Some employers will expect you to have a degree.

Relevant subjects include:

• English
• business management
• sales and marketing
• law

You could also study a subject relevant to an industry you want to specialise in, like IT, civil engineering or housing.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

You can work towards this role by completing a bid and proposal co-ordinator advanced apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

There are no set entry requirements but it may help you to get in if you have:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

You could start as a trainee or junior bid writer. You’ll usually need a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including English and maths. Many employers will prefer you to have at least A levels.

You may also be able to work your way up through administrative jobs, especially in bid writing companies.

The Association of Bid & Proposal Management Professionals offers qualifications for people working in bid and proposal writing.

You'll need:

• knowledge of English language
• excellent written communication skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• excellent verbal communication skills
• knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• administration skills
• the ability to use your initiative
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

As a bid writer you'll:

• find out about possible business opportunities
• work with clients and planning teams
• gather evidence to complete Pre Qualification Questionnaires (PQQ)
• collect data for bids, like financial records
• check the rules the bid must follow
• present technical information in easy to understand ways
• keep accurate records and save material to a 'bid library' for future use
• design, write, edit and submit bid documents

You could work at a client's business or in an office.