Description and scope
This guidance relates to the procurement of products, services, or works where there are opportunities to implement employment, skills and training (EST) outcomes and deliver social impact.
It provides relevant procurement guidance, aligned with the Procurement Journey, and includes example text and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in Annex A.
Sustainable Procurement Tools
This guidance is part of a series of guides which support the sustainable procurement duty tools to help public bodies embed sustainability into their procurement processes. This guidance should be considered alongside the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014: Statutory Guidance.
Employment, skills and training is inextricably linked with equality and fair work, as community benefits and Fair Work First in procurement are key mechanisms to achieve equality and reduce inequality. Any employment, skills and training achieved through public procurement will aim to promote equality and reduce inequality.
Separate guidance is available on the following topics which should be considered alongside one another:
Climate change
Procurements identified as having a climate impact such as utilities contracts, or those with a substantial waste, materials or water consumption element, may provide an opportunity to focus community benefits requirements on green initiatives. For example, job creation and skills development in green skills, protecting natural resources, reducing carbon emissions, enhanced community spaces, or building awareness of sustainability, conservation and reducing waste through education and community engagement, etc. Separate guidance is available on Climate change, Waste, Materials and Water.
Users of this guidance are encouraged to complete the Introduction to Sustainable Public Procurement and Fair Work First in Procurement e-learning modules, available from the Sustainable Procurement Tools website.
The Sustainability Test is a self-assessment tool designed to help buyers embed relevant and proportionate sustainability requirements consistently in the development of contracts and frameworks. The Sustainability Test includes the following question:
Description of risk or opportunity
Is there scope to:
- generate employment, skills and training opportunities and target these for individuals from underrepresented or disadvantaged groups (including priority groups) and those furthest from the labour market?
- target opportunities to develop trade skills, including green skills or upskill the suppliers’ existing workforce?
- create paid work placements, apprenticeships or internships including for priority groups?
In considering the above, buyers may also wish to have regard to local labour‑market conditions, including levels of economic inactivity, where this is relevant to the nature and location of the contract
Examples of opportunities
Depending on the individual procurement, opportunities could be:
- including relevant community benefit clauses in the contract to promote equality and to reduce inequality by targeting recruitment and training at particular priority groups.
- Supporting access to employment for all individuals by asking bidders to describe their approach to progressive recruitment and how they will facilitate opportunities for individuals experiencing barriers to employment in line with No One Left Behind. For example, by engaging with Local Employability Partnerships (LEPs), employability services or Sector Based Skills Academies to allow access to training and skills for individuals already being supported and those looking for work
- developing the supply chain by asking bidders to confirm how subcontracting opportunities will be facilitated for SMEs (small and medium enterprises), the third sector, and supported businesses
- creating quality employment through the application of Fair Work First, including no inappropriate use of zero hours contracts, mandating payment of at least the real Living Wage and supporting progression routes for employees
- supporting skills and training through work placements for school pupils and further education students from disadvantaged groups; hosting career talks in schools or colleges; STEM education through school outreach programmes; and digital skills bootcamps for priority groups
- apprenticeships in coding, cybersecurity, or data analytics, business administration, digital, finance, procurement, or human resources.
- industry recognised qualifications (accredited by a nationally recognised professional institution or awarding body) such as ITIL or Qualifications Scotland (SVQs) for cleaning and support services, building maintenance / services, vehicle repair and maintenance, etc
- for construction-related contracts, working with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) to set appropriate target figures. For example, for apprenticeships and trainees, jobs created, training courses undertaken and qualifications achieved, etc.
- Advertise construction-specific courses and new entrant vacancies on Go Construct Careers
- helping to create and sustain employment for disabled or disadvantaged persons by reserving a contract for supported businesses or requiring it to be delivered through a supported employment programme.
Knowledge Checklist
- Complete appropriate e-learning: Introduction to Sustainable Public Procurement and Fair Work First in Procurement
- Consult related procurement guidance
- Undertake Life cycle impact mapping and Sustainability Test to help embed relevant and proportionate sustainability requirements in your contract or framework