About this Event
Are you interested in winning work with the Council or other public sector organisations?
If you're a local business, SME, start-up, social enterprise, or voluntary organisation and would like to understand how public sector procurement works, this free workshop is designed for you.
Many smaller businesses assume that public sector contracts are only awarded to large national companies. In reality, councils and public sector organisations are actively seeking to engage with local suppliers and increase opportunities for SMEs.
This practical and jargon-free session will help you understand the fundamentals of public sector tendering and give you the confidence to compete for future opportunities.
Who Should Attend?
This workshop is ideal for:
- Micro businesses and sole traders
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
- Social enterprises and community organisations
- Voluntary sector organisations
- Local suppliers looking to diversify their customer base
- Businesses with little or no experience of public sector tendering
What You'll Learn
During the session, we will cover:
✅ How public sector procurement works
✅ Where to find opportunities
✅ Understanding procurement thresholds and routes to market
✅ How to register on tendering portals
✅ What buyers look for when evaluating bids
✅ Common tendering mistakes and how to avoid them
✅ Understanding Social Value and why it matters
✅ Tips for writing stronger responses
✅ Frameworks, Dynamic Markets and other routes into public sector work
✅ How to prepare your business before opportunities arise
Benefits of Attending
By the end of the workshop you will:
- Better understand how to access public sector opportunities
- Know where contracts are advertised
- Feel more confident in responding to tenders
- Understand the importance of social value and local impact
- Learn practical tips that can improve your chances of success
- Have the opportunity to ask questions directly to procurement professionals
Why Attend?
Public sector organisations spend millions of pounds each year on goods, services and works. They want to hear from diverse, innovative and local businesses that can help deliver value for communities.
Whether you have never bid for a contract before or want to improve your understanding of the process, this session will provide practical guidance to help you get started.
Event venue & nearby stays
St Helens Town Hall, Victoria Square, St Helens, United Kingdom
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