What Is a TAQA Assessor?

If you’re new to the assessing industry, you may have seen the term TAQA Assessor come up quite often. This could come up in job descriptions mainly. All these new terms can be quite confusing, so don’t worry; we’re here to help teach you the terms and explain exactly what they mean so you can make more informed decisions. So, what is a TAQA Assessor?

What is a TAQA Assessor?

Let’s break this up into two parts. What is TAQA, and what is an Assessor? TAQA is an acronym for a suite of qualifications; it stands for Training, Assessment, and Quality Assurance. When you see TAQA mentioned, it means this suite of qualifications, as TAQA itself isn’t one.

So what’s an assessor? An assessor comes into the assessment part of TAQA. This is where you would take learners through their NVQ qualifications or apprenticeships, assessing their level of competence and knowledge.

How to Become an Assessor

To become an assessor, you need a few things. An assessor qualification and occupational competence. The A in TAQA refers to assessment; under this, you have a few qualifications. Only one is relevant to becoming a fully qualified assessor, this is the Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement, also known as CAVA.

The CAVA course is made up of three units. Unit 1 is all about the knowledge and theory of being an assessor, taking you through things like equality and diversity, alternative assessments, and assessment methods. Within the second unit, you have to complete an observation of learners within their work environment. This allows you to put everything you’ve learnt so far into practice. The final unit focuses on assessing learners in their vocational skills and knowledge.

Occupational competence refers to the experience or qualifications you have in your sector. For example, you may have a Level 3 qualification in Business Administration and 10 years of experience. As long as you have this, you can undertake the assessor course. So when you see a job description that wants you to have a TAQA Assessor qualification, they mean the CAVA course.

Benefits of Completing the Assessor Course

There are many benefits to completing an assessor qualification. The main benefit of completing the course is that it provides you with career progression. This means you can move into a different career path while still being in the sector you work in. Doing so could give you a higher earning potential, as assessors are in high demand across a variety of sectors. This then sets you up for further career progression, such as becoming an Internal Quality Assurer or Quality Manager.

What Does the Assessor Course Involve?

One of the best things about the assessor course is its flexibility. You can study around your lifestyle. This makes it super accessible for learners with busy schedules or other commitments. To achieve the qualification, you’ll complete a mix of practical assessments and written tasks. These include real-life assessments and producing written evidence. Having this hands-on approach ensures you gain the skills and knowledge you need to assess learners sufficiently.

The time it takes to complete the assessor course can vary depending on how many hours you can dedicate. However, you’ll have support throughout your course from our dedicated team. With the right guidance, you can complete the qualification at your own pace.

How Brooks and Kirk Can Help

At Brooks and Kirk, we offer everything you need to complete the course effectively. From start to finish you’ll receive guidance and support from our team of experienced assessors. They’ll be able to answer any questions, provide feedback, and make sure you’re confident in every step.

With years of experience in vocational education and training Brooks and Kirk are a trusted name in the industry. When you choose us, you choose quality and expertise. If you have any questions about becoming a TAQA Assessor, call us on 01205 805 155, or email us to training@brooksandkirk.ac.uk and we’d be happy to help.