PDA External Verification of Workplace Assessment SCQF level 9

The PDA in External Verification of Workplace Assessment at SCQF level 9 comprises a single SVQ unit derived from the National Occupation Standard (NOS) for external verifiers, CLDLD12, revised by the CLD Standards Council Scotland, sector skills council (SSC) to meet the occupational requirements of external verifiers of workplace assessment 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.

The PDA is deemed an appropriate qualification for the role of external verifier where achievement of an appropriate external verifier qualification is required for compliance with assessment strategies of regulated vocational qualifications on both the SCQF and RQF.

The PDA in External Verification of Workplace Assessment suits those who have been appointed as an external verifier by SQA Awarding Body, to monitor assessment processes and decisions in its approved centres of workplace competence and help to maintain and improve the quality of workplace assessment. The external quality assurance process being conducted by the external verifier-candidate can be for:

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

Access

The external verifier-candidate must be appointed as an external verifier by SQA Awarding Body.

Career opportunities include Senior External Verifier of SVQs and in-house competence standards.

Centres submit their invitation to confirm interest or invitation to tender (ITT) to deliver the PDA on behalf of SQA Awarding Body via the Public Contracts Scotland process.

For those centres who have a contract for carrying out external quality assurance on behalf of another awarding body but who wish to deliver the SQA qualification, evidence of the contract for external verification must be provided along with the approval submission.

Knowledge will be assessed by taking part in a professional discussion with the assessor, answering written or oral questions, providing a personal reflective account or a combination of these. Performance evidence of monitoring and maintaining the quality of assessment must be provided.

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