NVQ Assessor
Further Details

What is the work like?
NVQ/SVQ assessors are responsible for ensuring that people working towards National or Scottish Vocational Qualifications meet the required standards. Through NVQ/SVQ qualifications, candidates demonstrate that they have the practical skills and theoretical understanding for a specific occupation, at the appropriate level.
All NVQ/SVQ assessors have occupational experience, eg to assess hairdressers the assessor must be a qualified hairdresser. Through their work, assessors enable candidates working in a wide range of vocational areas, such as administration, hospitality and childcare, to gain their chosen NVQ/SVQ.
As NVQs/SVQs are work-based qualifications, assessors visit candidates in their workplace to check that they meet the required occupational standards. As part of their work, assessors:

• observe trainees and assess the standard of their practical work
• read through and assess portfolios of evidence produced by their trainees
• plan the assessment process, giving detailed feedback, support and advice to candidates
• keep detailed records of their candidates’ progress and pass on relevant information to the NVQ/SVQ awarding bodies.

Assessors usually work with a number of candidates at the same time. Some assessors are work-based and assess in the workplace while continuing to be employed in an occupationally related work role, eg as a care worker. However, others travel to many different locations to undertake assessments.
Assessors work as part of an assessment team with other assessors and at least one internal verifier. They may need to liaise with training staff within their centre and keep them informed of candidates’ progress.
For most people, undertaking NVQ/SVQ assessments is part of a wider job role such as trainer or tutor. In many cases, assessors also plan and deliver NVQ/SVQ training programmes.
Starting salaries are around £16,000 a year.

Hours and environment

NVQ/SVQ assessors usually work around 37 hours a week, from 9am to 5pm. Some employers provide flexible working schemes.
NVQ/SVQ assessors can be based in an office, but spend a lot of their time in different sites within one geographical location. They regularly travel between their offices and their candidates’ workplaces. The ability to drive is useful.
It is possible to undertake this work on a part-time basis and there are also opportunities for self-employment.

Salary and other benefits

These figures are only a guide, as actual rates of pay may vary, depending on the employer and where people live.

• Starting salaries range from £16,000 to £20,000 a year.
• With experience it is possible to earn £25,000 upwards.
• At senior levels, with additional activities such as training or verifying, it is possible to earn £35,000 upwards.

Many professionals undertake NVQ/SVQ assessments in addition to their existing occupational duties, and are paid pro rata.

Skills and personal qualities

NVQ/SVQ assessors need:

• strong communication skills
• good team working skills
• the ability to work to strict standards and guidelines
• good organisational ability
• a patient and supportive approach
• the confidence to visit different workplaces and to work with candidates
• occupational competence in the area that they are assessing to at least the level of award being assessed.

Interests

They should be interested in:

• promoting education and training
• improving standards within their particular job sector.

Getting in

There are many opportunities in this area. NVQ/SVQ assessors can find work within NVQ/SVQ Assessment Centres, training centres, colleges and private companies. There is a strong demand for assessors in many vocational sectors, including, for example, care, sport, hospitality and retail.
Jobs are advertised through the local and national press, and also in sector publications such as People Management.
Most people undertake this work as part of a wider training role. For professionals already in a training/teaching job, their role may develop to include NVQ/SVQ assessment after gaining the relevant qualifications.

Entry for young people

NVQ/SVQ assessors must have occupational experience in the subject or work area they are assessing. Some employers may specify at least two years’ experience and, for some roles, managerial experience is also required. This means that it is not possible for a person without a period of employment experience and responsibility to work as an NVQ/SVQ assessor.
NVQ/SVQ assessors are required to have an assessment qualification, which is usually gained whilst working.

They must have either of the following:

• A1 Certificate (assesses candidates using a range of methods)
• A2 Certificate (assesses candidates’ performance through observation).

To gain these qualifications, assessor candidates must build up a portfolio of evidence and have their practical skills assessed in the workplace. Individuals must be able to work with actual NVQ/SVQ candidates through their workplace or an assessment centre. These qualifications usually take a year to complete.
The qualifications are available through a range of training providers. Some providers specify that courses are open only to experienced professionals put forward by their employers and that candidates must be qualified to Level 3 or equivalent in their selected occupational area. Others require that candidates are members of an accredited NVQ/SVQ Centre’s Assessment Team.

Entry for adults

As NVQ/SVQ assessors are usually required to have at least two years’ experience in their vocational area, often at managerial or supervisory level, there are more opportunities for adults than for young people.
Experience of teaching or training in the chosen area is an advantage.

Training

NVQ/SVQ assessors continually need to keep up to date with developments in their particular sector through workshops and courses provided by relevant professional organisations.
Assessors can go on to gain further professional qualifications in order to broaden their role, for example, working as Internal Verifiers (working at an assessment centre) or External Verifiers (working for awarding bodies). This involves checking the standard of work of NVQ/SVQ assessors and the training centres in which they are based.
To do this, they must gain the V1 qualification (Conduct Internal Quality Assurance of the Assessment Process) to work as an Internal Verifier or the V2 qualification (Conduct External Quality Assurance of the Assessment Process) to work as an External Verifier. To work as an External Verifier, individuals need to have been appointed by the awarding body for which they work.

Getting on

As well as gaining the V1 or V2 units, assessors can gain other relevant assessment qualifications to broaden their role and enable them to take on further managerial or training responsibilities. These include:

• City & Guilds Certificate in Further Education Teaching Level 4
• City & Guilds Teaching Adult Learners Level 3
• NVQ/SVQ Levels 3, 4 and 5 in Learning and Development
• NVQ/SVQ Level 3 in Direct Training and Support.

Some NVQ/SVQ assessors go on to work in training or development roles within assessment centres, NVQ/SVQ training providers, colleges or companies.
There are opportunities for self-employment.

Further information

Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), 151 The Broadway, London SW19 1JQ. 020 8612 6200. Website: www.cipd.co.uk
City & Guilds, 1 Giltspur Street, London EC1A 9DD. 020 7294 2800. Website: www.city-and-guilds.co.uk
ENTO, 4th Floor, Kimberley House, 47 Vaughan Way, Leicester LE1 4SG. 0116 251 7979. Website: www.ento.co.uk

Further reading

Assessing NVQs - QCA
The NVQ Assessor and Verifier Handbook - Kogan Page
Excellence in Assessment and Verification - ENTO
Excellence in Initial Assessment - ENTO
Magazines/journals:
People Management