Content+Cloud is a leading UK based Microsoft-focused cloud services, digital transformation and managed services provider, with a passion for helping ambitious organisations and their people to succeed. With a strong focus on Microsoft solutions, the business boasts four MVP (Most Valuable Professionals) and 16 Microsoft Gold Certifications along with eight Microsoft Advanced Specialisations recognising their ability to meet Microsoft’s highest standards of service delivery in specific solution areas.

The Education and Skills Funding Agency supports, develops and funds world-class education and skills provision for every learner to reach their potential, regardless of background. The agency is accountable for £58 billion of funding for the education and training sector and regulates academies, Further Education colleges, employers, and training providers. The agency also delivers major projects and operates key services in the education and skills sector, such as the National Careers Service and the National Apprenticeship Service.

DfE and ESFA needed DevOps cloud systems development and support for their existing digital and data services and to assist in building a new learner enrolment service for the FE Sector. DfE used the Crown Commercial Service Technology Services 3 framework to tender for the resources required.

Under the contract, worth around £6m, Bramble Hub’s partner Content+Cloud will develop and support a variety of cloud applications and data services that are run by Data Science division of the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and the Department for Education’s Data Directorate.

The work will include development of a Learning Enrolment service for the Further Education sector as well as a Learning Records Service, an online repository of learner data that enables education providers to create, view and download data about learners and their achievements. This will primarily be used to streamline enrolment processes for colleges and Further Education providers.

The transformative work will be underpinned by Microsoft Azure and will involve the embedding of a Content+Cloud Azure DevOps engineering team.

Jack Perschke, Public Sector Sales Director at Content+Cloud commented: “Having supported the DfE and ESFA for many years, we understand the unique requirements of both departments when it comes to cloud-led digital transformation. Harnessing this knowledge, we will support an ambitious roadmap of cloud adoption that will deepen data and services capabilities for educators and learners alike. What’s really exciting about this contract is that it now gives us the chance to evolve both departments’ cloud journeys, allowing them to take full advantage the transformational opportunities Azure presents.”

Samantha Chawner, Bramble Hub’s Microsoft Relationship Manager, said: “We are delighted that Content+Cloud chose to partner with Bramble Hub as the prime contractor in order to secure this contract with the DfE and ESFA.”