Apprentice Worker Agency

Apprenticeship Worker Agency services are being contracted to supply a comprehensive employer and support framework for the Northumbrian Water Group (NWL) and Essex & Suffolk Water. The supplier will act as the legal employer for apprentices, issuing employment contracts, maintaining statutory records, and managing all payroll and fiscal obligations throughout the duration of each apprenticeship. This arrangement is designed to ensure a seamless transition for apprentices into the workplace, foster their professional development, and sustain the organisation’s long‑term talent pipeline.

Key responsibilities include full HR administration, compliance with UK apprenticeship funding rules and employment legislation, and proactive support for apprentice wellbeing and welfare. The contractor will conduct regular progress reviews, collaborate closely with the Early Careers Team, hiring managers, and external training providers, and deliver robust management information and performance reporting. Services must be provided consistently across both the Northeast and Essex & Suffolk operating areas, with an expected recruitment volume of roughly 72 to 77 apprentices per annum on an ongoing basis.

The successful provider will demonstrate exceptional customer service skills, deep industry knowledge, and a proven track record of retaining high apprenticeship completion rates. In addition to supporting mobilisation, onboarding, and day‑to‑day administration, the supplier must adhere to UK apprenticeship funding rules and employment legislation.

Northumbrian Water Group (NWL) is committed to developing future talent through a high-quality apprenticeship programme which supports workforce planning, succession management and skills development across the organisation.
We require a supplier to provide Apprenticeship Agency Services across both Northumbrian Water and Essex & Suffolk Water. The supplier will act as the employer of apprentices on behalf of NWL and provide employment, payroll, HR administration, compliance and apprentice support services throughout the duration of the apprenticeship programme.
The successful supplier will work collaboratively with NWL's Early Careers Team, hiring managers and training providers to ensure apprentices receive a positive experience and are supported to successfully complete their programmes.
Service Requirements
The supplier will be required to:
• Employ apprentices on behalf of NWL through an apprenticeship agency model.
• Issue and maintain employment contracts and associated employment documentation.
• Undertake payroll administration and statutory payments.
• Manage apprentice employment records.
• Provide HR guidance and employee relations support relating to apprentices.
• Ensure compliance with apprenticeship funding rules and employment legislation.
• Support apprentice wellbeing and welfare.
• Conduct regular reviews and progress monitoring with apprentices.
• Liaise with apprenticeship training providers where required.
• Provide management information and performance reporting.
• Support mobilisation and onboarding of new apprentices.
• Deliver services across both the Northeast and Essex & Suffolk operating areas.
The supplier must demonstrate excellent customer service, strong apprenticeship sector knowledge and the ability to support the continued growth of NWL's apprenticeship programme.
Objectives
The objectives of this contract are to:
• Provide a compliant and effective apprenticeship employment service.
• Deliver a positive apprentice experience.
• Support apprentice retention and successful completion rates.
• Ensure consistent support for apprentices and managers.
• Provide accurate and timely payroll and administration services.
• Deliver robust reporting and management information.
• Support NWL's commitment to early careers and future talent development.
INDICATIVE APPRENTICE NUMBERS FROM 2027
The indicative apprentice numbers set out in the table below are based on the workforce planning volumes agreed for 2026 and are provided to give potential suppliers an indication of the anticipated scale of apprenticeship delivery. These figures are estimates only and do not represent a commitment or guarantee of recruitment. The actual number of apprentices employed and enrolled onto apprenticeship programmes will be determined by organisational requirements, workforce planning priorities, budget availability and prevailing business needs. Consequently, the final volumes may be higher or lower than those indicated.
yr 1 1st June 27 - 31st May 28 72-77
yr2 1st June 28 - 31st May 29 77
yr3 1st June 29 - 31st May 30 77
yr4 1st June 30 - 31st May 31 77
yr5 1st June 31 - 31st May 32 77
yr6 1st June 32 - 31st May 33 77
yr7 1st June 33 - 31st May 34 77
yr8 1st June 34 - 31st May 35 77
A full scope document has been made available within this FTS

Contract location: UKC
Communication: Applicants are asked to note that this procurement process will be conduced electronically with all documents and communication being managed through the Northumbrian Water e- Sourcing Spend Management portal called 'Ariba' (https://s1.ariba.com).
Enquiry deadline: 2026-10-28T23:59:59Z
Deadline for requests to participate: 2026-10-28T23:59:59Z
Submission address and any special instructions: Applicants are asked to note that this procurement process will be conduced electronically with all documents and communication being managed through the Northumbrian Water e- Sourcing Spend Management portal called 'Ariba' (https://s1.ariba.com).
Tenders may be submitted electronically: notAllowed
Award decision date (estimated): 2027-02-27T23:59:59Z

Lot: 1
Lot value (estimated)
24.479.974,98 GBP excluding VAT
29.375.969,98 GBP including VAT
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals: If SLA's are maintained and vendor performance sufficient then extensions will be offered

Award criteria:

Name	Type	Weighting
Price - Commission/Charge Rates	cost	60%
Quality	quality	40%

Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted: En