Alternative Assessor Qualifications

Why do Companies and Organisations require 'A' Units?
Companies and organisations, with an assessment requirement, have often required existing staff trainers or new training recruits either to hold or be working towards the 'A' Units, usually A1 and/or A2. It is likely that many will continue this trend for the old 'D' Units too. However, an 'assessor' only requires to hold the 'A' Units if the award/qualification being assessed for is one of the various National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) authorised by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA). In other words the award being assessed is an NVQ award.

Assessment of Non-NVQs
Where a company or organisation is needing 'qualified' staff to assess workers/office holders for the award of a non-NVQ qualification, such as an industry specific certificate, First Aid Certificate or other bespoke award, the 'assessor' is not required to be an NVQ Assessor, old 'D' or new 'A' Units. In such cases the holding of the 'A' or 'D' Units does not preclude the holder from functioning as an 'assessor' and is to be preferred to the absence of any assessment type qualification.

Assessor Status for Non-NVQ Qualifications
Those wishing to function as an assessor for non-NVQs have two options to gain 'assessor' status:

Get New 'A' Unit Assessor Award or hold 'D' Units
Possession of these awards allows the holder to assess not only for NVQs but also infers the ability to 'assess' for non-NVQ type qualifications. Many will join a company /organisation already holding these awards and will assess for non-NVQs. However, the gaining of these Units is difficult and time consuming particularly where the target award is not an NVQ. In this case the prospective 'assessor' is not allowed to use evidence from practice assessments of non-NVQs towards the gaining of their own Assessor award. Only evidence from practice assessments of NVQs can be used towards getting the 'A1' Assessor Unit.

Company/Organisation Assessor Qualification (Bespoke)
Companies and organisations wanting to formalise the status of their 'assessors' and harmonise their performance standards can have their own 'bespoke assessor qualification designed for their particular requirements. These designer assessor awards can be modelled on the national assessor award but modified to meet the particular needs of the client organisation.