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Public sector potential adult skills training

Blog
The YPO Team
15 Sep 2025

In the UK public sector, the demand for skilled, adaptable teams has never been greater. From local government to emergency services, health, and education, continuous learning is the key to delivering high-quality services and meeting evolving community needs.

That’s where adult skills training comes in — and the YPO training DPS is here to make sourcing and delivering that training simple, compliant, and cost-effective.

Why Adult Skills Training Matters for Public Service

Public sector organisations face unique challenges:

· Shifting workforce needs – roles are changing fast due to digital transformation, service reform, and new legislation.

· Skills gaps – from health and social care to project management and digital literacy.

· Recruitment and retention pressures – training plays a big part in attracting and keeping talented people.

Adult skills training opportunities allow teams to adapt, progress, and deliver more effective, people-focused services. For public bodies, investing in these skills means stronger outcomes for the communities they serve.

How the YPO Training DPS Supports The Public Sector

The YPO training DPS is a fully compliant procurement route that helps councils, combined authorities, NHS trusts, blue light services, and other public bodies access a wide range of training providers.
It covers over 27 training categories, including:

· Digital and IT skills

· Health and well-being

· Leadership and management

· Project management and compliance

· Fire safety and emergency response

· Specialist vocational qualifications
Because it’s a dynamic purchasing system (DPS), new suppliers can join regularly — giving buyers access to the latest training offers and innovation in adult skills delivery.

Aligning with Local and National Priorities

Many combined authorities now control devolved Adult Skills Funding, enabling investment in training that meets local economic and workforce priorities.

The YPO Training DPS helps authorities:

Link to local skills strategies – sourcing suppliers aligned with priority sectors such as green jobs, social care, construction, and digital transformation.

Run competitive mini-tenders – ensuring the best providers are selected for bespoke programmes or off-the-shelf courses.

Facilitate partnerships – working with colleges, specialist providers, and other public bodies to deliver comprehensive training packages.

Benefits of Using the YPO Training DPS for Adult Skills

· Time and resource savings – pre-vetted suppliers and a compliant route mean less admin.

· Flexibility – run mini-competitions for bespoke training or direct award for standard courses.

· Breadth of provision – from accredited qualifications to short CPD courses.

· Supplier diversity – includes national and local training providers, supporting SME engagement.

Ready to Upskill Your Workforce?

With the YPO training DPS, public sector organisations can quickly and compliantly source adult skills training that aligns with their workforce strategies and funding streams.

Whether you’re delivering a local skills plan, using devolved Adult Skills Funding, or simply want to build capability within your teams, YPO can help you connect with the right training providers to meet your needs.

Author

The YPO Team

YPO supplies products and services to a wide range of customers including schools, local authorities, charities, emergency services, public sector and other businesses such as nurseries and care homes. YPO are 100% publicly owned, by 13 local authorities, which means the profits made are returned to public sector customers, delivering even better value for money.