PDA Workplace Assessment Using Direct and Indirect Methods SCQF level 8

The PDA in Workplace Assessment Using Direct Methods at SCQF level 8 comprises a single SVQ unit derived from the National Occupation Standard (NOS) for assessors, CLDLD09, revised by the CLD Standards Council Scotland, sector skills council (SSC) to meet the occupational requirements of workplace assessors 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, specifically for those assessors who use direct and indirect methods of assessment, and it has specific evidence requirements.

This PDA for assessors is one of the benchmark qualifications for assessors 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 assessor when delivering SQA regulated qualifications on the RQF and SCQF, such as SVQ group awards or units, where achievement of an appropriate assessor qualification is required for compliance with assessment strategies of regulated vocational qualifications.

It is highly recommended that centres refer to specific assessment strategy requirements, where appropriate, when choosing an appropriate workplace assessor qualification.

This PDA is for those who assess workplace competence in the workplace, requiring a wider range of assessment methods, and who make the final assessment decision to confirm achievement in a range of situations, such as assessing:

• 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 assessor role to ensure they are able to generate the required work-based evidence.

Furthermore, assessor-candidates must have access to two learners for assessment purposes in order to meet the evidence requirements.

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

Assessor-candidates would have the opportunity of progressing to other PDAs, such as the PDA in Internal Verification of Workplace Assessment at SCQF level 8 or the SVQ in Learning and Development at SCQF level 8 or 9.

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.

The unit specification gives detailed information on the evidence requirements and approaches to assessment for the unit.