NVQ/SVQ assessors support and assess people working towards National/Scottish Vocational Qualifications. NVQ/SVQ assessors ensure that candidates meet the occupational standards required to achieve the NVQ/SVQ.

Their work includes:

• planning and delivering NVQ/SVQ training programmes and workshops
• observing candidates in the workplace
• examining candidates' portfolios of evidence
• questioning candidates to assess how they would deal with non-standard situations
• providing feedback to candidates, and offering advice if the standards are not met
• signing off the NVQ/SVQ when the candidate has met all the requirements 
• keeping records of candidates' progress, according to the requirements of the NVQ/SVQ awarding bodies
• attending meetings with other assessors
• working closely with training staff and candidates' line managers.

Some NVQ/SVQ assessors carry out assessing as part of a wider role within an organisation's training department. Others assess NVQs/SVQs as part of their main job, for example in retail or care work.

Internal and external verifiers carry out quality checks on the work of NVQ/SVQ assessors and training centres, to make sure the assessment process is carried out properly.

Hours and Environment

As an NVQ/SVQ assessor you will usually work between 37 and 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday. You may need to work evenings and weekends to fit in with your candidates' shift patterns. 

You will usually be based in an office or training centre, but will need to travel to assess candidates in their workplace, and may need to carry around heavy portfolios, so you will usually need a driving licence. 

Skills and Interests

To be an NVQ/SVQ assessor/verifier, you should:

• be competent and experienced in the occupational area you want to assess
• have excellent communication skills, to explain the occupational standards and give feedback
• be good at motivating and encouraging people
• be interested in helping people develop
• be patient and tactful
• be able to relate to staff at all levels
• be skilled at writing reports and keeping accurate written records.

Entry

Although you do not need any set academic qualifications to become a NVQ/SVQ assessor, you should have experience, knowledge and skill in the occupational sector you will be assessing. It will be useful if you have work or professional qualifications in your chosen field, especially NVQs/SVQs at level 3 or above.

You will need the following assessment qualifications:

• Level 3 Award in Assessing Candidates Using a Range of Methods - A1  
• Level 3 Award in Assessing Candidates' Performance through Observation - A2.

To be an internal verifier you need:

• an assessment qualification
• experience of assessing in the same, or similar occupational area to the one you will be verifying 
• Level 4 Award in Conducting Internal Quality Assurance of the Assessment Process - V1.

To be an external assessor you will need:

• an assessor qualification
• V1 internal assessor qualification
• Level 4 Award in Conducting External Quality Assurance of the Assessment Process - V2.

These qualifications have replaced the Training and Development Lead Body (TDLB) assessment qualifications D32 and D33, the internal verification qualification D34 and the external verification qualification D35

Assessor and verifier qualifications are widely available at colleges and training centres throughout the UK. You must have access to at least two NVQ/SVQ candidates to assess.

Training

As a new assessor, you can apply for associate membership of the Institute of Assessors and Internal Verifiers (IAV). With 12 months experience, you can apply for full membership and be listed on the IAV's National Register. Depending on the industry, you may be required to undertake periods of continuing professional development in order to keep your own skills up-to-date. The IAV is able to offer training and seminars for this purpose. 

You may find it useful to obtain training qualifications, such as:

• Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Certificate in Training Practice (CTP)
• NVQs/SVQs levels 3, 4 and 5 in Learning and Development.

You could also consider further education teaching qualifications. See the Lifelong Learning UK (LLUK) website for details  - there is a link in Further Information below.

Opportunities

Assessor/verifiers can be employed in almost every occupational area, wherever NVQ/SVQ qualifications exist, for example:

• administration
• care
• catering
• construction
• customer service
• hairdressing
• engineering
• retail.

NVQ/SVQ assessors are often employed by training providers or colleges. Larger companies may employ their own in-house assessors.

Once you have experience you might have the opportunity to progress to NVQ/SVQ centre manager. With relevant qualifications you could move into further education teaching or training management. See the Lecturer: Further Education and Training Manager profiles for further details of these careers.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

NVQ/SVQ assessors/verifiers are likely to earn from around £17,000 to around £25,000 a year.

Salary is dependent on duties, qualifications and experience. Some assessors are employed on a sessional basis, and are paid an hourly rate.

Further information

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Information and Advice Service: 020 7936 5798
Email: advice@lluk.org PO Box 148
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Tel: 0116 251 7979