Maximising Success: How to Write Winning Bids in a Competitive Skills Funding Landscape

Understand the Evaluation Criteria

Every funding opportunity comes with its own set of criteria, and understanding these is the foundation of a strong bid. Begin by carefully analysing the tender documentation, focusing on the scoring methodology and weighting system.

Questions to consider:

• What are the funder’s key priorities? These might include addressing regional skills gaps, boosting apprenticeships, or supporting disadvantaged groups.
• Which aspects carry the most weight? For example, evidence of employer engagement might be heavily emphasised in some calls.

Tailor your response to address these priorities directly, ensuring that your bid reflects an in-depth understanding of the funding body’s goals.

Align with Local Priorities

Localised funding models mean that understanding regional strategies and LSIPs is vital. LSIPs provide a roadmap for addressing the skills needs of specific areas, and aligning your bid with these plans can significantly enhance its relevance.

Steps to ensure alignment:

• Engage with local stakeholders, such as Chambers of Commerce and local authorities, to understand their priorities.
• Reference LSIPs explicitly in your bid, demonstrating how your proposed programme will meet the identified skills gaps.
• Provide evidence of collaboration with employers or community partners within the target region.

Use Data and Evidence Strategically

Strong bids are backed by robust evidence. Use quantitative data to highlight the need for your proposed solution and qualitative evidence to showcase your capability to deliver.

Effective use of evidence includes:

• Labour Market Intelligence (LMI): Draw on statistics from local sources to demonstrate demand for the skills your programme will develop.
• Track Record: Provide case studies or testimonials from previous successful projects, highlighting measurable outcomes and impact.
• Past Success Rates: Use data from previous years to support claims being made within your bid to increase credibility.
  
• Employer Commitments: Include letters of support or partnership agreements to show industry buy-in.

Ensure your evidence is up to date, relevant, and directly linked to the funding call’s objectives.

Craft a Persuasive Narrative

While evidence is critical, your bid must also tell a compelling story. Use clear, concise, and professional language to explain why your organisation is best positioned to deliver the proposed project. Key elements of a persuasive narrative include:

• Clearly articulate the problem your bid addresses.
• Explain how your solution is innovative, scalable, and sustainable.
• Highlight your organisation’s expertise, partnerships, and readiness to deliver.
• Avoid jargon and ensure your language is accessible to evaluators who may not have specialist knowledge.

Invest in Bid Readiness

Bid writing is not a task to be rushed and it definitely can't be left until the last minute. We suggest allowing 1 day per 2000 words required within the bid, this allows time for research, preparation, drafting and feedback of your response. Investing time in preparation can dramatically improve the quality of your submission. This is different for each organisation but may include:

• Establishing a clear process for gathering input and feedback from your team.
• Building a library of reusable content, such as organisational descriptions, policies, and track records.
• Conducting internal reviews to ensure clarity, consistency, and compliance with tender requirements.

Writing a successful bid in the skills funding landscape requires a blend of strategic alignment, evidence-based arguments, and clear communication. By understanding the evaluation criteria, aligning with local priorities, and crafting a compelling narrative, you can increase your chances of securing funding. For those navigating this complex process, professional bid writing support can offer a valuable advantage, ensuring that your submissions are competitive and impactful.

Contact us today on [email protected] to learn how our bid writing expertise can help you achieve success in your next funding application.