157 Group accepted onto Government Digital Services Framework
The 157 Group, leading a consortium of 12 member colleges, has been successful in winning a place on the Supplier Framework for the Government’s Digital Service to design and deliver basic digital training. This is the first supplier framework that the 157 Group has bid for and is part of our new, strategic approach to collective business development in support of generating new, diversified revenues for member colleges. It is a game-changing development for how the 157 Group is doing business and is a direct result of the new strategic direction our members are pursuing.
The Supplier Framework will be used by pan-Government agencies to procure digital training and support aimed at reducing the number of digitally excluded people in the UK. It represents a great opportunity for 157 Group colleges to leverage their considerable expertise, allowing them to provide high quality training to those excluded from accessing digital services.
The 157 Group’s strategy is aligned with the government’s broader digital objectives and we understand the important role that digital services can play in increasing independence, employability and general life prospects. As a network of colleges based throughout the country we are uniquely able to provide a national, co-ordinated and learner-focused offer to individuals who will greatly benefit from this practical training.
157 Group Chief Executive Ian Pretty has said: “We are delighted to have been accepted onto the GDS Supplier Framework to design and deliver basic digital skills training. It is a great opportunity for our colleges to demonstrate the important role they can play in delivering high quality and value-adding services that will enrich the lives and prospects of people across the country. We look forward to developing strong relationships with key government departments and to supporting their digital training needs.
This is the first of this type of bid we have entered and we are gratified that we have been successful so quickly. This highlights the 157 Group’s new strategic aims and the exciting direction our members are taking us as we explore increased collective commercial activity and a new way of doing business.”