Winning new work in the construction industry is tougher than ever. With margins tight and competition increasing, contractors and subcontractors need more than technical expertise to stand out.
A well-written, persuasive bid can be the difference between securing a project and missing out, yet many businesses lack the in-house skills or confidence to consistently produce high-quality submissions.
With nearly 300 construction bids completed each year, our team has honed an efficient and effective process. We focus on understanding each client’s unique strengths and tailoring each bid to highlight these strengths while meeting the tender's specific requirements. Our approach is about more than just ticking boxes - it's about surpassing expectations and vividly showcasing why our clients are the best choice for the project.
Funded bid writing courses, particularly those supported through CITB, provide an accessible way for construction firms to strengthen their bidding capability without the financial strain.
The Value of Expert Bid Writing Training
Thornton & Lowe's bid writing courses are aimed at businesses who want to win tenders! Improve your bid writing skills, bid strategy and understanding of procurement in the construction industry in order to increase your tendering success. Our training is great for beginners and also those looking to refresh and enhance their bidding abilities. Delivered face to face at your premises, online, or in workshop groups across the UK. Contact us to book or book online.
At its core, bid writing is not just about applying for work. It is about crafting a compelling, persuasive narrative that aligns precisely with the buyer’s needs.
Thornton & Lowe’s courses focus on practical application. Delivered both online and in person across the UK, they include hands-on exercises, interactive workshops, and follow-up support such as bid mentoring. We can create bespoke construction bid writing courses targeted at your business challenges.
Our courses are suitable for all levels, from beginners through to seasoned professionals. The two-day masterclasses go beyond writing and address strategy, pipelines, bid/no-bid decision making, and continuous improvement. However, we will work with CITB to ensure you maximise the value from your bid related training support.
CITB Funding: Making Bid Writing Training More Accessible
The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) was established to support skills development in the UK construction sector. It offers several grants and funding options for eligible businesses. For training courses with Thornton & Lowe, members of the CITB can apply for 70% funding - meaning we invoice you just 30% of the cost!
For those in the construction industry, bid writing skills are not optional. They are central to winning work, driving growth, and building credibility with buyers.
Thornton & Lowe’s training packages deliver practical, real-world content for all experience levels, whether through short webinars or intensive masterclasses. With CITB grants and funding available, the financial commitment becomes far more manageable.
Speak to your local advisor to check that you're eligible for funding. Once funding has been approved by your local advisor, you book your bid writing course and we invoice you just 30% of the costs mentioned below. We handle the rest with the CITB.
If you would like support navigating the CITB grants process, selecting the right bid writing course, or aligning training with funding requirements, the team at Thornton & Lowe can help your business invest wisely and bid more effectively.
Bid Writing Courses for the Construction Sector
We deliver bid writing courses for the full range of construction businesses, from regional contractors and SMEs through to tier 1 organisations and blue-chip companies. Our training is designed to meet the needs of construction professionals at every level, helping teams strengthen their approach to tenders and win more work.
Alongside our direct work with contractors and access to CITB funding, we are also the bid and procurement partners with the National Federation of Builders (NFB). This means our courses are not only practical and industry-specific, but also recognised by leading sector bodies.
Over the years, our reputation has led us to deliver training for some of the UK’s largest construction organisations, including:
Balfour Beatty | BAM Construction | Eric Wright Construction |
Cap Gemini | Kier | Novus |
Anglian Group | Stannah | Siemens |
Our courses are often delivered face to face, tailored to each business, and focused on making an immediate impact.
What participants say about our courses:
“Charles provided some bid training at our company for the bid team and directors. I thought the training was fantastic. It flowed well and Charles kept it interactive and informative. It really helped the team understand the bid processes that sometimes can be missed and Charles explained the importance of bidding and showed us how some vital things that can be missed can lead to the winning bid. Friendly and approachable, a great session!”
Jodie Boast, Bid & Proposals Coordinator, Eric Wright Construction
“It made me re-evaluate how we treat our bids. Whilst we do some things well it has shown where our weaknesses are. It was interactive and very informative.”
Kirstie Allie, Stannah
“A really enjoyable training course. Charles is a professional. It was an excellent day. I have to say it was nice to listen to someone with a real passion for what they do.”
Ian Carter, National Business Development Manager, Stannah
“The course was of a high standard led by a knowledgeable presenter”
Ernie Canning Senior Quantity Surveyor, Kier
“I now attended two training sessions delivered by Charles. Brilliantly delivered and I have picked up some great tips to help improve my future bids. Thanks Charles!”
Conor Morley, Bid Manager, Novus Solutions
“I’m new to bid writing and Charles made this engaging, insightful and fun. Would highly recommend.. I took a lot of useful information away with me to use on my upcoming bids.”
Kayleigh Harding, Bid Writer, Novus Solutions
Are You Considering Outsourcing Your Full Bid Writing Process?
An expertly crafted construction method statement shows exactly how you plan to deliver work safely, efficiently and in line with the client’s expectations. When it’s written well, it’s a living document that guides the project, reassures stakeholders and stands up to scrutiny if challenged.
A strong bid and method statement can make the difference to the outcome of a tender. It reflects preparation, attention to detail and a professional approach to managing risk. These are qualities that decision-makers look for, whether the work is for a small refurbishment or a large-scale infrastructure project.
If you want to strengthen your tender submissions, refine your method statements or ensure your documentation meets the highest standards, our bid management services can help you put forward a compelling, compliant and confident bid.
