Co-ordinating and Delivering Apprenticeship Support and Knowledge for Schools

This procurement invitation supports the Government's ambition of 3 000 000 apprenticeship starts being undertaken by 2020. The Department is looking to award contracts with up to 4 organisations to continue the delivery, on a regional basis, of the National Apprenticeships Service's (NAS) “Apprenticeship Support and Knowledge in Schools” (ASK) project. https://amazingapprenticeships.com/about-ask/). ASK is a high profile, established programme and there are currently 3 delivery partners delivering across England in 4 regions, the North, Midlands, London and the South.

The Department for Education is extending the Apprenticeship Support and Knowledge programme for an additional 1 year of delivery (academic year 2024-25). The Department has taken this action in response to ongoing reviews into careers services for young people following the John Holman Review and the response of the Education Select Committee.

There was a considerable risk to information, advice and guidance on apprenticeships and technical education not being available if the contracts had come to an end on 31 July 2024. As such in order to ensure that young people, their parents and teachers continue to have access to this support, we are extending the ASK programme for one more year, with a possibility of a further +1 year (academic year 2025-26) subject to funding. This ensures that this valuable service continues to be available to young people and their schools and colleges