Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement
The Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (RQF) is for practitioners who assess the demonstration of competence in a work environment using the following assessment methods: observation, examining work products, oral questioning and discussion, use of others (e.g. witnesses), learner statements and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). It is also for practitioners who assess knowledge and/or skills in vocationally-related subject areas who use the following assessment methods: assessments in simulated environments, skills tests, oral and written questions, assignments, projects, case studies and RPL. This may take place in training workshops, classrooms or other learning environments.
Who should do this course?
The L3 CAVA is intended for those who wish to gain an understanding of the principles and practices of assessment without any requirement to practice as assessors. It is a knowledge-only award. It has been designed:
- For individuals who are not in an assessor’s role, or who have just started their journey as an assessor in the further education and skills sector / private sector
- For individuals who are interested in knowing more about assessment or who need to know about assessment practice as part of their role
- For individuals who want a short qualification to enable them to make career choices
- For individuals who are not currently practicing e.g. a starting point for aspiring assessors or a professional development qualification for managers, HR or quality assurance personnel
- For individuals who are carrying out assessments and quality assurance in most learning environments including FE, Adult Continuing Learning, Employers and Third Sector
- For individuals who are carrying out quality assurance in all occupational sectors
- For individuals working in accredited learning OR non accredited learning (where people may assess performance but do not assess for a qualification); the NQF and the RQF
- For individuals who have already achieved some Education & Training or Learning & Development units that can be carried forward into this qualification
- For individuals who have completed some introduction to training qualifications
Level of Qualification/Skill Level
Level 3 learning would include:
- A planned approach to reading and research relating to principles, theories and practice
- Evidence of a reflective approach
- Reflection on own practice grounded upon reading
- Consideration of how professional values impact on working in your area
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, you would:
- Understand the principles & requirements of assessment
- Understand different types of assessment methods
- Understand how to plan assessment
- Understand how to involve learners and others in assessment
- Understand how to make assessment decisions
- Understand own contribution to the quality assurance of assessment
- Understand how to manage information relating to assessment of occupational competence
- Understand the legal and good practice requirements in relation to assessment
- Be able to plan the assessment of occupational competence
- Be able to make assessment decisions about occupational competence
- Be able to provide required information following the assessment of occupational competence
- Be able to maintain legal and good practice requirements when assessing occupational competence
- Be able to prepare assessments of vocational skills, knowledge and understanding
- Be able to carry out assessments of vocational skills, knowledge and understanding
- Be able to provide required information following the assessment of vocational skills, knowledge and understanding
- Be able to maintain legal and good practice requirements when assessing vocational skills, knowledge and understanding
Prerequisites/Before the course
- You must be a minimum of 19 years old
- Good reading & writing skills in English
- A lot of ‘Patience’ (This is an intensive course!)
- Knowledge of the subject you wish to assess
- A passion for learning new things and generating enough evidence to cover the National Standards in order to PASS this qualification
- Access to 2 learners that you would be assessing during the practical assessment
- Filled an ‘Application Form’
- A photographic proof of identification [Any 1 of the following]
- Valid Passport with VISA (any nationality)
- Signed UK Photo Card Driving Licence
- Valid Warrant Card issued by HM Forces or Police
- Other photographic ID card, e.g. Employee ID Card (must be current employer), Student ID Card, Travel card, etc.
Awarding Organisation
- An OFQUAL approved nationally recognised Awarding Organisation (e.g. HABC or TQUK)
Certificate Title
Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (There is no mention of the mode of study on the certificate – People get the same certificate whether they attend the class based course or the online course)
Possible Results
- PASS / REFER – You cannot fail the course!!! (If there is anything that needs amendments on your theory assignments, the assessor would give you action points with guidance on how to achieve them in the next go! Then the assessor would observe your assessments of your 2 learners in 2 situations for each unit. Once you are done with your theory & practical assignments, you would be more than ready to be certificated!!!
Course Fees & VAT
- £500 + £100 (20% VAT) = £600 (No hidden charges!)
Assessments
The assessments would consist of a few of these assessment methods: (based on your situation and requirements)
For workplace assessments: Essay Type Assignments | Observation of your performance in the work environment | Examining your work products | Verbal questioning | Professional Discussion | Use of others (Witness Testimony) | Looking at your statements | Recognition of prior learning (RPL)
For vocational assessments: Assessments in simulated environments | Skills tests | Oral and written questions | Assignments | Projects | Case studies | RPL
- This unit assesses a candidate assessor’s competence in assessing the occupational competence of others as well as a candidate assessor’s competence in assessing a learner’s vocational skills, knowledge and understanding in contexts other than a work environment, e.g. in a simulated environment, in a workshop or classroom
- Written Statements or Essay Type Answers by the candidate assessor – You would get the Guidance Notes on how to answer the theory assignments to keep you on track.
- Primary evidence for the learning outcomes and assessment criteria must come from the candidate assessor assessing 2 learners on 2 occasions in a real work environment against standards/criteria that are approved by the organisation
- Primary evidence for the learning outcomes and assessment criteria must also come from the candidate assessor assessing 2 learners on 2 occasions on a vocational skills test against standards/criteria that are approved by the organisation
- These standards/criteria may include national occupational standards, components of qualifications or in-house standards
- Each assessment must be a substantial but realistic and manageable piece of a learner’s work
- Each unit covers 7 assessment methods in total. The candidate assessor must show that they have covered a minimum of 3 of these assessment methods in their real practice
- The candidate assessor is allowed, if necessary, to provide other forms of evidence – e.g. through a statement or by discussion – to show how they would use the other assessment methods
- Professional Discussion(s) between the candidate assessor and their own assessor
Course Compatibility/Progression
The qualification allows candidates to progress into employment as assessors, as well as to the following qualifications:
- Level 4 Award in Understanding the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice (RQF)
- Level 4 Award in the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice (RQF)
- Level 4 Certificate in Leading the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice (RQF)
- Level 4 Award and Certificate in External Quality Assurance qualifications
There is a progression route through these qualifications but it is not mandatory that they are done in any order – unless this is required by the assessment strategy for the qualification that the candidate assessor or candidate Internal Quality Assurer (IQA) may be using to achieve their units. For example, in some sectors it is not compulsory to be an assessor before being an IQA. So a candidate could do the IQA qualification without doing any of the assessment ones first. These requirements can be discussed at a later stage and an in-depth initial assessment can be conducted in order to guide candidates to undertake the most appropriate units or qualification for their particular role and situation at that time.