What is the purpose of this qualification?
This Level 3 qualification is designed to provide learners with the skills and knowledge to be able to appropriately assess the vocational achievements of other learners.
The qualification is suitable for people who are teaching, coaching or training and/or who need to be able to assess vocational skills, on-the-job or in a training company, FE College, Adult Learning Service or a company’s internal training department. It is also suitable for learners who want to diversify into training and assessing on a part-time basis.
This qualification is approved to be offered in England only.
What skills, knowledge, or understanding does this qualification develop?
This qualification covers the core skills, knowledge and understanding needed to work as an assessor of vocational qualifications.
The qualification comprises of 15 credits and requires 84 guided learning hours.
The qualification comprises 3 Mandatory units which cover the following areas:
• Assess Occupational Competence in the Work Environment
• Assess Vocational Skills, Knowledge and Understanding
• Understanding the Principles and Practice of Assessment
It is acknowledged that some learners may need or wish to take the qualification on its own, for example, learners who work on a part-time or voluntary basis and therefore will not be eligible for employer funding. Learners eligible for advanced learning loans and wishing to undertake this qualification may be able to use the loan to fund their learning.
How is this qualification different from other, similar qualifications?
The Gateway Qualifications Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement is suitable for learners who want a qualification which is suitable for a wide range of assessor roles as it allows learners to evidence understanding of the theory of assessment practices as well as demonstrating competency as an assessor.
Although there are alternative smaller Assessor Awards at Level 3, these do not provide learners with the full range of skills required to assess vocational qualifications.
Gateway Qualifications offers other Level 3 and 4 qualifications which may be more suitable if learners wish to teach within the Further Education sector. The following qualifications are available from Gateway Qualifications:
• Gateway Qualifications Level 3 Award in Education and Training – which is suitable for people entering the FE teaching sector as it provides an introduction to the role of the teacher in FE
• Gateway Qualifications Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training – which
Which sector does this qualification support?
The qualification strengthens the employability of learners, who if already employed can lead to internal advancement or provide an entry point to new training/coaching roles. Learners would typically be employed as Trainer/Assessors, Coaches and Tutors. Learners could also work in self-employed roles such as Peripatetic Assessor, working for a range of employers.
What are the progression options?
Learners can study for this qualification alongside a formal teaching qualification such as:
• Gateway Qualifications Level 3 Award in Education and Training
• Gateway Qualifications Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training
or can progress onto Internal Quality Assurance qualifications, such as Gateway Qualifications Level 4 Award in the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice, which enhances and expands their skills and knowledge and provides further employment and self-employment opportunities.
Progression & entry requirements
The qualification is available to learners aged 16 and above. No prior qualifications or specific level of attainment are required. However it is expected that learners should be able to work at level 2 or above or have equivalent work experience in management.
Learners should be proficient in the use of the English language. Learners must be occupationally competent in the vocational area that they wish to assess.
