Career Guidance
Assessor
Key Information
Salary: £18,000 – £30,000
Hours: 37 – 40 per week
Requirements
To become an assessor, you must complete one of the following qualifications, and be suitably qualified in the subject matter area you plan to assess. Many organisations require you to be qualified to at least a level above that which you will assess, although this depends on the sector.
- Level 3 Award in Assessing Competence in the Work Environment
Designed for people who plan to assess occupational competence in a learner’s work environment. - Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocationally-Related Achievement
Aimed at people who plan to assess vocational knowledge, skills and understanding in an environment outside of the learner’s work environment (e.g. in a training environment). - Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement
Aimed at people who plan to assess learners both in their work environment and outside – it involves assessing both occupational competence and vocationally related achievement
What Does an Assessor Do?
As an assessor, your responsibilities will include:
- Planning assessment activities
- Observing and assessing learners
- Examining portfolios of evidence
- Providing feedback to learners
- Ensuring that learners have met all the assessment criteria
- Maintain assessment records
- Participate in staff meetings and standardisation activities
You’ll also need to ensure that you maintain your own occupational competence and expertise.
Career Progression
You could progress to become a lead assessor – managing a team or move into teaching. You could also undertake further study to become an Internal Quality Assurer (IQA) or an External Quality Assurer (EQA).
External Quality Assurer
Key Information
Salary: £27,000 – £34,000 + expenses
Hours: 37 per week
Requirements
To become an External Quality Assurer (EQA), you must complete a suitable qualification and be occupationally competence in the area you plan to quality assure.
- Level 4 Award in Understanding the External Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice
Consists of 1 knowledge-based unit and is ideal for those who are not yet working as an EQA, or as a refresher course for those who are.
- Level 4 Award in the External Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice
Consists of 2 units. The first is knowledge-based (as outlined above) while the second is a competency unit for which you must be observed by a qualified EQA
What Does an External Quality Assurer Do?
A Qualified EQA’s Duties and Responsibilities Will Include:
• Carrying out Centre Approval Visits
• Visiting allocated Centres to sample learner portfolios, assessment plans and Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) reports to determine risk levels.
• Audit customer learner management processes and procedures to ensure they conform to the requirements of the awarding organisation for which you are employed.
• Make recommendations for any necessary improvements and produce action plans for their implementation.
• Produce written feedback reports following visits.
• Provide support, guidance and training to Centres and their staff.
Career Progression
if you want to work with an awarding organisation, you should undertake the relevant qualification to become an External Quality Assurer.
Internal Quality Assurer
Key Information
Salary: £32,000 – £40,000
Hours: 37 – 40 per week
Requirements
To become an Internal Quality Assurer (IQA), you must complete a suitable qualification and be occupationally competence in the area you plan to quality assure.
- Level 4 Award in Understanding the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice
Consists of 1 knowledge-based unit and is ideal for those who are not yet working as an IQA, or as a refresher course for those who are.
- Level 4 Award in the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice
Consists of 2 units. The first is knowledge-based (as outlined above) while the second is a competency unit for which you must be observed by a qualified IQA.
What Does an Internal Quality Assurer Do?
A Qualified IQA’s Duties and Responsibilities Will Include:
- Sampling learner portfolios, and assessment plans and feedback
- Ensuring assessment decisions are fair, valid, reliable.
- Audit customer learner management processes and procedures to ensure they conform to the requirements of the awarding organisation for which your centre is approved
- Make recommendations to assessors for any necessary improvements and training needs, and produce action plans for their implementation.
- Produce written feedback reports following sampling activities.