The government’s workshops to help civil society organisations win and deliver public service contracts are now open for registration.
Charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises are being invited by the Cabinet Office to sign up for places on the year-long programme of two day ‘masterclasses’, designed to help develop commercial skills for delivering public services.
The classes are designed and provided by a cross-sector partnership of Acevo, Avanta, Capita, Ingeus, Navca, NCVO, Serco and Social Enterprise UK, and are the first in a national programme funded by the Office for Civil Society. Pro-bono support has come from the private sector partners.
Sessions will incorporate case studies, practical tools and the direct experiences of experts to guide organisations through what is required to win and deliver public service contracts.
Specific areas in which they aim to improve key skills include writing winning bids; adjusting to changes in the tender process; developing consortia, and financial skills such as how to profile and manage risks.
In December 2012, the Cabinet Office published a progress update, Making it easier for civil society organisations to work with the state, which outlined government initiatives such as Big Society Capital and the Social Outcomes Fund. These masterclasses follow on from its Commissioning Academy, set up to help commissioners work with voluntary sector groups.
Minister for civil society Nick Hurd described the masterclasses as "the latest in a series of initiatives which we hope will open more opportunities for charities and social enterprises than ever before".
He added: “The voluntary sector has a vital role to play in public service delivery. Their knowledge of those who depend on public services and their ability to inspire trust and give a voice to people who need it most, means we must involve them more actively.”
The first events will be held in London and Manchester with further classes taking place regionally from March 2013, full details of which will be announced shortly.
Interested organisations can book their place via the masterclass event listings here.
