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NVQ assessor
Hours
37-40 per week
Starting salary
£16,000 + per year
If you like the idea of motivating and encouraging people from all walks of life and enjoy working at varied locations, this job could be exactly what you are looking for.
To become a full-time NVQ assessor you will need work experience in the sector you plan to assess, and Level 3 Awards in Assessing Competence and Achievement.
As well as having an interest in helping people develop, a good NVQ assessor has a lot of patience, and also likes writing accurate reports and keeping records.
WorkDesc
The work
NVQ assessors support and assess people working towards National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs). Your job would be to advise and help them, and make sure that they meet the vocational (or occupational) standards needed for achieving their chosen NVQ.
There is a wide range of activities that you may be involved in, such as:
- plan and deliver vocational training programmes and workshops
- observe and assess candidates in their workplace
- examine candidates' portfolios of evidence
- question candidates about how they would deal with non-standard situations
- provide feedback and offer advice if the standards are not met
- sign off the award when all the requirements have been met
- keep records of candidates' progress
- attend meetings with other assessors
- work closely with training staff and candidates' managers.
You could assess as part of a wider role within an organisation's training department, or as part of your main job, for example in retail or care work.
Internal and external verifiers carry out quality checks on the work of NVQ assessors and training centres, to make sure the assessment process is carried out properly.
HoursDesc
Hours
You would usually work between 37 and 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday.
You would assess candidates in their workplace so you may need to work evenings and weekends to fit in with their shifts.
You would usually be based at an office or training centre and would travel to your candidates' places of work.
IncomeDesc
Income
Full-time NVQ assessors and verifiers can earn from £16,000 to over £25,000 a year.
Some assessors are employed for specific periods of time, and are paid an hourly rate.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
EntryRequirementsDesc
Entry requirements
To become an NVQ assessor you need:
- Level 3 Award in Assessing Competence in the Work Environment – for assessing occupational competence in the workplace
- Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement – for assessing vocational skills, knowledge and understanding outside the workplace, for example in classrooms or workshops
- Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement – for assessing both occupational competence in the workplace, and skills, knowledge and understanding outside the workplace.
Each of these includes a knowledge and understanding unit and a practical application unit.
If you are new to assessing or hope to become an assessor but are not yet able to carry out real assessments, you can start with the knowledge and understanding unit. You can then complete the practical application unit relating to your chosen qualification once you are able to practice assessment. If you are able to carry out real assessments you will be able to complete both units at the same time.
It would also be an advantage if you have qualifications in your chosen area, especially vocational qualifications at Level 3 or above.
You can complete assessor qualifications at colleges and training centres. You will need to complete assessments in order to gain the qualification so you will need to have access to at least two vocational candidates.
For example, if you have experience in the construction industry and want to become an assessor in this industry, you can get support and training by joining the Association of Construction Assessors and Verifiers.
Once you are qualified and experienced as an assessor you may be able to complete further qualifications to become an internal verifier and external verifier. See the Further Training and development section below for details.
TrainingAndDevelopmentDesc
Training and development
To be an internal verifier you need:
- Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement
- experience of assessing in the same, or similar, occupational area to the one you will be verifying
- either a Level 4 Award in Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice
- or Level 4 Certificate in Leading the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice.
To be an external verifier you need:
- Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement
- experience of assessing in the same, or similar, occupational area to the one you will be verifying
- either a Level 4 Award in External Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice
- or a Level 4 Certificate in Leading the External Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice.
As an assessor, you may find it useful to complete training qualifications, such as the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Certificate in Learning and Development Practice. See the CIPD website for details.
You could also develop your career by completing further education teaching qualifications. See the LSIS Information and Advice website for details
Please see the further education lecturer job profile for more information.
SkillsAndKnowledgeDesc
Skills and knowledge
You will need:
- excellent communication skills
- the ability to motivate and encourage people
- an interest in helping people develop
- patience and tact
- the ability to relate to people at all levels
- accurate report writing and record keeping skills.
MoreInformationDesc
OpportunitiesDesc
Opportunities
You could work as an assessor or verifier in all occupational areas where vocational qualifications exist, for example construction, care, catering, engineering, retail and hairdressing. You could be employed by a training provider or college, or as an in-house assessor for a large organisation where staff complete vocational qualifications.
Vacancies are advertised in the press and on recruitment agency websites.
With relevant qualifications, you could move into further education teaching or training management.
Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework 
there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
LMIData
Related industry information
Industry summary
The work‐based learning industry is part of the lifelong learning sector, represented by Lifelong Learning UK Sector Skills Council, which also includes: community learning and development; further education; higher education; and libraries, archives and information services. The sector as a whole currently employs over 1.2 million people in a range of educational institutions, as well as public and private sector organisations.
The work based learning industry covers staff working for organisations concerned with the delivery of training and assessment for the workplace. The industry provides work focused learning opportunities relevant to the workplace environment. Staff work for:
- National training providers
- Specialist training providers
- Private sector training organisations
- Voluntary and community local community organisations
- Regional charities
- National third sector bodies
Staff can also work in: the training divisions of other bodies including large employers (such as travel or retail, further education colleges, Local Authorities, Higher Education institutions); or a specialist division within a body (such as a recruitment agency).
Key facts:
- In the industry, there are 41,525 working, of which:
- 30,000 staff in England
- 1,625 staff in Northern Ireland
- 6,900 in Scotland
- 3,000 in Wales
- In England, 36% of the workforce described their main activity as ‘teaching’.
- In England, 62% of the workforce is employed full‐time.
Jobs in the industry include: Head of department, senior lecturer, team leader, curriculum leader, lecturer, teacher, trainer, learning support staff, assessor, and internal verifier.
National and regional data
East Midlands – There are an estimated 2,581 people in the workforce in the region.
East of England – There are an estimated 3,054 people in the workforce in the region.
London – There are an estimated 4,476 people in the workforce in the region.
North East – There are an estimated 1,680 people in the workforce in the region.
North West – There are an estimated 3763 people in the workforce in the region.
South East – There are an estimated 5,347 people in the workforce in the region.
South West – There are an estimated 3,101 people in the workforce in the region.
West Midlands – There are an estimated 2,864 people in the workforce in the region.
Yorkshire and the Humber – There are an estimated 3,133 people in the workforce in the region.
Northern Ireland – There are an estimated 1,625 people in the workforce in the region.
Scotland – There are an estimated 6,900 people in the workforce in the region.
Wales – There are an estimated 3,000 people in the workforce in the region.
Career paths
Further sources
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