Decision Maker:

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: February 23, 2026

Purpose:

Content: Salford City Council – Record of Decision   I Councillor Youd, Lead Member for Finance and Support Services and chairman of the Procurement Board, accept the recommendation of the Procurement Board and in exercise of the powers contained within the Council Constitution do hereby approve:   ·     to Award the Contract for Multiverse Apprenticeship Training Scheme, as detailed in the table below:   Detail required  Answers  Title/Description of Contracted Service/Supply/Project  Multiverse Apprenticeship Training Scheme  Procurement Reference numbers (DN and CR number supplied by Procurement)  N/A  Name of?Successful Contractor  Multiverse  Supplier Registration Number  (to be supplied by Procurement  10027474 (Company Registration No.)  10055902 (UK Provider Reference No.)  Proclass Classification No.  (to be completed by procurement)  171010  Type of organisation  (to be supplied by Procurement)  ??Private Limited Company?  Status of Organisation  (to be supplied by Procurement)  ??Non-SME?  Contract Value (£)  £349,000  Total contract value £ (including extensions)  £349,000  Contract Duration  24 months  Contract Start Date  ??02/03/2026?  Contract End Date  ??01/03/2028?  Optional Extension Period 1  0 months  Optional Extension Period 2  0 months  Who will approve each Extension Period?  ??Procurement Board Contact?Officer (Name & number)   Andrea Marshall 07591 352461 Lead Service Group  ??Resources and Transformation How the contract was procured?  (to be supplied by procurement)  ??Direct Award/ Call off?  Framework Details (where applicable)  (procurement body, framework reference & title, start/ end date  YPO Framework  Apprenticeships and Associated Training  Ref 1086  01.08.23 to 31.07.27  Funding Source  ??Revenue Budget?  Ethical Contractor (EC): Mayor’s Employment Charter  ??No?    EC: Committed to sign The Mayor’s Employment Charter    ??Yes?      EC: Committed to the principles outlined in the Mayor’s Employment charter  ??Yes?    EC: Accredited Living Wage Employer  ??No?    EC: Committed to becoming Accredited Living wage Employer  ??Yes?  ?      The Reasons are: 1. Meets Critical Workforce Skills Needs The programme equips employees with advanced digital, data, and AI skills—capabilities the council urgently needs to modernise services and meet future workforce demands.   2. Aligns With Key Council Strategies The award directly supports: The Apprenticeship Strategy The Council’s broader digital transformation ambitions   3. Prevents Skills Gaps and Organisational Risk Without this award, the council risks: Falling behind in data literacy and AI capability Reduced operational efficiency Disengagement from employees expecting development   4. Maximises Use of Apprenticeship Levy Funds The programme is fully levy?funded. If funds are not used within 18 months, they are returned to HMRC, meaning the council loses budget it has already contributed. Approving this award avoids levy clawback.   5. Unique and Tailored Provision Unavailable Elsewhere Multiverse offers a bespoke, employer?tailored programme aligned to SCC’s specific AI and data requirements—something our strategic providers can not currently provide.   6. Compliant and Low?Risk Procurement Route The YPO Framework is fully compliant with Public Contracts Regulations. A direct award is: Legally sound Aligned to Contractual Standing Orders Lower risk than running a full tender   7. Supports Organisational Transformation The programme enables: Modern service delivery Increased automation and efficiency Workforce adaptability and resilience Employees to focus on higher?value, resident?facing work   8. Contributes to Social Value Outcomes Multiverse brings: AI taster sessions and digital inclusion activity Support for Step into Salford and careers pathways Wider community learning benefits   9. Environmentally Responsible Delivery Training is primarily delivered online or blended, reducing travel and emissions. Multiverse also embeds ethical and sustainable AI practices.   10. Supports Employee Confidence, Culture & Career Progression The programme strengthens: Confidence in using digital and AI tools Employee development aligned to new and emerging job roles Internal culture of continuous learning   Options considered and rejected were: Strategic Partnership was considered but wasn’t able to offer the full suite of apprenticeships programmes required.   A full tender was considered but this is a unique offering from Multiverse, which will be customised to address out digital, data and AI requirements. It would mean multiple providers would be brought in and a disjointed offer to the cohort.   Assessment of Risk: There is a risk losing a critical opportunity to equip our employees with the advanced digital skills?required?in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. Those already engaged in the process will face disruption, potentially leading to disengagement and diminished confidence in our commitment to workforce development.??  ?  Without access to structured learning pathways and expert-led programmes, our organisation will fall behind in building capabilities such as data literacy, AI awareness, and digital problem-solving?skills that are essential for future-proofing our operations.??  ?  This gap not only?impacts?individual career progression but also compromises our ability to remain competitive and agile in delivering services aligned with modern digital standards.?    Enrolment of the next open cohorts are March 2026, and if we do not proceed by this date, we will not be able to fund this scheme this financial year and will result in delays to skills development and momentum for those already engaged.     The source of funding is: Apprenticeship Levy Funded       Legal Advice obtained: When commissioning contracts for the procurement of goods, services or the execution of works, the Council must comply with the requirements of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR) which require that contracting authorities treat candidates equally and in a non-discriminatory way and act in a transparent manner as well as its own Contractual Standing Orders (CSO’s) failing which the decision may be subject to legal challenge from an aggrieved provider. Whilst the new Procurement Act 2023 came into force 24th February 2025, the Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation’s Apprenticeships and Associated Training Framework was let under the PCR which remains the relevant regime for the apprenticeship services let under this framework.   CSO’s stipulate that where a suitable framework exists, this must be used unless there is an auditable reason not to do so.   The Council can comply with the requirements of the Regulations by carrying out its own procurement exercise or relying upon another contracting authority's compliant procurement exercise. In that regard, contracting authorities may procure goods, works or services through a ‘central purchasing body’ (and are deemed to have complied with the Regulations to the extent that the central purchasing body has). The definition of ‘central purchasing body’ includes an authority that concludes framework agreements for works, goods or services intended for one or more contracting authorities, here the YPO.   The proposed award of the contract follows a direct award from the framework which is fully compliant from a legislative perspective available for the Council (and other local authorities) to use. The Council should follow the procedure set out in the framework agreement to reduce any risk of challenge.   Financial Advice obtained: The report is seeking approval to award the contract with Multiverse Apprenticeship Training Scheme in line with the councils Apprenticeship strategy.   The council would like to partner with Multiverse to offer AI and data apprenticeships to staff. These programmes are designed to future-proof the workforce. The initiative aligns with Salford’s AI and Data Blueprint and supports the council’s broader goals of improving service delivery, enhancing operational efficiency, and fostering a culture of continuous learning.   This contract will be funded via the apprenticeship levy. As per the apprenticeship levy rules set out by His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, employers must pay into the apprenticeship levy if they have annual payroll £3 million. The contribution is 0.5% of the total payroll and should an organisation not use funding within 18 months of it its addition to the accumulating fund, it is returned to HMRC, so maximising the use of the apprenticeship levy is a key role to developing the workforce.   When considering value for money on this project, all apprenticeship programmes are a set fee, so added value and social value are considerations when choosing a supplier. Other strategic partners were considered, however, neither currently offers courses aligned with the needs, limiting the options within the existing supplier framework.??        Procurement Advice obtained: Contractual Standing Orders states that when commissioning goods and services the use of a suitable framework should be considered.     The route to market via direct award from YPO Apprenticeships and Associated Training Framework is compliant with the call-off procedure as laid out in the terms of the framework.    The YPO Apprenticeships and Associated Training Call-Off Order Form should be completed to form the contract between the parties and a Confirmation of Award From should be sent to YPO to confirm the details of the contract.     The details of the contract should be entered onto the Council’s contracts register and a contract award notice should be published on Contracts Finder / Find a Tender.    HR Advice obtained: There are a small number of apprenticeship providers who offer the apprenticeship standards, but Multiverse have been able to tailor a varied programme of all four standards of learning to specifically meet Salford City Council digital, data and AI requirements. Learning tailored to both employer and employee is of vital importance and provides us with an opportunity to ensure that we effectively equip our workforce with the skills, knowledge and behaviours needed for new and emerging job roles which is in-line with our culture, values and operating requirements.   We need to ensure that the apprenticeship programmes provide confidence to employees in the space of digital, data and AI, and that it is an extra ‘tool’ that equips them to do their roles more efficiently and effective where possible and driving service improvement across the organisation.    This award contributes towards the following apprenticeship strategy delivery objectives: ·     Utilising apprenticeships within learning now to future-proof the workforce.  ·     Develop the digital capabilities of our workforce through apprenticeships  ·     Providing opportunities for existing employees to utilise apprenticeships, to gain the professional skills needed both for now and in the future.     We are not currently returning any unspent levy funds to the treasury. Our levy contributions are based on a percentage of our overall payroll. Many employers’ levy contribution costs, like ours, are annually increasing due to their increasing payroll costs (cost of living) and rises in NLW, however the costs of apprenticeship courses have remained static and our overall annual starts are similar per year, so our risks of levy clawback are increasing. We are not at risk of overspending our apprenticeship levy or having to ration apprenticeships in other areas of the Council with this award at this stage.       Climate Change Implications obtained: The training programmes focus on digital, data and AI capability building for the existing workforce and are delivered primarily through blended and online learning approaches, which support reduced travel and associated emissions compared to traditional face?to?face delivery models.   Notwithstanding this, the Council recognises the broader environmental impacts associated with the use of digital technologies and artificial intelligence, including energy consumption. As part of contract management arrangements, the Council have engaged with the provider to understand how responsible, ethical and sustainable practices are embedded within programme design and delivery, including awareness of environmental considerations linked to AI technologies.   It is confirmed that learners will cover the ethical and responsibility issues surrounding the use of Generative AI in the organisation. Enhance personal productivity using digital technologies while adhering to ethical principles. And explore sustainable practices in the deployment and use of Generative AI technologies.   Multiverse track their CO2 emissions in their annual report and accounts each year, and have an Environmental, Social and Governance Policy, which covers climate change, natural resources, pollution and waste, and environment opportunity.   This programme will support the Council’s broader ambition to build digital capability in a way that is both innovative and responsible, ensuring employees are equipped to use emerging technologies in a manner that is conscious of environmental, ethical and social impacts.   The following documents have been used to assist the decision process: ·     Apprenticeship Strategy. ·     Procurement Policy. Contact Officer: Andrea Marshall Telephone number: 07591 352461   Please delete from the bullets below any which are not relevant This matter is not subject to consideration by another Lead Member.     Signed:    Cllr J Youd         Dated:    23 February 2026.               Lead Member   FOR DEMOCRATIC SERVICES USE ONLY:   *         This decision was published on 24 February 2026. *         This decision will come in force at 4.00 p.m. on 3 March 2026 unless it is called-in in accordance with the Decision Making Process Rules.