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HOW TO SUPPORT NEETS AND WIN MORE BIDS WITH CODE FIRST GIRLS
In our last post, we discussed how partnering with Code First Girls can help you fulfil social value requirements under new Procurement Policy Note (PPN 026) rules.
Applicable to contracts starting from 1 January 2027, major government tenders (worth £5M+) will allocate up to 20% of total bid scores to social value. The target at the top of the government’s list? Tackling youth unemployment. Understanding how to support NEETs is rapidly becoming a critical factor in securing public contracts.
Opening pathways into tech has been our mission since 2019. Here is how you can turn this policy shift into a lasting strategy for both community impact and tender success.
What is a NEET and why does this matter to government?
Nearly one million young people in the UK are currently NEET—Not in Education, Employment, or Training. That is more than 1 in 10 young adults, representing a massive, untapped talent pool.
To tackle this crisis, public procurement evaluators are shifting focus. Future tenders will heavily favour suppliers who move beyond generic promises and deliver tangible social impact. Specifically, buyers want to see:
- Above-minimum-wage roles
- High-quality apprenticeships
- Structured tech training and work placements
If you want to win government contracts under the new rules, having a proven plan for how to support NEETs isn’t just nice to have – it’s essential to demonstrating authentic social value.
That is where Code First Girls comes in.
How to support NEETs: Boost your bids
We don’t just talk about closing the tech skills gap. We actively do it.
If you are looking for how to support NEETs in a way that stands out to procurement evaluators, here is how our model delivers immediate impact for your business and community:
1. Create Work-Ready Talent
Sponsor high-potential women through our ~16-week entry-level training programme, the CFGdegree. We train NEET candidates in high-demand tracks – including Data & Software Engineering, Data Science, Full-Stack, and Product Management – turning raw talent into role-aligned (SFIA 2) tech professionals.
2. Talent Package (Option 1): Bring NEETs Into Your Team
Integrate trained NEET talent into your delivery teams via our Recruit-Train-Deploy model. This lets you assess performance on live projects without the commitment of an immediate permanent hire. To ensure seamless delivery, we provide:
- Weekly 1-to-1 coaching and agile professional development
- KPI alignment and performance management
- Zero transfer fees when converting candidates to permanent roles at the end of deployment
If you would prefer to hire permanent talent straight away, we can match you with trained female tech talent and onboard them into your permanent team.
3. Education Package (Option 2): Support NEETs Into Tech Roles
No immediate headcount needs? Opt for our Education Package to fund high-demand tech training for NEET candidates while securing hard, audit-ready social value metrics for your tender submission. If project demands shift down the line, you maintain complete flexibility to scale your delivery team with your sponsored cohort.
4. The 10x Local Reinvestment
This is where your bid will truly shine. For every woman sponsored through our advanced programme, the CFGdegree, CFG will provide free tech education to NEET women in local communities. This includes providing training in high-demand specialisms like AI and Cybersecurity, as well as core programming skills.
The proof is in the data
We don’t rely on vague promises – we provide the hard evidence you need to show evaluators exactly how you support NEETs:
- 6,000+ women from NEET backgrounds have already gone through CFG programmes
- 89% of graduates from our advanced programmes secure a role in tech
- 98% of candidates stay in role for at least 18 months+
Even better? We support you across the entire contract lifecycle – from helping you articulate our impact during bid writing to maximise your score, to delivering seamless reporting once the contract is won.
Discover how to support NEETs and win more bids today
Winning public sector contracts can be stressful. We are here to make it easier.
Ready to boost your bids, back British skills, and change lives?
