Adult Skills and Learning DPS
Framework Description
RM6348 Adult Skills and Learning is a dynamic purchasing system run by the Government Commercial Agency (GCA, formerly Crown Commercial Service). It gives public sector organisations access to regional and national providers of publicly funded adult and young adult training. It is a single-lot DPS that runs until 27 October 2028, with no extension. Suppliers can apply to join while it is open.
Context & Use Case
Combined authorities, local councils, colleges and government departments use it to commission training for people aged 19 and over. Typical aims are helping learners into work, progressing in their jobs or moving to further learning such as apprenticeships. The DPS can be used with all types of adult education funding, including the Adult Education Budget. Buyers run their own competitions among admitted providers.
Scope of Services
Literacy, numeracy and digital skills Vocational training and qualifications ESOL courses Employability and career progression training Apprenticeship preparation Continuing professional development Bespoke training programmes
Lots
Single lot
Who Can Apply
Suits independent training providers, colleges, adult education specialists and employability providers, from small regional firms to national organisations. As a live DPS, it accepts new suppliers until it closes, so providers can apply to join now.
Buyer Benefits
Authorities that hold devolved adult skills funding need to commission providers quickly and fairly. They value a pre-qualified pool of regional and national providers, the ability to run targeted competitions for local priorities, and a route that fits funding rules.
Next Steps
Read the RM6348 page on the GCA website and follow its instructions for suppliers to apply to join, completing the selection questionnaire. Have Ofsted or quality evidence, financial information and adult learning outcomes ready. Once admitted, watch for competitions from combined authorities and councils in your regions before 27 October 2028.
How Athena Can Help
Athena can get you onto RM6348 through our DPS joining service: we prepare the selection answers, policies and evidence, and compliance-check the application before submission.
Once you are admitted, each authority runs its own competition with its own priorities. Our skills tender writers build responses around learner outcomes and local need, and our bid/no-bid support helps you focus on the regions where you can win and deliver. We also offer a Bid Health Check on draft responses.
