NVQ Assessor

NVQ assessors work with candidates to help them meet the occupational standards (competences) needed to gain National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs).

An assessor will first identify what a new NVQ candidate knows and is able to do. The assessor and candidate then agree an action plan that will enable the candidate to develop the additional competences needed to gain the NVQ award. Assessors also support candidates as they work through their individual action plans.

The work includes:

• visiting candidates in their own workplaces to observe and record their work-based performance
• questioning candidates on a one-to-one basis to assess their underpinning knowledge
• examining and evaluating candidates' portfolios of evidence
• giving candidates detailed feedback after an assessment
• recording candidates' performance and signing off units as they are completed
• compiling records that are passed on to the NVQ awarding bodies.

Some NVQ assessors are self-employed; some are employed on a part-time or full-time basis; and many perform their role within a broader teaching or training role. They usually work with candidates in colleges of further education (FE), private training organisations or as in-house assessors in large companies. To meet the needs of candidates, assessors need to be flexible in their working hours and to be prepared to travel to different workplaces.

For employed assessors, salaries range from £16,000 up to about £35,000 a year. Freelance assessors work on the basis of an hourly rate.

NVQ assessors must:

• have recent experience in the occupational area they are assessing
• have well developed speaking, listening and writing skills
• be able to encourage and motivate candidates
• enjoy working with people
• have an interest in promoting education and training.

Depending on where they carry out assessments, assessors must gain either an A1 Award (Certificate in Assessing Candidates using a Range of Methods) or A2 Award (Certificate in Assessing Candidates' Performance through Observation). Training is available through many colleges and training organisations. To gain these in-service qualifications, applicants must already be involved in the assessment of NVQ candidates.

An experienced assessor can train to become an internal verifier (IV) or external verifier (EV).

Further details