This year has seen a return to all exams and formal assessments across vocational and technical qualifications (VTQs). Over 360,000 certificates have been awarded across over 140 Level 1, Level 1/2 and Level 2 performance table qualifications (PTQs) since March 2022.

Technical Awards, such as BTEC Tech Awards and Cambridge Nationals, are Level 1 and Level 2 qualifications that equip students with applied knowledge and associated practical skills not usually acquired through general education. They are typically taken alongside other general qualifications such as GCSEs.

Technical Certificates are Level 2 qualifications which equip post-16 students with the knowledge and skills they need for skilled employment or for further technical study.

Technical Awards and Technical Certificates are PTQs which are approved for reporting in the DfE’s performance tables.

Students, and all who have supported them, have demonstrated incredible resilience and commitment to learning during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Ofqual asked awarding organisations (AOs) to consider how they could adapt their assessments to mitigate the effects of pandemic-related disruption. More information about these adaptations is available in our blog. The adaptations supported students to complete their assessments and freed up crucial time for teaching and learning.

The diversity of vocational qualifications meant that it was not possible to prescribe a single approach to adaptations, so AOs had flexibility to choose how to adapt their assessments. The adaptations included, for example, reduction in the number of assessments, and using alternative forms of assessment evidence.

Dr Jo Saxton, Chief Regulator, said:

Today’s results are a testament to students’ hard work and resilience. Since September I have visited dozens of colleges and schools up and down the country and the overwhelming message from students and college staff was that they wanted exams and formal assessments to take place. Students, in particular, told me they wanted a chance to prove themselves.

Students in 2022 can be so proud of what they have achieved. These students have acquired applied knowledge and practical skills during their course of study, which will help them progress into further education, an apprenticeship or skilled employment. I wish them all well in their next steps.

Vocational qualifications are often modular, and assessment typically happens throughout the course of study, which may span 1, 2 or more years. This means that in 2021 to 2022, final grades for VTQs taken in schools and colleges are based on student outcomes from a range of sources, including one or more of:

• results from exams or formal assessments, some of which may have been adapted by the AO
• results based on teacher assessed grades that were awarded in summer 2021
• results based on centre assessed grades from summer 2020

The combination of assessment methods means that it is not possible to compare results directly with previous years. The results this year represent a staging post towards normal assessment and grading. We have asked AOs to award overall grades that are right for this year, taking account of the expectations set for grading GCSEs.

Results this year have only been possible due to the hard work of everyone involved, not least students themselves. Together, they have done everything possible to help students achieve their qualifications and progress in their education or career.

2022 results

Today (25 August 2022) we are publishing:

Key points

Over 360,000 certificates across over 140 Level 1, Level 1/2 and Level 2 qualifications awarded since March 2022, 96% of which are Technical Awards.

While GCSE results are issued on a fixed day (25 August), there isn’t a single results day for most vocational and technical qualifications, although awarding organisations tend to release results on or before GCSE results day.

The 3 Subject or Sector Areas with the most certificates issued against them are:

1. Leisure, Travel and Tourism: 86,485.
2. Arts, Media and Publishing: 86,440.
3. Health, Public Services and Care: 60,220.

We will publish equalities analyses in the autumn for PTQs. Our analysis will consider whether the gaps between the results of different groups of students, which are observed in normal years, have changed. It was not possible for us to complete this analysis ahead of results being issued as we did last year, because final data from exams is only available very close to results days.

Infographics

The CMA has today required Veolia to sell 3 businesses after an in-depth merger investigation concluded the merger gives rise to competition concerns in a number of markets.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has concluded that Veolia must sell substantial parts of the merged business:

• Suez’s UK waste management services businesses;

• Suez’s UK industrial water operation and maintenance services business; and

• Veolia’s European mobile water services business.

These businesses make up almost all of the overlap between Veolia’s and Suez’s competing operations in the UK.

In response to the provisional findings of the Phase 2 inquiry, Veolia said that it would sell the UK Suez waste business. The CMA will determine the conditions of the sale, as well as the sales of the 2 water services businesses.

The CMA will need to approve the purchasers of each business before the completion of each sale.

Veolia and Suez are both global players in waste and water management. In 2020, the companies generated approximately £2bn and £1bn in the UK respectively – roughly 10% and 7% of their annual global revenues.

Veolia and Suez are active across the full waste management supply chain. They collect waste from households and businesses, sort it for recycling and composting and dispose of the remaining waste – some of which is incinerated to produce electricity. Many local authorities in the UK rely heavily on either Veolia or Suez to meet their waste management needs. The companies also supply water and wastewater management services to industrial customers.

Throughout the investigation, the CMA heard from a number of councils and customers who were concerned about the potential impact of the merger on the cost and quality of the services they receive. Ultimately, taxpayers and businesses would have been left to cover any increase in cost.

Stuart McIntosh, Chair of the CMA inquiry group, said:

Local authority budgets are already under strain, and this deal is likely to lead to them paying more and receiving a lower-quality service. The negative impact would have ultimately fallen on taxpayers at a time when they are feeling the pressure of the cost of living crisis.

Given our concerns about the merger, we have concluded that Veolia must sell most of the operations it took over in the UK when it acquired Suez. We will now work with Veolia to ensure that appropriate buyers are found so that businesses, councils – and ultimately taxpayers – will not lose out.

The CMA’s final report, published today, confirms its provisional findings issued in May. It rules that the merger would lead to competition concerns in 5 waste markets and 2 water treatment markets. In each of these markets, the merging businesses currently compete closely and would face limited competition after the merger. The CMA found that this would be likely to result in higher cost or lower quality services for councils, with knock-on effects for taxpayers, as well as businesses across the UK.

The CMA launched an investigation into the deal between Veolia and Suez in October 2021. The transaction was referred for an in-depth Phase 2 review, which is led by an independent inquiry group, in December 2021.

This deal has been reviewed by a number of competition authorities across the world. Major divestments were also required in the EU and in Australia.

For more information, visit the Veolia / Suez merger inquiry page.

1. For media enquiries, contact the CMA press office on 020 3738 6460 or press@cma.gov.uk.

2. The CMA found that the merger would lead to a Substantial Lessening of Competition (SLC) in the following areas:

• Collection of non-hazardous waste for municipal customers;

• Operation and maintenance of material recovery facilities (i.e. sorting of waste after collection) for municipal customers;

• Operation and maintenance of Energy Recovery Facilities (i.e. incineration) for municipal customers;

• Supply of incineration services to customers in 2 local areas;

• Collection of non-hazardous waste for commercial and industrial customers;

• Operation and maintenance of water and wastewater treatment facilities for industrial customers; and

• Provision of mobile water services to industrial customers.

This includes one Malaysian who received a Chevening Fellowship to complete a short course at the Oxford Centre of Islamic Studies.

The Chevening award is the UK Government’s global scholarship programme, funded and administered by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. This is complemented by generous sponsorships by Malaysian corporate partners including CIMB Group Holdings Berhad, Yayasan Khazanah and the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation. British universities also provide additional funding in support of the Chevening programme.

His Excellency Charles Hay MVO, British High Commissioner to Malaysia, hosted a pre-departure briefing and reception for the scholars this evening. At the reception, he said:

Malaysia’s growing appetite for higher education in the UK is reflected in the increase in Chevening Scholarships applications. We received a total of 748 applications for the 2022/23 compared to 620 applications in the preceding year. I am pleased to announce that the UK is awarding 39 Chevening Scholarships to Malaysia. This is just one example of how education remains the most enduring aspects of the UK-Malaysia relationship.

He added:

The 2023/24 Chevening application cycle is now open and I encourage more Malaysians from every state to apply. The Chevening programme provides leaders of tomorrow with a 360 educational experience which includes exploring UK’s diverse culture.

Malaysians who wish to get a scholarship to pursue a post-graduate degree in the UK should apply by 1 November 2022. More information is available on the Chevening website.

The current batch of scholars will be heading to the UK as early as September this year to pursue a wide range of postgraduate programmes at top UK universities, including subjects such as climate change, law, public policy, public health and filmmaking.

Scholar Shimri Lim who is attending University of Birmingham to study Trauma Science MSc said:

I am extremely excited about the opportunity to learn from leading experts in Trauma Care at the University of Birmingham which has a joint civilian & military trauma centre based in Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. The one year with Chevening is an unparalleled platform to build professional relationships which I am determined to utilise to the fullest for the benefit of Malaysia and the UK. The Masters in Trauma Science will equip me with the necessary knowledge to further improve the Health Services of the Malaysian Armed Forces. Chevening has enabled me to be one step closer to my goal of providing state-of-the-art trauma care for the Malaysian soldiers and our allies.

Sarawakian scholar Nur Afifah Binti Ismail said:

Being a Chevening scholar this year, I look forward to receiving a world-class education and gaining a wider perspective from like-minded people from around the world. Exchanging ideas and building networks is a must while achieving my long-time dream to watch Formula 1 at the Silverstone in England. My focus is on Digital Media and Communication at the University of Stirling. I hope that the various aspects of digital communication skill I learn will allow me to educate youngsters to speak up for justice and against inequality through digital platforms. I hope my contribution in Malaysia when I return can kickstart more opportunities and an inclusive future for youths in Sarawak.

Sabahan scholar Russell Rohny who will be attending the University of Edinburgh to study Global Mental Health and Society said:

My heart is accelerating for the growth that I will experience during the upcoming Chevening journey, especially in making friends with diverse individuals from around the world, challenging my wisdom by diving deeper into interdisciplinary studies, and immersing into the British culture in the heart of Scotland. As someone of Iban, Murut and Dusun heritage from Tambunan, Sabah, I will carry my indigenous values with me throughout this one year. Driven by passion and resilience, I want to raise awareness about mental health among the multi-ethnic communities of Sabah. I want to contribute towards formulating sustainable approaches to this issue, nationally and internationally.

Scholar Charina Pria Sivayogam who will be attending University of Kent to study Conservation and International Wildlife Trade said:

I am grateful to be awarded the Chevening scholarship as it allows me to grow my skillset and explore other innovative approaches to countering wildlife crime at University of Kent. This illicit issue does not only impact wildlife population but also our livelihood, national security, emerging zoonotic diseases, and more. It is exciting to have the opportunity to learn from experts and study at the institute that is at the forefront of multidisciplinary research in conservation that examines these issues from all angles. With this, I look forward to contributing to Malaysia’s ongoing efforts in protecting our natural heritage.

Malaysia is the second largest recipient of Chevening awards in ASEAN and there are already over 1,700 Chevening alumni in Malaysia.