Awarding body NCFE has announced that it has acquired the Council for Awards in Care, Health and Education (Cache) for an undisclosed sum.
The trustees of Newcastle-based NCFE and Cache, based in St Albans, said they had entered into the agreement to combine their strengths and enhance their offer for FE sector learners.
Cache is the UK’s only specialist awarding organisation for the childcare and healthcare sectors, with a range of qualifications from entry level to level 5.
Although NCFE has acquired the awarding organisation and the Cache brand, the charity will continue under a new name.
David Grailey, chief executive of NCFE, said: “We are delighted to be incorporating Cache into NCFE. We were keen to make this acquisition because not only is it highly respected in the care sector, but crucially it also shares our values and ambitions, placing strong emphasis on learner success and exceptional customer service.”
Mr Grailey said the decision was also taken in response to funding cuts in FE. Combining the two bodies would make them more efficient and better placed to face the challenges ahead.
Marilyn Hawkins, chair of Cache, described the move as “as exciting new chapter” in the organisation’s history.
Last month it was announced that adult education body Niace and the Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion (Cesi) planned to merge.
