; and the ‘invitation to tender’ process will be on Tuesday, November 14.
The first workshop is an introduction to the ten- dering process, which will show how the framework for public sector tendering operates, how to navigate it and how to prepare for tendering opportunities. The second will explain the best-practice procedures and structures that you should put in place to make sure your bids are as professional as possible and also how working in consortia can provide further opportunities.
Both workshops will take place at South Cheshire College, Dane Bank Avenue, Crewe, from 7.45am-11am.
Places are strictly limited and businesses are advised to attend both events in order to get the most benefit and understand the whole process.
To book a place, visit: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ public-service-procurement- workshops- tickets-38430726337 or email: info@skillsandgrowth.co. uk