If you’re aiming to become a qualified assessor, you may have come across the A1 Assessor Qualification. Once an essential credential, it’s now been replaced by the TAQA (Training, Assessment, and Quality Assurance) awards, which offer a more comprehensive, up-to-date pathway for training and assessing.
In this guide, we’ll take you through what TAQA entails, the different qualifications available, and how they can help you embark on a rewarding career as an assessor.
The A1 Assessor Qualification: A Snapshot of Its Legacy
Originally introduced in 2002, the A1 Assessor Qualification—known formally as the Level 3 Award in Assessing Candidates Using a Range of Methods—combined earlier units D32 and D33 into a single-unit qualification for assessing candidates across various environments. However, with changes in the field, this qualification was phased out in favour of the TAQA awards, a suite designed to provide assessors with a broader skill set suited to modern assessment needs.
What is TAQA?
TAQA stands for Training, Assessment, and Quality Assurance, a family of qualifications that equips you with the skills needed for assessing and quality-assuring in various educational and vocational settings. Rather than a single qualification, TAQA includes a range of certifications based on your specific goals:
Level 3 Award in Understanding the Principles and Practices of Assessment
A theory-only qualification, ideal if you’re just getting started and want to deepen your understanding of assessment without needing to assess in practice.
Level 3 Award in Assessing Competence in the Work Environment
This allows you to assess learners in real workplace environments, perfect for hands-on, vocational assessment.
Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement
Designed for assessors working in training environments, like classrooms or workshops, focusing on skills acquisition outside the workplace.
This is the most comprehensive TAQA qualification, enabling you to assess learners in both work-based and educational environments, making it a popular choice for versatile assessors.
If you’re interested in maintaining the quality of assessment processes, these qualifications prepare you for roles in internal quality assurance within training organisations.
Why Become an Assessor?
Each TAQA qualification is tailored to different professional settings:
For building assessment knowledge: The Level 3 Award in Understanding the Principles and Practices of Assessment gives a strong theoretical base.
For workplace assessment: The Level 3 Award in Assessing Competence in the Work Environment is suitable if you plan to assess learners in real job settings.
For training environments: The Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement is ideal for those assessing in classrooms, workshops, or other training-focused spaces.
For broader assessment capabilities: The Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (CAVA) offers the flexibility to assess in both workplace and training environments.
How to Achieve TAQA Assessor Qualifications
TAQA qualifications are flexible, and many providers offer online courses that can be completed from anywhere, allowing you to study at your own pace. For instance, The Teachers Training provides access to an online student portal, so you can view course content and upload your assessments any time, day or night. The Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (CAVA) generally requires about 90 hours of study, with up to 12 months to complete, giving you full control over your learning schedule.
Entry Requirements
To enrol, you’ll need to:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have at least a Level 2 qualification (or equivalent) in literacy and numeracy
Where Can TAQA Qualifications Take You?
With a TAQA qualification, you’ll be prepared to assist learners on their path to achieving vocational qualifications. As a qualified assessor, you’ll gather evidence, provide guidance, and perform assessments, playing a crucial role in helping others reach their career goals.
Whether you’re entering the world of assessment or expanding your current role, TAQA awards can open doors to a fulfilling career in education, training, and vocational assessment. Ready to start your journey? Look for flexible, UK-based online courses that allow you to study around your lifestyle while benefiting from ongoing support from expert tutors.
Start your journey today and become a qualified assessor with TAQA!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The A1 Assessor Qualification, formally known as the Level 3 Award in Assessing Candidates Using a Range of Methods, was a credential for assessors that has now been replaced by the TAQA (Training, Assessment, and Quality Assurance) awards. It combined earlier units D32 and D33 into a single unit focused on assessing candidates in various environments.
TAQA stands for Training, Assessment, and Quality Assurance. It is a suite of qualifications designed to equip individuals with the necessary skills for assessing and quality-assuring in various educational and vocational settings.
TAQA offers a range of qualifications, including:
- Level 3 Award in Understanding the Principles and Practices of Assessment
- Level 3 Award in Assessing Competence in the Work Environment
- Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement
- Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (CAVA)
- Level 4 Award and Certificate in Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice
Choose based on your career goals:
- For foundational assessment knowledge: Level 3 Award in Understanding the Principles and Practices of Assessment.
- For assessing in real workplace environments: Level 3 Award in Assessing Competence in the Work Environment.
- For training environments: Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement.
- For broader capabilities in assessing: Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (CAVA).
To enrol in a TAQA qualification, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Hold at least a Level 2 qualification (or equivalent) in literacy and numeracy.
The completion time varies by qualification. For example, the Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (CAVA) typically requires about 90 hours of study and can be completed within 12 months.
Yes, many providers, including The Teachers Training, offer flexible online courses that allow you to study at your own pace and convenience, accessing course content and assessments anytime.
With a TAQA qualification, you can work as a qualified assessor in various educational and vocational settings. You will assist learners in achieving vocational qualifications, providing guidance, gathering evidence, and conducting assessments.
To begin, look for flexible, UK-based online courses that fit your lifestyle. Enrol in a TAQA qualification that aligns with your career goals and enjoy ongoing support from expert tutors throughout your studies.
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