The Bid and Proposal Apprenticeship Journey

The JGA Group, a trusted training provider, has helped firms such as Kier, Savills, DHL, Siemens, Travis Perkins and Canon shape talented junior bid management professionals through their Level 3 Bid and Proposal Apprenticeship. This programme combines theoretical training with real-world experience, empowering apprentices like Zainab Abbas and Georgia Singh to excel in competitive, fast-paced sectors. JGA’s partnerships with leading organisations underscore the programme’s reputation for quality and effectiveness in preparing apprentices for success in bid and proposal roles.

Hiring an apprentice provides a significant return on investment for employers. Through a blend of practical and academic training, apprentices develop skills closely aligned with industry needs, contributing quickly to projects and providing new perspectives that benefit the entire team.

Apprenticeship programmes deliver:

Zainab began her Bid and Proposal Apprenticeship at construction company Mace Group with limited knowledge of bid management processes, but her determination to learn quickly set her apart. She initially focused on mastering bid fundamentals through Mace’s training modules, including Writing 101 and Reviewing 101, which laid a solid foundation for her development. Her responsibilities quickly grew as she gained confidence, learning to navigate Mace’s bid management systems and efficiently tackle high-stakes projects with tight deadlines.

According to her manager, Andrew Hemmings, “Zainab is a remarkably bright young person who brings new ideas and approaches to our bid team. Through her apprenticeship, she has developed a thorough understanding of Mace’s bid processes and is capable of managing bids to challenging timescales.” This adaptability and innovative thinking demonstrate the value apprentices add to high-pressure projects, with their ability to support and streamline key processes.

As she developed practical skills, Zainab also focused on the soft skills essential to bid management. With JGA’s support, she honed her communication, time management, and relationship-building abilities, enabling her to engage effectively with senior stakeholders and project teams. Her commitment to an inclusive work environment has been widely recognised, boosting team morale, fostering a collaborative culture that benefits the organisation. Zainab co-founded the Asian Arab Network (for young professionals aged 18-30 and aspiring apprentices), which has led to her nomination for a prestigious award.

Georgia Singh’s path to bid management in the nuclear sector showcases how the apprenticeship offers a structured, practical alternative (or addition) to traditional university education. After completing her A-levels, Georgia joined the apprenticeship at Assystem, drawn by the practical, hands-on learning. She explains, “To be honest, I never really wanted to go to uni, so I liked the idea that it was practical as well as theory because I could learn on the job.”

Her apprenticeship projects and training directly aligned with her role, allowing her to apply theoretical knowledge in real-time. “The tasks were relevant to bid and proposal, which meant I could apply what I was learning directly to my job from day one,” she said. This alignment between training and job responsibilities allows apprentices to make an immediate impact on company projects, providing employers with a fast return on their investment.

Completing her apprenticeship gave Georgia a significant head start in her career. At just 21, she already holds a Bid Coordinator position and has accumulated three years of practical experience in the nuclear sector. Reflecting on the impact of her apprenticeship, Georgia remarked, “If I had chosen university, I’d still be studying and wouldn’t have the hands-on experience I have now. The office etiquette, being in difficult situations, learning from experience—these are things I wouldn’t have if I had taken a different path. I’m a lot more confident because of it.” Completing the apprenticeship led to Georgia being promoted and she has since moved within the nuclear engineering sector. Her growth from apprentice to Bid Coordinator shows the long-term benefits to workforces, which gain skilled, confident professionals ready to move their careers forward.

The Bid and Proposal Apprenticeship provides practical training and workplace experience that bridges education and career, enabling professionals like Zainab and Georgia to excel in bid management. Ryan Wilkes, former Bid Management Coordinator for Kuehne+Nagel, the world’s largest logistics firm notes, “The apprenticeship programme has provided me with the experiences and skills relevant to working in bid management. The support from my employer and The JGA Group has benefited me both personally and professionally. My apprenticeship has shaped me into the professional I am today.”

By investing in apprenticeships, employers gain immediate project support and long-term workforce benefits. The programme supports team innovation, reduces recruitment costs and builds a skilled, highly engaged talent pool. With government funding often covering part or all of the training costs, apprenticeships provide a low-cost solution to developing in-house expertise. This approach allows employers to build a skilled team without the high expenses typically associated with recruitment and training, maximising their return on investment.

As a bonus for bid teams, since June 2022, the Government has written into the specifications that all public sector procurements include a minimum weighting of 10% (and sometimes much more) for social value. So to win, your organisation needs to excel at it. You can learn more about how apprenticeships support your social value proposition and can support your bids here.

For more information on this transformative programme, visit our Bid and Proposal Apprenticeship page.