Learning and Development Skillnet Awards €1.5M Training Panel Contracts to Multiple Winners

Learning and Development (LD) Skillnet has awarded a panel of training providers across four lots with a total estimated value of €1.5 million. The contracts cover MSc Strategic Learning and Development, Diploma in Learning and Development Modules, Component and Special Purpose Awards, and Professional Development Courses. Winners include DCU Business School, Digital Learning Institute, Public Affairs Ireland, Train Remote, Leadrise Coaching, and numerous other training providers. The contracts run for 36 months.

Introduction

Learning and Development (LD) Skillnet, a public-law body operating in the education sector, has conducted an open procedure for the establishment of a panel of suitably qualified and experienced training providers. The panel will deliver a range of high-quality training programmes and services aligned with the LD Skillnet Strategy 2026–2028 and Skillnet Ireland's Empowering Enterprise 2026–2028 strategy.

The procurement is divided into four lots with a total estimated value of €1.5 million. The contracts run for 36 months. Multiple winners were selected across the lots, including DCU Business School, Digital Learning Institute, Public Affairs Ireland, Train Remote, Leadrise Coaching and Consulting, and many others.

The evaluation placed strong emphasis on quality (75% weighting), with cost accounting for 25%. All winners are SMEs.

Why This Contract Matters

This contract ensures that LD Skillnet members and clients have access to high-quality training programmes and services, supporting workforce development in Ireland.

This contract matters because it:

• Supports workforce development: Provides training for professionals
• Significant value: €1,500,000 estimated
• Long-term commitment: 36-month contracts
• Comprehensive scope: Four lots covering various training levels
• Multi-supplier: 18 winners across four lots
• Quality focus: Quality weighting of 75%
• SME participation: All winners are SMEs

Contract Timeline

• Previous notice: 3e2d1339-1007-4533-a31d-88a6dcdd17d6-01
• Winner chosen: 28 July 2026
• Contracts concluded: 4 September 2026
• Contract duration: 36 months
• Notice published: 9 September 2026 (OJ S 174/2026)

Contract Overview

LD Skillnet conducted an open procedure under the standard regime, governed by EU Directive 2014/24/EU.

Key features include:

• Four lots: MSc, Diploma, Component Awards, Professional Development Courses
• Estimated value: €1,500,000
• Duration: 36 months
• No framework agreement: Direct panel contracts
• Evaluation: Quality (75%), Cost (25%)
• Winners: 18 providers across four lots
• No subcontracting declared
• No EU funding
• All winners are SMEs

Key Contract Details

Detail	Information
Contracting authority	LD Skillnet
Contract title	Request for Tender (RFT) to establish a panel of suitably qualified and experienced training providers to deliver training Programmes on behalf of Learning and Development Skillnet 2026 - 2028
Main CPV	80000000 Education and training services
Additional CPVs	80300000, 80400000, 80570000, 80532000, 80530000, 80500000, 79633000
Procedure type	Open procedure (standard regime)
Legal basis	EU Directive 2014/24/EU
Estimated value (EUR)	€1,500,000.00
Number of lots	4
Contract duration	36 months
EU funding	None
Covered by GPA	Yes
Evaluation criteria	Quality (75%), Cost (25%)
Location	Ireland
Subcontracting	No
SME participation	All winners are SMEs

Lot Structure

Lot 1 – MSc Strategic Learning and Development

• Winner: DCU Business School
• Tenders received: 1

Lot 2 – Diploma in Learning and Development - Modules

• Winners (6): Digital Learning Institute, Train Remote, Leadrise Coaching and Consulting, Ward and Associates, HPC Global Learning Limited
• Tenders received: 7

Lot 3 – Component and Special Purpose Awards

• Winners (2): Pamela Skerritt, Carraig Safety Consultants Ltd
• Tenders received: 4

Lot 4 – Professional Development Courses

• Winners (11): Digital Learning Institute, Public Affairs Ireland, Fearless Forum Consulting, SOCraigh, Asymmetry ETQA Solutions, Leadrise Coaching and Consulting, Harvest Resources, The Power Within Training and Development, Pamela Skerritt, Carraig Safety Consultants, HPC Global Learning
• Tenders received: 14

Lot Summary Table

Lot	Title	Winners	Tenders
1	MSc Strategic Learning and Development	DCU Business School	1
2	Diploma in Learning and Development - Modules	6	7
3	Component and Special Purpose Awards	2	4
4	Professional Development Courses	11	14
Total		18

Winners Summary

Supplier	Lots Won	Size
DCU Business School	1	SME
Digital Learning Institute	2, 4	Small
Train Remote	2	Micro
Leadrise Coaching and Consulting Ltd.	2, 4	Micro
Ward and Associates	2	Micro
HPC Global Learning Limited	2, 4	Micro
Pamela Skerritt	3, 4	Micro
Carraig Safety Consultants Ltd	3, 4	Micro
Public Affairs Ireland	4	Small
Fearless Forum Consulting	4	Micro
SOCraigh	4	Micro
Asymmetry ETQA Solutions Ltd	4	Micro
Harvest Resources Ltd	4	Micro
The Power Within Training and Development LTD	4	Small

Evaluation Criteria

The contract was awarded based on two criteria:

• Quality (75%): Quality of the proposed training programmes and delivery
• Cost (25%): Overall cost of the services

About the Contracting Authority

Learning and Development (LD) Skillnet is an Irish public-law body operating in the education sector. LD Skillnet is a network of companies focused on learning and development, part of the Skillnet Ireland network, which supports enterprise-led workforce development in Ireland.

About the Winners

The panel includes a diverse range of training providers:

• DCU Business School: University-based business education provider
• Digital Learning Institute: Online learning and digital education specialist
• Public Affairs Ireland: Policy and public affairs training
• Train Remote: Remote and digital training provider
• Leadrise Coaching and Consulting: Leadership and coaching
• HPC Global Learning: Corporate training and development
• Carraig Safety Consultants: Health and safety training
• Harvest Resources: HR and organisational development
• The Power Within Training: Personal and professional development
• And many other specialist providers

Procurement Analysis

• Procedure: Open procedure under the standard regime, governed by EU Directive 2014/24/EU.
• Competition: 1-14 tenders per lot.
• SME participation: All winners are SMEs.
• Subcontracting: No subcontracting was declared.
• No EU funding: The procurement was not financed with EU funds.
• No framework agreement: Direct panel contracts.
• No dynamic purchasing system used.
• Accelerated procedure: No.
• Strategic procurement: No strategic objectives specified.
• Review body: The High Court of Ireland.

Additional Procurement Facts

• The contract is covered by the WTO's Government Procurement Agreement (GPA).
• No EU funds were used for this procurement.
• The estimated value is €1,500,000.
• The contracts run for 36 months.
• Quality is weighted at 75%.
• Cost is weighted at 25%.
• All winners are SMEs.
• No subcontracting was declared.
• Lot 4 (Professional Development Courses) received the most tenders (14).
• Lot 1 (MSc) received only 1 tender.
• Digital Learning Institute and Leadrise Coaching won multiple lots.
• The panel supports the LD Skillnet Strategy 2026–2028.

Market & Industry Perspective

The Irish training and education market is diverse, with a mix of university-based providers, specialist training companies, and individual consultants. Skillnet networks, supported by Skillnet Ireland, play a key role in delivering enterprise-led training across Ireland.

Key trends in this market include:

• Quality focus: 75% weighting on quality
• SME participation: SMEs dominate
• Panel procurement: Multiple providers for flexibility
• Professional development: Growing demand for training
• Digital learning: Increasing use of online and blended learning

Economic Significance

At €1.5 million, this procurement represents a significant investment in workforce development training for LD Skillnet members. The contracts will:

• Support workforce development: Provide training for professionals
• Support SMEs: All winners are SMEs
• Provide long-term stability: 36-month contracts
• Ensure quality: 75% quality weighting
• Enable flexibility: Panel of providers

Future Procurement Opportunities

With this panel now in place, future opportunities include:

• Re-tender: Expected after the 36-month contract period
• Related services: Additional training and development services
• Subcontracting: Potential opportunities with the winners
• Other Skillnet networks: Similar panel procurements

Opportunities for Suppliers

While this contract is awarded, opportunities remain for training providers:

• Re-tender: Prepare for the next procurement cycle
• Subcontracting: Potential opportunities with the winners
• Related services: Other training and development contracts
• Other Skillnet networks: Similar panel opportunities

What Businesses Should Watch

• LD Skillnet's future procurement notices
• Other Skillnet Ireland tenders
• Irish public sector training and education tenders
• Changes to Irish procurement regulations

IrelandTenders Procurement Intelligence

This training panel procurement is a notable example of Irish education sector procurement. Several features stand out:

• Scale: €1.5M across 4 lots
• Quality focus: 75% weighting on quality
• SME winners: All winners are SMEs
• Multi-supplier: 18 winners across lots
• Competition: 1-14 tenders per lot
• Flexible: Panel of providers

For suppliers, this procurement highlights the importance of:

• Quality demonstration: Quality accounts for 75% of evaluation
• Competitive pricing: Cost accounts for 25%
• Training expertise: Specialised programme delivery
• SME status: SMEs can compete effectively
• Panel participation: Ability to deliver on-demand training

Supplier Takeaways

• Demonstrate high quality – 75% of evaluation is quality-based
• Offer competitive pricing – 25% weighting
• Show training expertise and qualifications
• Build public sector experience
• Monitor Irish education and training procurement opportunities

Key Takeaways

• LD Skillnet awarded a €1.5M training panel contract
• Four lots covering MSc, Diploma, Component Awards, and Professional Development Courses
• 18 winners across four lots
• Duration: 36 months
• Evaluation: Quality (75%), Cost (25%)
• All winners are SMEs
• No subcontracting declared
• Lot 4 (Professional Development Courses) had 14 tenders

Conclusion

This training provider panel ensures that LD Skillnet members and clients have access to high-quality training programmes and services across a range of disciplines over the next three years. By selecting 18 SME providers across four lots, LD Skillnet ensures flexibility, competition, and access to diverse expertise.

The 75% weighting on quality reflects the importance of training excellence and effective delivery, while the 25% weighting on cost ensures value for money. The strong competition (up to 14 tenders for Lot 4) demonstrates the attractiveness of these contracts to the Irish training market.

For suppliers, this procurement highlights the importance of quality, training expertise, and competitive pricing in winning Irish public sector training contracts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is LD Skillnet?

Ans: An Irish public-law body operating in the education sector, part of the Skillnet Ireland network, supporting enterprise-led workforce development.

Q: What is the value of the procurement?

Ans: Estimated at €1,500,000.

Q: Who are the winners?

Ans: 18 providers including DCU Business School, Digital Learning Institute, Public Affairs Ireland, Train Remote, Leadrise Coaching, and others.

Q: What services are covered?

Ans: MSc Strategic Learning and Development, Diploma in Learning and Development Modules, Component and Special Purpose Awards, and Professional Development Courses.

Q: What were the evaluation criteria?

Ans: Quality (75%) and Cost (25%).

Q: How long are the contracts?

Ans: 36 months.

Q: How many tenders were received?

Ans: 1-14 tenders per lot.

Q: Is this contract funded by the EU?

Ans: No, the procurement is not financed with EU funds.

Q: What is the review body?

Ans: The High Court of Ireland.

Q: What are the four lots?

Ans: MSc, Diploma Modules, Component Awards, and Professional Development Courses.

Source: EU Official Journal, Contract Award Notice 621541-2026, OJ S 174/2026, published 9 September 2026.

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