ITT - Digital and AI Skills Training - UID 321
A practical guide to understanding what the buyer really wants and how to build a winning response.
Don't Just Focus on Skills
What Historic England is really buying isn't just a training programme.
They're looking for a partner to help them transform how they work with digital and AI technologies.
Yes, the contract involves designing and delivering training.
But the real goal is to accelerate the responsible adoption of these technologies across the workforce.
The contract covers developing a comprehensive Digital and AI Capability Programme as part of their AI Adoption workstream. You'll be assessing current digital and AI maturity, identifying skill gaps and providing learning opportunities that support sustainable behaviour change.
Think About the Bigger Picture
If I were evaluating bids, I'd be looking for more than just training credentials.
I'd want to see a clear understanding of how digital and AI technologies can reshape an organisation like Historic England.
Consider the broader impact.
How will your programme contribute to Historic England's overall mission and priorities?
Your response should weave this into the narrative.
Collaboration is Key
Historic England has made it clear that collaboration is central to this contract.
You'll be working closely with the AI Adoption Manager, the Learning & Development team and key stakeholders.
Your approach should emphasise how you'll foster strong working relationships.
Think about how you can integrate feedback mechanisms and ensure that the programme evolves with learner needs and technological advancements.
Evidence Always Beats Promises
One thing I noticed when I worked in the public sector was that almost every bidder claimed to deliver an excellent service.
Very few proved it.
If I were writing this tender, I'd include evidence of past successes in similar environments.
- Case studies from previous digital or AI training programmes
- Testimonials from satisfied clients
- Metrics showing improved capability or adoption rates
- Examples of flexible programme delivery and adaptation
Pay Attention to What They Say
Historic England is clear about their priorities.
The programme needs to be scalable and responsive to developments in AI technology.
They've also highlighted a focus on increasing confidence and practical application of digital and AI tools.
Your response should address these points directly.
How will you ensure that the programme scales effectively?
What strategies will you use to keep it aligned with technological advancements?
Sustainability Matters
This isn't just about a short-term training burst.
Historic England wants to see sustainable behaviour change.
I'd be looking for strategies that embed learning and development into the organisation's culture.
Think about how you can support this through follow-up activities, mentoring or embedding AI champions within teams.
Holding Standards Over the Whole Term
A three-year programme isn't just about what you deliver on day one.
Consistency and adaptability over the duration are crucial.
If I were writing this, I'd outline how I plan to monitor and maintain standards.
- Regular reviews and updates to training content
- Mechanisms for feedback and iteration
- Strategies for managing staff turnover and knowledge retention
One Thing I'd Keep Reminding Myself
Historic England's workforce is diverse.
They need a programme that resonates with individuals at different levels of digital and AI maturity.
I'd keep asking: "How does this programme meet the needs of everyone, from novice to expert?"
Your response should demonstrate an understanding of this diversity and offer tailored learning pathways.
Common mistakes
Avoid submissions that:
- Overlook the importance of collaboration with internal teams
- Fail to provide evidence of past success in similar projects
- Ignore the need for scalability and responsiveness to AI developments
- Offer generic training solutions without tailoring to Historic England's needs
- Neglect to address sustainable behaviour change
- Provide a static programme with no plan for updates or iteration
- Disregard the diverse digital maturity levels within the workforce
My Final Thoughts
Historic England is looking for a partner who can help them navigate the evolving digital and AI landscape.
They want more than just training.
They want a programme that will support their transformation and align with their organisational priorities.
The contract is valued at £180,000 and runs from 31 Oct 2026 to 3 Oct 2029.
With a clear emphasis on quality and sustainability, your written submission needs to reflect that.
Thanks for reading.
I hope this guide has helped make public procurement feel a little less daunting. If it has, then it's done its job.
P.S. Got a question?
If you've got a question about anything you've read, or you're stuck on a tender, just send me an email.
Whether it's a quick question or you simply need pointing in the right direction, I'm always happy to help if I can.
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Our guides are written using publicly available procurement information, including contract notices and published tender documents where available. They are designed to help suppliers understand the buyer's likely priorities and think more strategically about their approach. They are not based on any bidder's confidential submission, bespoke bid strategy or non-public procurement information.