Level 3 Award in Assessing Competence in the Work Environment

This Level 3 Award in Assessing Competence in the Work Environment (TAQA) course is aimed at candidates who observe candidates in their work place. This is not suitable for teachers, lectures or anyone who assesses in classroom or workshop environments. You will assess mainly by recognising prior learning, observing, examining products of work, questioning, discussing and use of others (witness testimony).

This assessing course is made up of two units. Unit 1 focuses on the underpinning knowledge regarding the role of assessment. Unit 2 focuses on assessing candidates in their own workplace.

If you wanted to assess learners in other environments apart from their work place you need to consider either the Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement or Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement.

The course is designed for individuals who want to be recognised as NVQ assessors. It is also suitable for candidates who want to be end-point assessors.

The qualification has replaced the old A1 Assessor Award, A2, D32 and D33 awards as a qualification for vocational assessors. The course has a 84 hours guided learning requirement.

You need to be on a placement or working in a suitable learning and development role which gives you access to at least two learners (trainee's, apprentices, employee's etc). The candidates will need to be participating in a learning program that has clearly defined learning outcomes and assessment criteria. This can be a regulated or in-house course.

You are also expected to also have access to the world wide web, word processor and be willing to work hard to achieve the qualification. You are required to commit some time to participate in course activities and complete tasks.

In order to complete and achieve the Level 3 Award in Assessing Competence in the Work Environment you need to understand and demonstrate the concepts and principles of assessment. You need to understand and demonstrate the roles and responsibilities of all the practitioners involved in assessment. There is a requirement for you to be able to carry out planning, assessments using a range of methods, giving feedback, recording and participating in standardisation. You need to demonstrate reflective practice, CPD and working in line with policies and procedures (equality, safeguarding, welfare provision, data protection, appeals, complaints, conflict of interest, malpractice, maladministration, health and safety).

The Level 3 Award in Assessing Competence in the Work Environment is delivered mainly by distance learning (Online). You can choose to complete unit 1 classroom-based over three days. You can then have up to 12 weeks to complete unit 2. The normal course duration is 15 weeks.

All candidates will be allocated an assessor who will also be their primary contact. You will be expected to actively participate in tutorials.

Assessment for unit 1 normally requires completing three questions. In order to achieve the remainder of the course, you will require evidence of supporting two practitioners, carry out planning, assess using a range of methods, and provide feedback. You will need to participate in quality assurance activities, demonstrate your CPD, demonstrate how you work in line within policies and procedures (recording, confidentiality, equality, health and safety).

This course requires you to demonstrate occupational competency. Observations, expert witness reports or work products will be required to prove some of your activities or actions. Observations can be in person, video or remotely. Where observations are not possible it is possible to relay on expert witnesses who are occupationally competent (managers, supervisors, mentors etc).

Upon successful completion of the course, your work will undergo both internal and external quality assurance. We will claim your certificate from the awarding body. Certificates are normally issued within 14 days after successful external quality assurance.