The Institute for Apprenticeships has today announced that is has contracted with Open Awards to deliver External Quality Assurance (EQA) of apprenticeship end-point-assessment on the Institute’s behalf in 2017-18.

External Quality Assurance ensures that assessment of apprentices is being delivered effectively and consistently and is fit for purpose. Trailblazers – employers who collectively propose a new apprenticeship standard – select one of four options to deliver EQA for that standard: an employer-led group, a professional body, Ofqual or where these options are not appropriate the Institute for Apprenticeships. Today’s announcement confirms the Institute will act as a provider of EQA, through its delivery partner, Open Awards.

The Institute’s Chief Executive, Peter Lauener, said:

This is an important step forward for the Institute for Apprenticeships. We have a duty to ensure that apprenticeships equip learners with the right skills and provide the basis for lasting employment. That means putting the right structures in place to ensure that those delivering assessments are accountable and held to the highest standards themselves.

We put employers’ needs and choices at the heart of our work, and it is important that they have a choice in how external quality assurance is undertaken. I’m delighted that with today’s announcement we are able to offer the option of the Institute taking that role.

Heather Akehurst, Chief Executive of Open Awards added:

We’re delighted to be working in partnership with the Institute for Apprenticeships and look forward to helping them hold apprenticeships and assessments to the highest quality.

Further information

The decision was made following a period of public tender. The contract commenced on 1 August 2017. It includes those standards for which the Institute is the nominated external quality assurance provider and where the EPA starts before the 31 March 2018. The Institute has an option of extending the contract for a further a six months to cover standards where EPA starts before 31 September 2018. Previous estimates suggest that between 1500 and 2500 apprentices will undertake end point assessment across 36 standards which have nominated the Institute to provide EQA before March 2018.

Open Awards is an Awarding Organisation approved by Ofqual and an Access Validating Agency approved by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA).

Contact

For further information about this release please contact Ed Hickey, Institute for Apprenticeships, via edward.hickey@education.gov.uk, 07469 412924

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has been investigating the planned merger of the 2 companies which supply engineering services to the UK’s Upstream Offshore oil and gas sector.

At the end of its initial investigation, the CMA has found that the merger could lead to competition concerns in the supply of engineering and construction (E&C) services and operation and maintenance (O&M) services on the UK continental shelf.

This is because the companies currently compete closely with each other, and are 2 of the main suppliers of these services; the merger will reduce the number of major players currently active in these markets from 4 to 3; there are concerns that competition from other suppliers may not be sufficient to mitigate competition worries; and other suppliers seeking to enter the market or expand their UK presence may face significant barriers to doing so.

The Wood Group announced at the start of the CMA’s initial investigation that it intended to offer proposals to resolve competition concerns, should any be found. Therefore, the case team looking at the merger has (without prejudice to the outcome of the investigation) worked constructively with the 2 companies involved to shape proposed remedies and provide guidance on whether these would be suitable to address possible competition issues.

The Wood Group has until 9 August 2017 to formalise its final remedies proposal. If it does not formally submit a remedies proposal, or if the remedies offered do not sufficiently address the competition concerns that the CMA has identified, the merger will be referred for an in-depth ‘phase 2’ investigation.

Kate Collyer, Deputy Chief Economic Adviser and the decision maker in this case, said:

We have consulted widely on the implications of this merger and it is clear that Wood Group and Amec Foster Wheeler have a particularly strong market position in the supply of key services to the Upstream Offshore oil and gas sector in the UK. The merger would, therefore, remove the rivalry between 2 of the 4 main suppliers of these services.

Based on our initial investigation, this could significantly reduce customers’ ability to obtain competitive bids, which could lead to increased prices and affect the competitiveness of the oil and gas industry in the UK.

The CMA’s team will continue to work constructively with the Wood Group and Amec Foster Wheeler in the assessment of the remedies that they intend to formally offer to address these concerns. This merger will, however, warrant an in-depth investigation, unless the companies offer suitable proposals to address our concerns.

Information relating to this investigation can be found on the case page.

Notes for editors

1. The CMA is the UK’s primary competition and consumer authority. It is an independent non-ministerial government department with responsibility for carrying out investigations into mergers, markets and the regulated industries and enforcing competition and consumer law. For more information on the CMA see our homepage or follow us on Twitter @CMAgovuk, Flickr and LinkedIn. Sign up to our email alerts to receive updates on merger cases.
2. Under the Enterprise Act 2002 (the Act) the CMA has a duty to make a merger reference, resulting in an in-depth phase 2 merger investigation, if the CMA believes that it is or may be the case that a ‘relevant merger situation’ has been created, or arrangements are in progress or in contemplation which, if carried into effect, will result in the creation of a relevant merger situation; and that the creation of that situation has resulted, or may be expected to result, in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services.
3. Under the Act a ‘relevant merger situation’ is created if 2 or more enterprises have ceased to be distinct enterprises; and the value of the turnover in the United Kingdom of the enterprise being taken over exceeds £70 million (‘the turnover test’) or as a result of the transaction, in relation to the supply of goods or services of any description, a 25% share of supply in the UK (or a substantial part of the UK) is created or enhanced (‘the share of supply test’).
4. Under paragraphs 8.7 and 8.8 of the CMA’s Mergers – Jurisdiction and Procedure Guidance, the merger parties can engage with the CMA’s case team on remedies prior to any decision for reference. However, the case team is not able formally to agree with the parties whether a particular package of undertakings in lieu would or would not be sufficient. This is because the final decisions on whether, first, the duty to refer arises and, (if it does) second, whether to accept undertakings in lieu are not to be pre-judged and remain with the phase 1 decision maker.
5. The CMA considers that it is under a duty to make a phase 2 merger reference in this case under the Act. However, the duty to refer is not exercised while the CMA is considering whether to accept undertakings in lieu of a reference. The Wood Group have until 9 August to offer undertakings that might be accepted by the CMA. If no undertaking is offered or accepted, then the CMA will refer the merger for a phase 2 merger investigation.
6. All the CMA’s functions in phase 2 merger investigations are performed by inquiry groups chosen from the CMA’s panel members. The appointed inquiry group are the decision makers on merger investigations. The CMA’s panel members come from a variety of backgrounds, including economics, law, accountancy and/or business; the membership of an inquiry group usually reflects a mix of expertise and experience (including industry experience).
7. The text of this decision will be placed on the case page in due course.
8. Media enquiries should be directed to beatrice.cole@cma.gsi.gov.uk, 020 3738 6472.

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Martin McTague, Policy Director OF THE Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said:

“Our latest Small Business Index (SBI) highlighted that one in five FSB members see regulation as one of the major barriers to their businesses growth.

“This puts an even greater burden on the RPC in independently assessing the impact and benefits of proposed regulation that can negatively impact small businesses.

“The FSB continues to be the leading voice in championing the great work the RPC does. In particular, its efforts to hold those Government Departments, which produce new regulation, to account by improving the quality of Regulatory Impact Assessments.

“We hope that Government continues to value the role of the RPC by ensuring that it is sufficiently resourced and at the heart of improving the regulation agenda.”

Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

“In this period of significant transition and change, it is vital that any regulatory changes which impact the UK’s business communities are justified and rational.

“The Regulatory Policy Committee plays a crucial role in providing scrutiny, a task that will only grow in importance as we embark on the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. Government departments must be extremely careful in making and implementing regulatory changes which may have unintended consequences. In this time of uncertainty, businesses need as much regulatory continuity as possible to sustain confidence and investment.”

Frances O’Grady, General Secretary of the TUC said:

“We welcome this report. Once again the RPC is showing that the issue is not about what we regulate or deregulate, it’s about how we can make the system for all of society. That means that we need to gain a consensus for strong, effective regulation that is enforced appropriately and having a body such as the RPC to oversee the process is invaluable”. Terry Scouler Chief Executive of EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, said:

“The critical work of the committee is particularly important as we prepare to leave the EU and as the effectiveness of regulatory regimes come under greater scrutiny. Good regulation is important for business and society. As this report highlights, independent scrutiny to ensure all red tape is fit for purpose and achieves the right outcomes is as important now as it ever was. I’d like to congratulate the committee and its chairman on the progress they have made.”

Rain Newton-Smith, CBI Chief Economist, said:

“The Regulatory Policy Committee continues to play a crucial role in holding government to account on its deregulatory commitments – a key issue for the CBI and many of our members. Thanks to its scrutiny, businesses can be confident that regulation is grounded in a strong evidence base.”