How To Become A Freelance Assessor

Becoming A Freelance Assessor A freelance assessor is a professional trainer who uses their expertise to provide support and training to students who want to gain vocational qualifications, such as apprenticeships and national vocational qualifications. It is a profession in which you can work in all areas of occupation where vocational qualifications exist, either as a verifier or as an assessor. You can become a freelance assessor in two steps by getting a qualification in competence and a qualification in assessment. Step 1: Qualification In Competence You need to demonstrate competence in the area that you wish to be an assessor in. You can achieve this competence by getting a qualification in your field of experience. Consider this instance: if you do wish to be an assessor in the area of childcare, then you need to be qualified in the childcare sector. The ideal case is that you are required to be qualified above the level you intend to assess, but this is not usually enforced, as long as you are at least qualified at the level you want to assess. This is the least requirement that most organizations require. Step 2: Qualification In Assessment If you have taken care of the competence qualification, then the next thing you need is the qualification in assessment. These assessing qualifications are diverse, including but not limited to:
  • 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 Award in Education and Training (AET)
  • Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (CAVA)
The Level 3 AET and CAVA, for instance, are offered by The Learning Station, with the option of being taken as a part time course or as a distance learning programme. In addition, it can be completed within three to six months. What's more, the AET can be done remotely via Skype or USB stick/CD, while the CAVA requires a face-to-face observation. Upon completing the programme, you would become a qualified Trainer and National Vocational Qualifications Assessor. The course will make you qualified to assess vocational competencies of candidates in areas of qualifications such as apprenticeships, functional skills, technical certificates, national vocational qualifications, diplomas, awards, and certificates. In addition, you can work in the private and public sector as a qualified trainer and assessor. When you are done with the training and have become qualified in both competence and assessment, working as a freelance assessor becomes easy. It is worthy of note that to work as an assessor, you need to work for a training provider who will arrange learners for you. You will then assess and provide support to them so as to be able to evaluate their qualification within a stipulated period. What does a Freelance Assessor do? As an assessor, you can work with more than one candidate at the same time. It involves one-on-one work, and it's generally more effective. What you would do is to pay your candidate(s) visits in their place of work in order to understand what they are capable of doing. You also get the opportunity to assess whether their work meets the particular skills standards of national occupation. For example, if you have 15 years experience in the educational sector and hold a level 3 qualification in Education and Training Units, then you can be competent and suited to assess candidates up to level 3 standard in education and training. The steps to follow would basically include:
  • identifying what the candidate knows and is capable of doing
  • pinpointing the skills and knowledge the candidate requires
  • coming up with an action plan to impart the skills and knowledge to the candidate
  • monitoring the candidate's progress against the developed training scheme
Activities Of A Freelance Assessor The typical activities that a freelance assessor is involved in are:
  • Planning and delivery of vocational training workshops and programmes
  • Observation and assessment of candidates in their place of work
  • Analyzing the documentation and credentials of the candidate
  • Keeping the record of the progress of the candidate
  • Providing feedback to the candidate and offering advice to her in a situation where the required standards are not met
  • Recommending the candidate for the vocational qualification award when all the required standards have been met
Written as a guest post by 16best.net.
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