PDA Internal Verification of Workplace Assessment SCQF level 8

The PDA in Internal Verification of Workplace Assessment at SCQF level 8 comprises a single SVQ unit derived from the National Occupation Standard (NOS) for internal verifiers, CLDLD11, revised by the CLD Standards Council Scotland, sector skills council (SSC) to meet the occupational requirements of workplace internal verifiers across the UK. While the SVQ unit contains the performance criteria and knowledge and skills of the NOS, it has been contextualised to the workplace and has specific evidence requirements.

This PDA for internal verifiers is one of the benchmark qualifications for internal verifiers across all occupational areas and ensures consistency in the application of quality assurance in the workplace.

The PDA is deemed an appropriate qualification for the role of internal verifier when delivering SQA regulated qualifications on the RQF and SCQF, such as SVQ group awards or units, where achievement of an appropriate internal verifier qualification is required for compliance with assessment strategies of regulated vocational qualifications.

This PDA is for those who carry out the monitoring of assessment processes and decisions of workplace competence, assessed in the workplace, and help to maintain and improve the quality of workplace assessment. The internal quality assurance process being conducted by the internal verifier-candidate can be for:

• regulated vocational qualifications such as SVQs across numerous occupational sectors
• other regulated workplace qualifications
• in-house company standards

Access

Entry is at the discretion of the centre; however, as this is a work-based qualification, candidates must be working in an internal-verifier role to ensure they are able to generate the required work-based evidence.

Internal-verifier candidates must have access to two assessors to meet the evidence requirements of the single SVQ unit PDA group award.

Good communication skills, both oral and written, are required.

Centres with devolved authority for approval should use their own internal approval process.

Centres without devolved authority must come forward for approval and should contact SQA’s Business Development Team for guidance.

Assessors and verifiers must be able to meet SQA’s general requirements for technical and/or occupational competence as outlined in the Systems and Qualification Approval Guide.

Knowledge requirements will be assessed by a professional discussion with the verifier-candidate's assessor, answering questions (written or oral), verifier-candidate statement or a combination of these. Performance evidence of monitoring and maintaining the quality of assessment, will also be required.

The verifier-candidate's performance must be observed. Simulation of verification practice is not allowed.