As we enter an extended period of lockdown, I hope you are all keeping well and also managing to find a good balance and routine in what continues to be a challenging time for us all. Beyond the immediate priority of protecting public health and looking after each other lies the importance of protecting the economy and that is where I am proud that you are making a significant contribution.
Only one month since the first stage of lockdown, it is easy to forget everything that we have achieved together and in a relatively short space of time. This includes the launch of our dedicated coronavirus business support resources #HereforBusiness and helping people into essential work through Employ GM, where we have filled vital support roles in Nightingale Hospitals in Manchester and Preston. There are also the significant changes we have undergone both in how we operate and communicate with each other, and with our partners and clients, which should not be underplayed.
In my recent webinar, I touched on the Group’s Business Plan and 3-Year Strategy and while there will be time for reflection on some of the targets we set ourselves pre Covid-19, certain elements like our commitment to digital delivery, will become increasingly important. Already, colleagues across the business are finding innovative ways to deliver our services differently. For example, IDG, CFA and TMI have all moved quickly to provide services to clients using technology, including assessments and training. These are changes that have initially proven successful and will likely be retained into the future as an option. We are proactively mapping and accelerating this kind of activity across the Group.
We have now launched GC Consulting (GCC), using our collective expertise to deliver better economic growth outcomes for organisations and places right across the UK. It is a great example of the way that we will continue to use our experience, knowledge and skills to support as many people as possible.
Led by Mike Palin, GCC has already won its first piece of work, with one of the initial areas of focus on understanding the economic and social implications of Covid-19 and what actions organisations and places should now be considering to assist their eventual recovery – which also reflects the theme of ‘build back better’. Much of this insight and scenario planning is informing our own thinking - driving conversations with commissioners and shaping our business development activity as we look ahead to the Group’s long-term future and growth. Therefore, in this update I thought it would be particularly important to provide an overview of our current bidding opportunities.
Business development outlook
While Covid-19 has seen the cancellation of the DIT Trade procurement process, in most business areas it largely resulted in delays and some of these are now starting to come through. Current live bids include:
- SME business support consultancy services on behalf of West Yorkshire Combined Authority
- A Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) Consultancy project looking at future support for those aged 50+
- Two Ministry of Justice Probation Delivery Partner contracts covering Greater Manchester and the North West
- National Citizen Service proposals for a revised Summer and Autumn proposal
- Two grant-based submissions to the Youth Foundation from our Skills and Employability divisions respectively.
We are also preparing for several known future bidding opportunities:
- Two further Ministry of Justice tenders, one to run Resettlement Hubs in the North West and Yorkshire and Humber and the other a Dynamic Framework to deliver interventions to offenders.
- The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) future national Self Employment Support service which builds on GC’s existing ‘Enterprising You’ service.
- The DWP are relaunching their Umbrella Agreement which we intend to bid for, this is the mechanism they use to choose the future providers of their contracted service and was the approach used for both Work and Health Programme and our own IPES service.
- GMCA is also about to start procurement of a new skills brokerage and £30m of Skills for Growth delivery funding.
Additionally, we have submitted - through Marketing Manchester - a funding application to Innovate UK. This is to create an innovative digital resource and web platform to showcase inspirational content from over 200 tourism businesses that will virtually educate Greater Manchester’s communities and visitors of all ages about GM’s culture & heritage, allow GM businesses to reach significantly larger audiences and provide downloadable and bookable products and 'must visit' itinerary listings to use once Covid-19 lockdown is lifted, integrating transport, ticketing and visitor information.
Finally, a brief reminder that we have added to the Coronavirus Hub with the questions you raised during the recent staff webinar. This includes a dedicated section to address your FAQs on the Government furlough scheme, which they recently announced would be extended until the end of June.
The Staff Hub is fully accessible to all staff, including those of you on furlough, so please do continue to access this for the latest Group information and guidance on Covid-19, as well as health and wellbeing support. We continue to add more resources to support you with keeping in touch and staying social, and would invite you to suggest any helpful links or further information you would like to see.