Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement

SQA code: GA2X 70

Ofqual code: 501/2181/9

Qualification Wales code: C00/3350/1

Total Qualification Time: 150 hours

Guided Learning Hours: 84 hours

Credit value: 15

 

This qualification covers the following areas:

Understanding the Principles and Practices of Assessment

Assess Vocational Skills, Knowledge and Understanding

Assess Occupational Competence in the Work Environment

This qualification may be available through employers, training providers and colleges,

and is offered in England and Wales. This qualification is appropriate for the assessment of RQF and CQFW qualifications.

Rationale and purpose of this qualification

The qualification has been developed using the National Occupational Standards (NOS) for Learning and Development, and is designed to meet the assessor requirements of sector skills councils as defined in their assessment strategies.

Successful achievement of the award qualifies the award-holder for the delivery and assessment of vocational qualifications in the work environment. It is also suitable for those who deliver vocational qualifications with applied learning.

Award-holders can build on the skills and knowledge gained following achievement of the other, smaller qualifications, such as the Level 3 Awards in Assessing Competence in the Work Environment or Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement.

The primary purpose of this qualification is to equip assessor-candidates with the requisite skills, knowledge and understanding for the assessment of both occupational competence in the work environment, and vocational skills, knowledge and understanding in non-workplace settings, such as a classroom, workshop or training environment.  

Candidates' performance is assessed via a portfolio of evidence that details the activities they have completed. The evidence is produced by various methods of assessment appropriate to the task being carried out — for example, direct observation, professional discussion, witness testimony and supporting documentary evidence. The assessor can work alongside the assessor-candidate to confirm that they have met the requirements of the qualification and that they are, therefore, competent in their role.

Learners who achieve this qualification can use it to gain employment, to progress in the industry, or to work towards another qualification (see Progression).

Objectives

The qualification is designed to provide candidates with:

  • the requisite knowledge and understanding of the principles and practices that underpin assessment
  • the skills of assessing occupational competence in an individual's work environment
  • the skills of assessing vocational skills, knowledge and understanding in environments other than the workplace

What does this qualification cover?

As this is a knowledge- and competence-based qualification, assessor-candidates will be acquiring the knowledge and skills required through on-the-job experience or in a learning environment.

To achieve the whole qualification, assessor-candidates need 15 credits.  They must complete three mandatory units (15 credits points) from the following structure:

  • Understanding the principles and practices of assessment
  • Assess Occupational competence in the work environment
  • Assess vocational skills, knowledge and understanding

Who is this qualification for?

This qualification is suitable for:

Practitioners who assess competence both in the workplace, and vocational skills and knowledge and understanding in a non-workplace environments.

Entry

Entry to the qualification is at the discretion of the centre. Whilst there are no specific skills, knowledge, understanding or any other qualifications that must be achieved to start this qualification, assessor-candidates must have the potential and opportunity to gain this qualification successfully. 

This qualification is mainly taken by individuals employed as assessors requiring formal recognition of their knowledge and skills for regulatory requirement purposes.

Progression

The Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement can lead to employment as a qualified assessor in further education or training provision, or as a trainer and assessor in work-based learning.

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Qualification structure

Qualification Structure GA2X 70 (58 KB)

The qualification requires the assessor-candidate to complete three mandatory units (15 credit points).

  • Understanding the Principles and Practices of Assessment (FD49 70) (3 Credits)
  • Assess Vocational Skills, Knowledge and Understanding (FD48 70 ) (6 Credits)
  • Assess Occupational Competence in the Work Environment (FD47 70) (6 Credits)

Evidence trackers for centres are available on the SQA secure site.

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How to assess

The qualification is assessed by completing a portfolio of evidence that details what the assessor-candidate has completed at work. 

Method of assessment include observation, questioning/professional discussion, and inspection of supporting work product evidence.

Competence is assessed by the assessor observing the assessor-candidate demonstrating that they carry out their assessing activity competently; to the National Occupational Standards; and in compliance with the sector skills council's assessment strategy.

Learner portfolio

Assessment strategy/principle