Apprenticeships and Education Services Framework
Framework Description
The Apprenticeships and Education Services Framework (reference NOE.3009) is being procured by Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust in a three-way collaboration with NOE CPC and NHS London Procurement Partnership. It will be an open framework for clinical and non-clinical apprenticeships and education services across four lots, with an estimated value of £2.625 billion. Contracts are expected to run from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2034.
Context & Use Case
NHS organisations and other eligible public sector bodies will use it to buy apprenticeship standards and End Point Assessment, clinical training and CPD, corporate and leadership learning, and digital and data skills. Awards can be made with or without competition. There is no cap on supplier numbers, and suppliers pay a 1% fee on framework activity, with no fee to join or compete.
Scope of Services
Lot 1: Apprenticeships and End Point Assessment, covering all standards approved by Skills England Lot 2: Clinical Education Services, including CPD and clinical skills training Lot 3: Non-Clinical Education Services, including leadership, management and professional qualifications Lot 4: Digital and Data Education Services, including cyber security and data literacy
Lots
See framework link
Who Can Apply
Suits apprenticeship training providers, End Point Assessment organisations, clinical educators, leadership and professional trainers, and digital skills providers. The notice flags all four lots as suitable for SMEs and VCSEs. The procurement is at the planned stage, so suppliers should prepare their bid now.
Buyer Benefits
Trusts can buy any approved apprenticeship standard, including standards approved during the term, plus wider education, from one route. Direct award or competition gives flexibility, the open framework keeps the supplier base current, and the fee is paid by suppliers rather than passed on to buyers.
Next Steps
Read the planned procurement notice on Find a Tender (2026/S 000-094171). The tender notice is expected around 17 November 2026, with a submission deadline of 22 December 2026 and award expected around 1 March 2027. Admission is pass/fail against mandatory requirements for each lot, so check your approvals, registrations and quality evidence now.
How Athena Can Help
Admission is pass/fail, so one missed requirement can cost you a place. Athena's bid planning and compliance checks map every mandatory requirement by lot and check your return well before the 22 December 2026 deadline.
Our lot selection and bid/no-bid advice helps you decide which of the four lots to enter, and our application help for training providers prepares the evidence, policies and certificates in good time, so your team can focus on the lots that matter most to your business.
