1. CERTIFICATE
in
Assessing Vocational
Achievement
Level 3
Land Transport
Henry Brett MMXI

2. Aim
• To develop knowledge & understanding of vocational
qualifications & the roles of individuals who are involved
in the assessment process.
Objectives
• Identify the different roles of individuals involved
vocational qualifications.
• Explain terminology used in the assessment process.
• Define the role of an assessor.
• Plan and conduct an assessment.
Land Transport
Henry Brett MMXI

3. Introduction
Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement
– Has been developed from National Standards
produced by the Employment National Training
Organisations.
– Aimed at ensuring quality assurance within the
assessment and verification of vocational
qualifications.
– Will contribute to the overall performance of the
training industry.
– Is generic and can be used in relation to
qualifications in all industries & occupations.
Land Transport
Henry Brett MMXI

4. Introduction
Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement:
• Is designed for those people involved in training and
work-based learning which involves:
 Assessing candidates against agreed standards of
competence using a range of assessment methods.
 Giving candidates feedback on your assessment
decisions.
 Contributing to the internal quality assurance
processes.
Land Transport
Henry Brett MMXI

5. Introduction
Vocational Qualifications are:
•
Developed from National Occupational
Standards that are based on job responsibilities
within an industry.
•
Work based qualifications that assess an
individuals competence to do a job.
•
Different from more traditional qualifications
because;
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
There are no formal entry requirements.
There are no examinations.
Assessment is via a portfolio of evidence.
They take account of previous experience.
Assessment is in the work environment.
Land Transport
They are nationally recognised by the relevant industry
Each unit can be achieved individually.
Henry Brett MMXI

6. Competence of The Assessor
Definition of a competent assessor:
– Has experience in the occupational area
covered by the national standards at the level
he/she will assess.
– Is qualified to the national standards for
assessment.
– Keeps his or her occupational competence up
to date through a range of continuing
professional development activities (CPD).
Land Transport
Henry Brett MMXI

7. Mandatory Units
Unit 1 - Understanding the principles and practices
of assessment.
Unit 2 - Assess occupational competence in the
work environment.
Unit 3 - Assess vocational skills, knowledge and
understanding.
Land Transport
Henry Brett MMXI

8. Key Organisations
Sector Skills Councils (SSC) – GoSkills
– Develop qualification standards.
– Responsible for the on-going maintenance,
control of, and revision of national standards.
Qualifications & Curriculum Authority (QCA)
– Work with awarding bodies to publish a code of
practice to promote quality, consistency and
fairness in assessment and awarding of all
vocational qualifications.
Land Transport
Henry Brett MMXI

9. Key Organisations
Awarding Bodies
Education Development International (edi)
– Responsible for developing assessment
strategies, defining the ‘rules’ for assessment and
verification of vocational qualifications.
– Responsible for developing qualifications from
national standards.
– Provide advice and guidance to centres.
Land Transport
Henry Brett MMXI

10. Key Organisations
Assessment Centres
– Responsible for registration, certification and
maintenance of candidate records.
– Provide fair assessment to national standards
through trained, competent and qualified staff.
Activity 1 (Workbook Page 4)
– Matching Responsibilities with Key Organisations.
Land Transport
Henry Brett MMXI

11. Responsibilities & Roles
External Verifier
– Monitor the performance of centres.
Internal Verifier
– Provide advice and support to assessors.
– Monitor assessor performance.
– Devise assessment systems and policies.
– Monitor quality assurance.
Land Transport
Henry Brett MMXI

12. Responsibilities & Roles
Assessors
– Develop plans for assessing candidates
competence.
– Give candidates feedback about their
performance.
– Review candidate progress throughout the
qualification process.
Activity 2 (Workbook Page 5)
– Responsibilities in an Approved Centre.
Land Transport
Henry Brett MMXI

13. Structure of a Vocational
Qualification
UNIT – A major task for a particular job role
ELEMENT – The task is split into component parts
PERFORMANCE
CRITERIA
KNOWLEDGE
&
UNDERSTANDING
Land Transport
Henry Brett MMXI

14. Evidence & Vocational
Qualifications
Evidence:
– Must come from real working environment.
– Must come from current work or arise from
previous experience.
– Where work placements are used, work must be
real and prove consistent performance over a
period of time.
– Must not be derived from training situations.
Land Transport
Henry Brett MMXI

15. Types of Evidence
Performance evidence
– Confirms a candidate’s performance in a real
working environment.
Knowledge evidence
– Confirms a candidate’s knowledge of the task
being assessed.
Prior achievement
– Evidence from another time or place which the
candidate wants to use towards their qualification.
Activity 3 (Workbook Page 6)
– Vocational Qualifications & Types of Evidence.
Land Transport
Henry Brett MMXI

16. Four Assessment Stages
1. Initial Planning:
– Identifies the most suitable qualification for the
candidate.
– The most suitable optional units for the candidate.
– Highlights any development needs or extra
support the candidate may require.
Activity 4 (Workbook Page 7)
– Initial Planning.
Land Transport
Henry Brett MMXI

17. Four Assessment Stages
2. Assessment Planning:
– Identifies what units are going to be assessed.
– Identifies what assessment methods the assessor
intends to use.
– Shows the time and place where the assessor will
meet his/her candidate.
– Helps the assessor to plan and manage time
effectively, ensuring the assessment is cost
effective.
Activity 5 (Workbook Page 9)
– Effective Planning for Assessment.
Land Transport
Henry Brett MMXI

18. Four Assessment Stages
3. Obtaining Evidence:
– Through observation.
– Work product evidence.
– Witness testimony.
– Personal statements.
– Workbooks.
– Written questioning.
– Oral questioning.
Land Transport
Henry Brett MMXI

19. Four Assessment Stages
4. Making Judgements: (Assessment Methods)
• When making judgements about the best assessment
methods to be used, the assessor will refer to the
following criteria;
 Valid - Measures what it’s supposed to measure.
 Authentic - Confirms that evidence is candidate’s own work.
 Reliable - Produces consistent results.
 Current - Proves current competence.
 Sufficient - Is there enough evidence from the candidate?
 Safe - Results in good quality evidence.
 Fair – Suitable to the needs of the candidate.
Activity 6
(Workbook Page 10-11)
– Criteria for Assessment Methods.
Land Transport
Henry Brett MMXI

20. Four Assessment Stages
4. Making Judgements: (Assessor Judgements)
• When making judgements about candidate’s evidence,
the assessor uses the same criteria as assessment
methods but in a slightly different context.
• The assessor must decide if the candidate’s evidence;
– Is acceptable.
– Meets all relevant requirements of units and
elements being assessed.
– Proves consistent and current competence.
– Is authentic
Activity 7 (Workbook Page 12-13)
– Criteria for Assessor Judgements.
Land Transport
Henry Brett MMXI

21. Internal Quality Assurance
The Internal Verifier:
– Is not an inspector that finds fault or rectifies faults and
omissions.
– Is an advisor and provider of constructive feedback to
individual assessors and the assessment team.
The Assessor:
– Must fully understand their responsibilities in the quality
assurance process.
– Works closely with the internal verifier & the assessment
team to ensure quality of assessment is maintained.
Activity 8 (Workbook Page 14-15)
– Your Part in Internal Quality Assurance.
Land Transport
Henry Brett MMXI

22. Data Protection & Confidentiality
Data Protection Act:
– Applies to data which is held manually as well as that held
on computer.
– Contains regulations relating to obtaining, holding, use of
or disclosure of personal data relating to living customers.
Confidentiality:
– Candidates’ confidentiality and records must be protected
by you and your organisation.
– You should be familiar with your centre’s procedures for
confidentiality and comply with them at all times.
Activity 9 (Workbook Page 16)
– Data Protection and Confidentiality.
Land Transport
Henry Brett MMXI

23. Complaints & Appeals
Complaints Procedure:
– Is an internal procedure dealt with by relevant staff in the
centre.
– Is used when a candidate has a complaint about the
centre or any of its staff.
Appeals Procedure:
– Is designed to protect the candidate’s right to fair
assessment.
– Is used when a candidate wants to appeal against an
assessment decision made by an assessor.
Activity 10 (Workbook Page 17)
– Complaints & Appeals Procedures.
Land Transport
Henry Brett MMXI

24. Assessor Portfolio
• Familiarise yourself with all sections of the portfolio.
• Complete the underpinning knowledge question bank.
• Complete candidate claim to competence.
Practical Assessments
– Select TWO candidates.
– Conduct an initial assessment on these two candidates
to identify any extra support that may be required.
– Plan and conduct your first assessment using the
materials for your centre.
– Give your candidates written feedback as well as verbal
feedback.
Land Transport
Henry Brett MMXI

25. Thank You!
Any Questions?
Land Transport
Henry Brett MMXI