To help ease the burden on potential subcontractors of bidding for contracts, ERSA has developed a Standardised Expression of Interest Form. All potential and actual prime contractors are encouraged to use this form to seek information from potential subcontractors at the outset of negotiations. This is a standard form that is intended to be UK wide in its application. However, it has been adapted here for the specific Northern Ireland context.
The paper sets out the emerging position of ERSA, regarding the measures to enable a more effective interface between the employment and skills systems to benefit the long term unemployed. ERSA members should note that this paper is not intended as a final policy position. The thinking underway in this paper will also feed into ERSA’s recommendations as to future commissioning of employment related services provision from 2015.
The document highlights lessons learnt by the welfare to work sector through its experience of outsourced employment programmes commissioned on a payment by results basis and comments specifically on the potential interaction of the Ministry of Justice’s rehabilitation programme intentions with existing employment services.
The following brief paper sets out the issues, ideas and recommendations emerging from the Employment and Skills Roundtable discussion held with Stephen Timms and Gordon Marsden MPs and ERSA members on 29 January 2013.