VTCT acquires ITEC

The Vocational Training Charitable Trust (VTCT) is delighted to announce that, as of 8 November 2016, it has acquired EMS Limited which trades as ITEC, the internationally-recognised Awarding Organisation and Examination Board. Corporate finance boutique Adam Street advised the vendors on the sale.

The Trustees of VTCT and Directors of EMS Limited have entered into the acquisition agreement with a view to combining the strengths of the respective organisations and enhancing the services offered for the benefit of both centres and learners.

Ongoing changes in the market have increased the likelihood of consolidation in the qualifications sector, and ITEC were identified as the preferred and best-placed organisation to help VTCT realise its growth objectives. Additionally, ITEC, as a leading Awarding Organisation and brand will enable VTCT to ensure that the highest standards of qualification development and quality assurance are maintained in the global health, wellbeing, hairdressing and beauty-related industries.

Alan Woods OBE, CEO of VTCT said,

“We were keen to acquire ITEC not only because it’s highly respected in our sector, but crucially it also shares our values and ambitions, placing strong emphasis on quality assurance, learner success, employer recognition and exceptional customer service.

“This acquisition aligns with our growth strategy to continue the development of our portfolio in Beauty and Spa; Complementary Therapy; Hairdressing; Sports and Fitness, and Customer Service qualifications. We’re very excited about the strong international profile ITEC brings, along with a rigorous and highly reliable examination approach which contrasts well with VTCT’s assessment models, allowing all of our approved centres to choose how they would like their learners assessed.

“We are confident that by bringing together ITEC, VTCT and Digital Assess – our e-assessment business – we will be able to further enhance the experience we offer to learners while continuing to provide the excellent service our customers expect from us.”

“We would like to assure both ITEC and VTCT approved centres that there will be no interruption to your service – you will continue to be supported in the best way possible by your usual teams. Should you have any queries about this, please speak to your usual contacts at either ITEC or VTCT who will be happy to help you.”

Jane Foulston, CEO of ITEC said,

“ITEC and VTCT are both industry specialists with beauty therapy and hairdressing at their core, so there is already a natural synergy between the two organisations.

“With the strong international base that ITEC has developed and the dominance of VTCT in the UK, putting the two organisations together equates to the largest specialised Awarding Organisation in the hair and beauty sectors.

“I am delighted with this acquisition as it is the perfect fit.  It will enable both organisations to continue to grow and flourish even further. ITEC has always provided and will continue to provide one standard for the World offering prestigious examination-based qualifications. I am looking forward to being involved with such an exciting organisation in these fast-moving times.  I would like to assure all our ITEC Customers that it’s business as usual.”

About VTCT: VTCT is a government approved awarding organisation offering National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs), Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs), Technical Level Qualifications (TLQs) and other vocational-related qualifications (VRQs). VTCT has been in existence for over fifty years and has been at the forefront of developing the vocational system of qualifications in the United Kingdom.

VTCT is a specialist awarding body, our full qualification package covers; beauty, nail & spa therapy, hairdressing & barbering, complementary therapies, sports, active health and fitness, hospitality & catering, education, training & development, skills for work & life, business, retail & customer service, apprenticeships. 

With a head office in Eastleigh, Hampshire, the company employs more than sixty staff and has a field force of over seventy external quality assurers.

Digital Assess is a recently acquired subsidiary company owned by VTCT which provides a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) suite of products for training providers. It employs ten people with an office based in London.  

VTCT will continue to strengthen its presence in the vocational qualifications market in the United Kingdom, where qualifications from VTCT are offered at over 700 colleges of further education and private training centres. Further expansion into overseas markets is one of VTCT’s next goals.

About ITEC: ITEC, based in London and with over 20 staff has been awarding high-quality and respected industry qualifications since 1947. It is now one of the world’s leading and most successful awarding bodies specialising in Beauty and Complementary Therapy, Sport and Fitness and Hairdressing sectors. ITEC awards qualifications in over 38 countries around the world with over 650 approved centres world-wide. ITEC has offices in London and South Africa, with significant representation in Ireland, Asia and the USA.