As part of the Access for All programme, a joint initiative from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and the Office of Government Commerce, small businesses in the UK are to be given access to free training designed to help them bid for public sector contracts.
The course will cover topics including identifying business opportunities, supplying goods and services, the procurement process, and submitting tenders.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Liam Bryne, MP said the following:
"Small and medium-sized businesses are the engine-room of our economy. We want them to harness the spending power of government to grow their businesses and create jobs. This new free course will help those businesses to compete effectively for government contracts, locking in the recovery and strengthening businesses throughout the country."
The courses, launched by Mr Bryne alongside Small Business Minister Lord Davies, are available via the Business Link website at: www.businesslink.gov.uk/procurement. The course will be hosted by Learn Direct and will take a maximum of 3 to 4 hours.
The original press release is available to read here:

