The primary purpose of this preliminary market engagement exercise (“Exercise”) is for the Education Authority (EA) to seek supplier views and feedback on potential approaches for the provision of a learning provider for Part-time Pathways to Employment Programme in line with the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC). Further information on the project is detailed within Background Information Section of this document. The EA is seeking to appoint suppliers to provide professional formation programmes in youth work for an undergraduate programme for an initial 20-30 students, for a period of study of up to 4-years. Within the contract period, further cohorts may be added, and we would anticipate that any contract would be extended until participants have completed their studies though the EA give no guarantees of numbers of participants. Secondly, a Postgraduate programme is required for 15 students, a master’s programme for 5-10 students which meet the JNC Qualification standards for a professional career in youth work. As part of this procurement exercise the Education Authority is seeking to understand the market capacity to provide a range of education opportunities to support the development of a suitably qualified and highly skilled workforce. This pre-market engagement exercise is intended to establish capacity, delivery models and commercial arrangements that may be available. The EA Pathways to Employment Programme will require the supplier to address and provide their approach to the below requirements. • Education Authority requirements in relation to our Pathways Scheme • Capacity to offer university places for an initial cohort of between 20-30 undergraduate places over the next 4 years. • Availability to provide up to 15 Postgraduate study places • Capacity to facilitate 5-10 Masters places • Cohort-based provision with greater flexibility and value for money than individual enrolment • Flexibility to offer a block period of teaching to support part-time study towards the successful completion of modules • Course tuition to be facilitated at EA premises for a minimum of 50% of programme delivery • Residential teaching as an option to support academic progress • Entry requirements in relation to EA Youth Service and the designated university stipulated • Specific course content relating to the Northern Ireland context included • Content of course modules, student placements and required finance agreed for each programme in advance of programme start date

Procurement Act 2023

Suppliers are invited to attend a PME Presentation to be delivered via MS Teams on Wednesday 22 October 2026, time to be confirmed. If your organisation would like to attend, please provide contract details of your nominated attendees to via email to [email protected] by 3pm on Monday 19 October to allow us to issue invites.