AET vs CAVA: What’s the Difference and Which Do I Need?
AET vs CAVA is one of the most common questions people ask when starting out in education and training. You’ve probably come across both qualifications and wondered whether you need one, the other, or both. So this guide explains exactly what each one covers, who they’re for, and how to decide which is right for you.
What Is the AET?
The AET (Level 3 Award in Education and Training) is a teaching qualification. It’s the standard entry-level qualification for anyone who wants to teach, train, or deliver learning in the further education and training sector.
The AET covers the fundamentals of teaching. You’ll learn how to plan sessions, how to deliver engaging learning, how to assess learner progress, and how to evaluate your own practice as an educator. It suits people who want to stand in front of learners and teach them something — whether that’s in a classroom, a training room, or an online setting.
The AET focuses on teaching practice broadly. So it doesn’t qualify you to assess vocational qualifications. If your goal is specifically to become an assessor, the AET alone isn’t the right qualification.
What Is the CAVA?
The CAVA (Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement) is an assessor qualification. It’s the standard qualification for anyone who wants to assess learners against the criteria of a vocational qualification, such as an NVQ or apprenticeship standard.
The CAVA covers the principles of assessment, how to assess learners in the workplace, and how to assess vocational knowledge and skills in a training environment. It suits people who already have occupational competence in a vocational sector and want to formally judge whether learners meet the required standard.
The CAVA focuses specifically on assessment. So it doesn’t qualify you to deliver teaching or training sessions. If your goal is to design and deliver learning, the CAVA alone isn’t the right starting point.
AET vs CAVA: The Key Differences
| AET | CAVA | |
|---|---|---|
| Full title | Level 3 Award in Education and Training | Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement |
| What it qualifies you to do | Teach and deliver learning | Assess learners against vocational standards |
| Typical setting | Classroom, training room, online delivery | Workplace and training environment assessment |
| Core focus | Lesson planning, delivery, evaluation | Assessment planning, judgement, evidence gathering |
| Who it suits | Aspiring tutors, trainers, teachers | Aspiring assessors with vocational experience |
| Entry requirement | No formal requirement, though subject knowledge helps | Occupational competence in the area you want to assess |
The simplest way to think about AET vs CAVA is this: the AET teaches you how to teach. The CAVA teaches you how to assess.
Can I Do Both AET and CAVA?
Yes — and many people do, because the two qualifications complement each other well.
Plenty of roles in further education and vocational training involve both teaching and assessing. For example, a tutor delivering a vocational course might teach the theory in a classroom setting. They might then assess learners’ practical competence in the workplace. Holding both the AET and the CAVA makes you considerably more employable in roles like this.
No required order exists for completing them, and they don’t depend on each other. So you can study the AET first, the CAVA first, or work towards both at the same time if your schedule allows. At Brooks and Kirk, we deliver both CAVA and AET as a course bundle; saving you both time and money.
AET vs CAVA: Which One Do I Need?
The right starting point depends on what you actually want to do.
Choose the AET if:
- You want to deliver teaching, training, or learning sessions
- You’re interested in classroom-based or online tutoring
- You want a broad introduction to education and training as a career
- You don’t yet have a specific vocational sector you want to assess in
Choose the CAVA if:
- You want to become a qualified assessor
- You already have occupational competence in a vocational sector — for example, construction, healthcare, business, or education
- You’re aiming for roles like NVQ assessor, apprenticeship assessor, or workplace assessor
- You want to judge whether learners meet vocational qualification standards
Choose both if:
- You want maximum flexibility and employability across teaching and assessing roles
- Your ideal role combines delivering training with assessing competence
- You’re building a long-term career in vocational education and want to keep your options open
What Comes After AET or CAVA?
Both qualifications open the door to further progression, depending on the direction you want to take.
After the AET, many people progress to the Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training. Others specialise further depending on their teaching context. Some also go on to take the CAVA if they discover they want to move into assessing alongside teaching.
After the CAVA, the natural next step for many assessors is the Level 4 IQA qualification — Internal Quality Assurance. This moves you from assessing learners directly into overseeing the quality of other assessors’ decisions. It comes with a corresponding increase in salary and responsibility. For more on whether that progression suits you, see our guide on whether becoming an IQA is right for you.
How Long Do AET and CAVA Take to Complete?
Both qualifications fit around working life. So timelines vary depending on how much time you can commit each week.
The AET typically takes between 8 and 12 weeks for learners studying a few hours a week. However, it can be completed faster or slower depending on your pace.
The CAVA follows a similar pattern. With around 150 hours of guided learning, most learners complete it in 12 weeks to several months. For a full breakdown, see our guide on completing the CAVA course whilst working full time.
What Do AET and CAVA Cost?
At Brooks and Kirk, course fees reflect what’s included — full tutor support, all materials, and where relevant, access to learners to assess. For the full CAVA pricing breakdown, including payment plan options, see our CAVA qualification cost guide.
If you’re considering both qualifications, speak to our team directly. We can advise on the most cost-effective way to study them together.
Still Not Sure Whether You Need AET or CAVA?
If you’re still unsure, it usually comes down to one simple question. Do you want to teach people, assess people, or both?
Picture yourself standing in front of a class delivering a session. If that appeals to you, the AET is your starting point. Now picture yourself observing someone in the workplace and judging whether they’ve met a standard. If that appeals more, the CAVA is where to begin. If both sound appealing, nothing stops you from working towards both.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
At Brooks and Kirk, we’ve been delivering both the AET and the CAVA for over 25 years. Our courses are fully online, nationally accredited, and dedicated tutors support you throughout. Because we’re a not-for-profit organisation, every penny of your course fee goes directly into delivering high-quality training and support.
Find out more about the CAVA and AET bundle here.
If you’re still unsure which qualification is right for you, our team is happy to talk it through. Email us at training@brooksandkirk.ac.uk or call 01205 805 155.