As part of the Government’s 2012 action plan for jobs initiative, FÁS is administering the Labour Market Education & Training Fund (LMETF) under which 20 000 000 EUR has been committed by the Department of education & skills through the National Training Fund. The aim of the LMETF is to provide a range of quality, relevant education & training interventions for up to 6 500 individuals who are long term unemployed. Under the eligibility criteria of the LMETF, all unemployed participants must be pre-approved by the Department of Social Protection before they can participate in the programme. The LMETF will be cofinanced by the European Social Fund (ESF).

The concept of the LMETF is that funding will be utilised to provide solutions to the needs of both unemployed individuals and employers within the context of four themes and across ten (10) regions.

— Three themes supporting occupational clusters where demand and vacancies exist within labour market sectors,

— A fourth theme focusing on the specific needs of people under 25 who are unemployed assisting them to access and/or return to the Labour Market.

There are 2 stages in this tender process:

— Stage one: pre-qualification,

— Stage two: project proposals.

In the first stage, FÁS is seeking to establish a panel of pre-qualified Contractors consisting of innovative education and training providers who will propose programmes for the Labour Market Education & Training Fund (LMETF). This fund may be branded at a future date.

In the second stage, project proposals will be invited from pre-qualified providers that will seek to deliver quality education and training solutions to individuals who are unemployed through increasing their skills profile and matching them to employer’s requirements. At this stage, FÁS will also outline how the proposed solutions will be assessed and the model for the funding which will seek outcome-based deliverables within a framework of compliance-based accountability.

The LMETF will be cofinanced by the European Social Fund (ESF) for appropriate elements of this funding programme. The contractor will be required to adhere to specific National and European procurement requirements and regulations relating to ESF funding which will be detailed at proposal stage.

Interested parties, wishing to become qualified to propose a programme under this fund should submit their applications, to the address listed in the application form.

Funding will only be allocated to pre - qualified contractors. Other interested parties who wish to submit a proposal under this fund, should consider partnering with a pre-qualified contractor to make a joint proposal. In this regard, following the application process, a notice will be published on the FÁS web site listing successful applicants who have indicated that they would be willing to consider partnering other parties.

Important.

It is anticipated that invitations to submit proposals (2nd stage of the process) will be issued during the month of June 2012.

Only successful applications received before 5:00 pm. Friday, 8.6.2012, will be processed in time to qualify for the above invitation.

In the event that the fund is not exhausted by this first call for proposals, further calls may be issued in the second half of the year.

To facilitate this possibility, the application process for the panel will remain open until September 30th. The panel may be reopened, periodically, after that date to allow additional applications.

Note: to register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the eTenders web site at http://www.etenders.gov.ie/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=429912.