Case studies

Success Stories: Dundee Science Centre proves education really does pay off!

Dundee Science Centre was awarded onto Dundee City Council’s ‘Flexible Framework Agreement for Education & Social Support Services (Children & Families)’ after attending the Supplier Development Programme’s aligned tender training webinar event with Dundee City Council at the end of 2020.

Dundee Science Centre had no previous experience of public sector tendering when its staff first engaged with the Supplier Development Programme. SDP’s free tender training provided Dundee Science Centre with an improved ability and skillset to apply for a place on the council’s framework.

Lorraine Lemon, Head of Business and Operations, said: “Participating in the tender training from SDP was essential in supporting both the company’s set up and tender application process. It also allowed us to reach a wider market than we were previously able to reach. The training provided detailed information about the upcoming tender that allowed us to complete our business profile on Public Contracts Scotland, as well as the tender documents we had to submit. We found the training session easy-to-follow, with lots of practical advice on how to deal with different aspects of the tendering process.”

She continued: “During Lockdown, we changed how we engage with audiences and correspondingly we wanted to support our staff. Our original goal was to implement the Scottish Living Wage, so we are very proud to say that we have achieved this while protecting all jobs throughout the pandemic with no redundancies. We passionately believe in providing an excellent, inclusive working environment for our team and we felt incredibly proud to become a Living Wage Employer, demonstrating our commitment despite a difficult financial year. Becoming an accredited Living Wage employer allows us to diversify our business model and bid for contracts that previously we would have been excluded from previously.”

The Science Centre’s educational work contributes to community benefits, which is supported by everyone who visits. For example, whenever someone use its coffee shop, makes a Gift Aid donation, hires the venue for an event, or uses any of its other services, all income goes directly to support its work to widen access to learning in science and STEM-related subjects.

Dundee Science Centre became a Living Wage Scotland accredited employer early in 2021. To become accredited, organisations choose to pay the real Living Wage on a voluntary basis, to recognise the value of its workers, and ensure that a hard day’s work receives a fair day’s pay. This contributes to the Scottish Government’s Fair Work First policy for Scotland.

Dundee Science Centre is a charity and lifelong learning resource for the community. It helps families learn together, and supports the formal school curriculum, with the purpose to bring people together and enjoy science. More information can be found by visiting www.dundeesciencecentre.org.uk.