An NVQ assessor ensures that an individual has met the industry standard for obtaining an NVQ in his or her line of work. An assessor would be tasked with planning and delivering training programmes and workshops, assessing candidates at the workplace, examining a candidate’s portfolio and ensuring that the candidate knows how to handle unusual or unique situations and incidents related to his or her line of work. If a candidate does not meet NVQ standards, then the assessor should give the candidate advice on how to improve his or her qualifications. If all the requirements have been met, the assessor will state for the record that the candidate has met National Vocational Qualification standards.

An NVQ assessor also meets regularly with other assessors. He or she usually works closely with a company’s or organisation’s training department. The NVQ assessor would also be assessed on a regular basis. This work is done by either an internal or external verifier.

Income and Work Hours

A person who is considering training for the job of NVQ assessor will naturally want to know whether the job pays well and what the hours are like. An NVQ assessor can expect to work between thirty five and forty hours a week. While the assessor will usually work on weekdays, many NVQ assessors are required to work weekends as well in order to accommodate an NVQ candidate’s schedule.

How much an NVQ assessor is paid per year depends on which company he or she works for. Naturally, an NVQ assessor that has experience will receive a higher salary than one fresh out of school. However, on average, an NVQ assessor can expect to earn an annual income in the range of £16,000 to £25,000.

NVQ Assessor Training

A person who wishes to become an NVQ assessor will need to undergo NVQ assessor training. The first requirement for trainees is that they have experience, knowledge and skill in the sector that they will be assessing. Having a university degree in the field of assessment is a plus, but it may not be necessary in all instances.

Many training centres and colleges throughout the UK offer NVQ assessor training courses. Besides taking the NVQ assessor training course, one will also need to interview at least a couple of NVQ candidates in order to gain official certification as an NVQ assessor.

Up until recently, an NVQ assessor was required to have A1 certification. This has been replaced with varying other qualifications. There are currently three Level 3 Award Certificates. These are for assessing competence at work, assessing vocationally related achievement and assessing vocational achievement. One would only need to obtain the certificate that best relates to the field which he or she will be assessing. In order to obtain any one of the above mentioned certificates, one has to complete the Level Three Award in Understanding Principles and Practices of Assessment.

NVQ Assessor training for an assessor who will be working in the construction industry is slightly different. This training can be obtained from the Association of Construction Assessors and Verifiers. A person who wishes to work as an NVQ assessor in this field will still need to show prior experience and knowledge of the construction industry.

Further Information on NVQ Assessor Training

A person who is serious about becoming an NVQ assessor should compile a resume of his or her qualifications. One will then need to find a suitable college or course to take. A trainee may also find that some colleges and training centres offer NVQ assessor training that can be completed over the internet. The website www.nvq-assessor.org.uk/nvq-assessor-training has more information that can help one to choose the right form of training.

Becoming a Verifier

Once an individual has become an NVQ assessor, he or she can become either an external or internal verifier. As was noted above, an NVQ verifier assesses the NVQ assessors. Verifiers make sure the NVQ assessors are knowledgeable in their field of expertise and are using the right standards for their assessments.

The procedures for becoming an internal verifier and an external verifier vary slightly. In order to become an internal verifier, one will need to obtain Level 4 certification in Internal Quality Assurance for Assessment Processes and Practice and Level 4 Certification in Leading the Internal Quality Assurance for Assessment Processes and Practice. A person who intends to become an external verifier will need to obtain a Level 4 Award in External Assurance Assessment Processes as well as Level 4 Certification in Leading External Quality Assurance Assessment Processes and Practice.

Personal Skills that an NVQ Assessor Should Have

An NVQ assessor should have good interpersonal and people handling skills. The assessor should be a good listener and be able to provide an objective assessment of any candidate. The assessor should also have good speaking skills. He or she must be able to explain industry standards in a clear yet tactful way.

An NVQ assessor must also have patience, tolerance and the ability to motivate people. This is particularly important if the assessor is working to train employees. The assessor will also need to be able to handle reports in a competent manner.

A person who works as an NVQ assessor will be able to make a decent yearly wage. There are plenty of job openings in this line of work, especially for a person with experience and proper educational qualifications. The training course is relatively simple and there are many colleges and training centres that provide this form of training.

An NVQ assessor will be able to interact with people from all walks of life. An individual who enjoys working with people and interacting with others on a regular basis may want to consider becoming either an NVQ assessor or an NVQ verifier. Both jobs open doors to many various opportunities, especially if a person is willing to take his or her training even further and become officially qualified in the field of education.

What are the qualifications about?

The Award in Assessing Candidates (Assessor and Verifier Awards) is designed for people who want to assess NVQ/SVQ candidates.

You’ll gain the skills needed for collecting and judging evidence of competence. You can choose to specialise in:

• assessing candidates using a range of methods
• assessing candidates’ performance through observation
• conducting internal quality assurance of the assessment process.

Each route focuses on different aspects of undertaking assessments.

Who are they for?

The Award in Assessing Candidates (Assessor and Verifier Awards) is for people with specialist skills who want to assess candidates undertaking NVQs or SVQs in their particular specialism.

Level 3:

You’re experienced in a particular subject area. You want to be able to use your experience to assess others taking NVQ or SVQ qualifications.

Level 4:

You support other assessors and ensure they offer a high quality level of assessment. You might want to continue your professional development or gain further insight into assessment quality control.

Level 3 Award in Assessing Candidates’ Performance (Assessor and Verifier Awards)

Award in Assessing Candidates’ Performance Using a Range of Methods (Assessor and Verifier Awards)

You complete 4 core units:

• Develop plans for assessing competence with candidates
• Judge evidence against criteria to make assessment decisions
• Provide feedback and support to candidates on assessment decisions
• Contribute to the internal quality assurance process.

Award in Assessing Candidates’ Performance Through Observation (Assessor and Verifier Awards)

You complete 4 core units:

• Agreeing and review plans for assessing candidates’ performance
• Assessing candidates’ performance against the agreed standards
• Assessing candidates’ knowledge against the agreed standards
• Making an assessment decision and provide feedback.

Level 4 Award in Conducting Internal Quality Assurance of the Assessment Process (Assessor and Verifier Awards)

You complete 1 core unit:

Conduct internal quality assurance of the assessment process.

When you take a course with GSS we will provide you with support, guidance and resources to ensure you have everything you need to successfully achieve the highest possible standard in your chosen field.

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