Menu

About Our Assessor Training

assessors, assessor training and qualifications

Assessors, Assessor Training & Qualifications

, , 0

If you are looking to add Assessors to your organisation, there are lots of different things to consider. First, you need to look at the range of Assessor qualifications and decide which is best suited to your organisation’s assessment strategy. Then you need to identify who would be best to take on the role of an Assessor. Your Assessors must be occupationally competent within the area they are assessing, so that is the best place to start. Who within your organisation already has the experience and knowledge to become an Assessor, and just lacks the qualifications?

Key Roles Of An Assessor

When choosing who you are going to put forward to become an Assessor, it is important that you understand the roles they will be managing, so that you can choose the right candidate. The main things they will be responsible for are:

As you can see from these main roles, Assessors need to have great communication and organisational skills in order to work with others. Feedback is a really important part of the role, and it is important this is delivered in the correct manner.

Assessor Training

When you think about Assessor training and qualifications, these actually need to be split into two different areas. The qualifications will give an Assessor all the knowledge they need to carry out their role, but training will give them the experience and additional skills. Assessor training should be encouraged, in order to allow them to apply what they have learnt back in the workplace environment.

Think about what you need your Assessors to be able to do once they have completed their training, as this will help you guide them through the process. You need competent Assessors who:

  • Understand their roles and responsibilities in the assessment process
  • Know how to adhere to the assessment processes of your organisation
  • Are confident in having conversations with other Assessors and providing feedback

Assessor Qualifications

If you are wanting your Assessor to be able to carry out assessments both within the workplace and in learning environments too, the best qualification is the Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (CAVA). Your Assessor will complete the following 3 units:

  1. Understanding Principles & Practices of Assessment
  2. Assess Occupational Competence in the Work Environment
  3. Assess Vocational Skills, Knowledge & Understanding

No matter what industry your Assessor will be working in, the qualification needed is the same – the CAVA. It is the only course which will allow your member of staff to become a fully qualified Assessor, and if you choose Brooks and Kirk as your training provider we can guarantee access to learners to assess as part of the course. No other Assessor Training Provider can guarantee this, so that is even more of a reason to choose our course!

Training Combined With A Practical Assignment

Once your Assessor has completed their qualification, it is always a good idea to get them to complete a practical assessment too. This gives you the chance to see first-hand the skills and knowledge they have learnt, and how they apply this to their assessments. It is all very well completing a qualification but you need to make sure the learning has been absorbed! They need to be able to show evidence that they can apply their new skills to the job.

The sooner you can get the newly qualified Assessor to apply their skills after the training, the better. This will set them up for success when it comes to assessing learners.

If you would like any more information about the other Assessor qualifications that we provide here at Brooks and Kirk, including the Level 3 Award in Assessing Competence in the Work Environment (ACWE) and the Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement (AVRA), please contact us on 01205 805 155.

difference between teaching and assessing

What’s the Difference between Teaching & Assessing?

, , , 0

If you have had a good browse through our website you will probably already be aware that we offer Assessor qualifications as well as tutor training courses. There is often some confusion between how teaching and assessing differs; so we want to bring you this blog to explain the two in further detail.

Teaching

Let’s start with teaching. This is where you pass on the knowledge and skills you have learned over the years to your pupils. It is usually carried out within a classroom or college environment. Teaching can also be given as part of ‘on-the-job’ training to learners as well. In essence, if you are teaching you are responsible for ensuring that learning is taking place. Planning is a really important part of teaching; you need to take the time to make sure your teaching is in a format that is easy to understand. Let’s not forget it’s important that it motivates your learners as well.

There are lots of different types of learners, so as a teacher you may find yourself adapting your programme to suit the needs of your pupils. You may also be required to work and help advise learners, usually in a less formal setting. In general, teachers need to have a thorough understanding of the topic they are delivering. Obviously it is vital that they can pass this knowledge onto the learners.

Communication skills are important, but not just in the form of verbal communication. Sometimes you may need to show learners something or give an example of how a problem should be solved. Always be prepared to explain topics in more than one way. This is where lesson planning really helps!

Assessing

The main difference between assessing and teaching is that Assessors don’t pass knowledge and skills onto their learners. Assessments are more of a ‘seal of approval’. This confirms that the candidate has met the required standards in order to pass their qualification. Previously, assessments were solely carried out in the form of exams. However, this is not the case nowadays, particularly for apprentices who are learning on the job. There are lots of different methods of assessment which can be used to determine how a learner is progressing through their course.

Another difference is that if you become an Assessor you will not only be required to have a thorough understanding of the subject you are teaching, but also the formal standards. These have to be met by the candidate before you can sign off their qualification. The standards are often set out by the awarding body so it is important that you take the time to create a suitable assessment plan which covers everything they outline.

Just like with teaching, you will still be communicating with candidates. However, rather than passing on your knowledge, you will spend time gathering evidence to support that the candidate has met the required standards.

Similarities Between The Two

There is some overlap between teaching and assessing, which is why the two can sometimes be confused. When teaching students, you will also need to check that this is being understood and absorbed. Therefore as part of your teaching plan, assessments will need to be carried out periodically in order to check their learning is on track.

Both teaching and assessing also require a certain degree of planning and preparation. This ensures standards of an awarding body or organisation are adhered to.

The two main qualifications that we offer for teaching and assessing are: the Level 4 Certificate in Education & Training, and the Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement. If you would like any further information on either of these courses, please feel free to contact the team at Brooks and Kirk on 01205 805 155.

why you should do a course with brooks and kirk

Why Should You Do a Course with Brooks and Kirk?

, , 0

There has never been a better time to enrol on a distance learning course and improve your career prospects. Even if you are fortunate enough to still have a full-time job, there isn’t much to do at weekends other than sit around in our COVID ‘bubbles’. Why not put this extra time to good use with an Assessor qualification?

We recently touched on how becoming an Assessor is one of the best routes to go down as it is a career that won’t stop in a pandemic. No matter how bad things get, there are always going to be learners undertaking qualifications, so there is always a need for people to assess these learners. The best course to take if you are looking to become a fully qualified Assessor is the Level 3 Certificate In Assessing Vocational Achievement (CAVA) as this will allow you to assess learners both in the workplace, and in their learning environment (when COVID permits).

Why Choose Us?

Once you have chosen the Assessor qualification that you are looking to study, it is time to look at training providers. There are lots of different types, and it is important that you differentiate between person-centred training over money-motivated training. Person-centred training providers like Brooks and Kirk provide completely flexible learning, and you will notice that our courses have no start or end dates. Different people require varying lengths of time to complete a course, so rather than setting a strict deadline, you can complete our courses at a pace that suits you.

Money-motivated training providers tend to set strict deadlines for course completion, and then require learners to pay expensive extension fees on top. This extra pressure is not beneficial for learners, and could end up costing you a fortune too! Of course some people prefer working towards deadlines, but just make sure that you take the time to research the Terms and Conditions of the course you are thinking of enrolling on.

Variety of Courses

Whilst we are widely recognised for being one of the best Assessor Training course providers nationally, our experience also speaks for itself. We have been running since 1997, so we know the industry inside-out. As well as Assessor training courses, we also offer the following: IQA training, End Point Assessor Training, Education & Training, and even some apprentices in marketing and development.

With over 20 years of experience, we are also on hand to help if you are thinking of setting up your own training company too. We can run through the staffing and skills that you will require; the fees that you should charge; and even ways in which you can market your business.

Reviews

Not only do we provide a wide range of courses, but we have also helped thousands of learners complete their qualifications. Our Trustpilot reviews speak for themselves – with a 4.6 out of 5 star rating which we are extremely proud of. We like to give back to our learners so we also run an affiliate scheme where you can start earning commission for enrolling other people onto our courses.

Payment Plans

One thing that sets us apart from the competition is our payment plans. We know that taking up a new qualification can be expensive, and you may not have the funds to pay for the entire course upfront. You can either pay for our courses in full, which entitles you to a percentage discount of the total fee. Or alternatively, you can pay via instalments and help to spread the cost over a longer period. With either of these methods you will be able to start your course within 1 working day. After enrolment one of the team at Brooks and Kirk will give you a welcome call to run through the course and answer any questions you may have.

Get Started Today

So there you have it, the reasons why you should consider a course with Brooks and Kirk. Many learners worry about starting an online course because they feel they won’t have the support that a face-to-face course would give them. All of the tutors at Brooks and Kirk are on hand 24/7 to support our learners, and you will receive regular check-ins to help keep you on track too.

If you would like any further information about the courses that we offer, please contact us at 01205 805 155 or email training@brooksandkirk.co.uk.

career that doesn't stop in a pandemic

A Career That Won’t Stop in a Pandemic

, , 0

The pandemic has certainly brought with it a lot of unease and worry for employees. The initial furlough scheme meant that many people were being paid for not working, which seemed like a great thing to begin with. However, with the scheme ending many businesses had to make staff redundant. Employees who have been negatively affected by the pandemic are looking to future-proof their careers, and what better way to do that by becoming a qualified Assessor?

Rise in Technology

With businesses having to adapt to new digital technologies, this also means that some job roles will have changed. Evolving skill requirements only makes it harder for many people to rejoin companies, even if the economy does recover. There is also the looming fear of future job cuts that are a constant worry for those who are lucky enough to still be employed. In the 2008 recession, long-term employment remained high for years and this is something that is in the back of many people’s minds.

Become an Assessor

We have already looked into why a new career in lockdown is the best way to expand your horizons. There has never been a better time to try something new and work in an industry that is rewarding and challenging at the same time. The one real advantage of becoming an Assessor is that as qualifications will always exist, there will always be a need for people to assess them.

Once you have gained the Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (CAVA), you will be a fully qualified Assessor. This means that you will be able to assess learners both within their workplace (COVID-dependant!) and in their learning environments (virtually for now).

Career Options

There are lots of different career paths you can go down once you become a newly qualified Assessor. You could begin by shadowing an experienced Assessor before you go solo in order to get some experience under your belt. Alternatively, you could look into making yourself an even better prospect to potential employers by becoming an End-Point Assessor. Better still, you could take your next step in professional development with the Level 3 Award in Education and Training. This is the first step towards becoming a teacher in adult education, which again is a pandemic-proof career.

Going Freelance

If you are happy with just becoming an Assessor, and don’t fancy any extra studying there is also the option to become a freelance Assessor. This means that you will have ultimate control of your career, and the freedom to do exactly what you want. Some freelance positions are short-term, and are designed to cover holidays or maternity leave, but others can be longer-term. Even just getting a foot in the door to begin with is a good start, particularly given the current situation.

If you would like any more information on how to become an Assessor and pandemic-proof your career, please contact the team at Brooks and Kirk and we will be more than happy to help. Call us on 01205 805 155 or email training@brooksandkirk.co.uk.

your journey to becoming a qualified assessor

Your Journey to Becoming a Qualified Assessor

, , , , 0

In the UK there is a high demand for qualified Assessors, so there has never been a better time to start working on achieving that Assessor qualification. There is always a demand within the health and social care industry for Assessors, and this is only going to increase in the current climate. In order to become a qualified Assessor, the first thing you need to do is gain the Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (CAVA for short).

Let’s have a quick look at the CAVA qualification in more detail, and some of the other distance learning courses that you might want to consider taking too in order to enhance your skills further.

The benefits of the CAVA qualification

Becoming an Assessor is a great opportunity to work with learners on a regular basis, and develop a working relationship as you help them progress through their course. As well as job satisfaction, the salary prospects for becoming a qualified Assessor are not to be dismissed. Salaries can reach as much as £35K!

The main aim of the Level 3 CAVA is to help you understand the underlying principles of assessment. With this knowledge and skills, you will be able to assess vocational skills and occupational competence of your learners. Throughout the course, you will learn and be assessed on a wide range of activities including observations of assessments, discussions and practical tasks. As well as the academic learning side of things, being involved in on-the-job practical experience means that you will be well on your way to setting yourself up for employment.

Other beneficial courses

After you have completed the Level 3 CAVA, Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) courses are the next natural progression. They are a step-up from Assessor courses, so if you are looking to take your career further they are a good choice. Here are some of the main IQA courses which we recommend:

Level 4 Certificate in Leading the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Practices and Processes

The course title is definitely a lengthy one, but this is essentially the lead IQA qualification. It is the most highly regarded of the IQA qualifications, and will give you the skills required to quality assure qualifications. Upon completion, you will be able to manage the entire quality assurance process.

Level 4 Award in the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practices

This qualification consists of two units: Understanding the Principles & Practices of Internally Assuring the Quality of Assessment, and Internally Assure the Quality of Assessment. Both of these units will give you the skills and knowledge required to provide quality assurance of assessments, as well as assessment decisions. The main difference between this qualification and the Level 4 Certificate is that it does not qualify you to be the centre lead or quality nominee.

Level 4 Award in Understanding the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes & Practices

This is the most basic IQA course, and will not qualify you to internally quality assure assessment. It is a theory course that is delivered entirely online, and is great if you are wanting to add to your CPD record.

The benefits of becoming a qualified Assessor

After completing either the CAVA qualification or an IQA course, you will be able to gain employment within an assessment role. As well as progressing your career, there will also be more opportunities for you to take a sideways career move into a different industry. The guiding principles of assessment often remain the same, no matter what the industry.

We touched on career progression too – people often enrolled on the CAVA course are wanting to make their assessment position within a company official. By gaining an Assessor qualification, it can help you climb the career ladder and work towards that next promotion.

We can help you

Here at Brooks and Kirk we provide all of the qualifications that we have discussed within this blog post. We provide high levels of support to all of our learners, and are always on hand to help. If you would like any further information on any of the courses that we provide, feel free to call us on 01205 805 155, or drop us an email – training@brooksandkirk.co.uk.

5 reasons to become assessor

5 Reasons You Should Take an Assessor Qualification

, , , , 0

With everything going on at the moment, a change in career may be exactly what you are looking for. If you are passionate about learning, an Assessor qualification could be the next step for you to take. The main role of an Assessor is to observer learners in their workplace, providing support and guidance throughout their apprenticeship. You will be responsible for collecting evidence and assessing their abilities before signing off their qualification.

Many people choose to become an Assessor as they want to help others achieve their full potential. Here are some other reasons to take an Assessor qualification:

1. Professional development

Continued professional development is important in order to improve the skills and knowledge that you have. The varied role of an Assessor will mean that no two days will be the same. Whether you are recording achievements, running through evidence or marking work, you will soon develop a wide range of skills. You will be regularly communicating with your learners, and time management is also important when running your own diary.

That isn’t to say once you become an Assessor you are stuck with that career choice. Many of the skills that you will acquire are transferable to other roles, either within the education sector, or even management roles.

2. Flexible working hours

One of the main attractions of becoming an Assessor is the flexibility that the role provides, and how it can make more time for you. Whether you are returning to employment after having a child, or you simply desire that work-life balance that a full-time role can’t provide, becoming an Assessor may be the best choice for you.

If you have a read through our day in the life of a childcare Assessor blog, you will soon see that becoming a freelance Assessor can give you so much more freedom. You can visit learners anywhere, at any time, fitting them in around your schedule. The role is very varied. You may find yourself on the road visiting learners a couple of days a week, and then spending the rest of the week writing up the assessments.

3. A new role with new challenges

Sometimes a change is as good as a break. If you have got to the stage where your full-time office job is no longer satisfying then maybe becoming an Assessor is something you should consider. One of the great things about being an Assessor is that you can still stay in the sector that you know, understand and have experience in. However, you will probably find it is a much less stressful job.

4. Progression at work

If you are wanting to stay within the organisation you currently work for, but are working towards a promotion, an Assessor qualification can help. These days, employers are focused on developing the skill set of their staff so that they can bring more of their services in-house. By adding an Assessor qualification to your CV, this will definitely help to impress your boss!

5. Meeting new people

As well as flexibility being one of the main reasons people choose to become Assessors, you will also meet people from all walks of life. You will build strong relationships with your learners, and watching them as they progress through their course is a very rewarding process.

It isn’t just learners who you will be interacting with on a regular basis though, you will find your path will also cross with other Assessors. This is a fantastic way to network and build up your reputation within the industry.

How to become a qualified Assessor

After reading through this blog, if you are swayed towards becoming an Assessor you may be wondering what the next steps are. In order to become an Assessor, you need both an Assessor qualification and occupational competence. The best qualification you can take is the Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (CAVA) as this will allow you to assess learners both within their workplace and in learning environments.

If you would like any further help with starting your journey as an Assessor, the team at Brooks and Kirk are always on hand to help answer any questions you may have. Give us a call on 01205 805 155 or email us – training@brooksandkirk.co.uk

bridging the gap in assessment

Bridging the Gap in Assessment – Lack of Assessors

, , , 0

It has been known for some time now that there is a vocational skills shortage in the UK, and the problem only seems to be getting worse. In order for people to become skilled, they need training – which is where an NVQ Assessor comes in. What if there is a shortage of Assessors too though?

Many organisations have been faced with the problem of fewer Assessors available to keep things going. Whether this is due to people being furloughed, or redundancies being made, there is a gap that needs bridging. Here are our tips on how you can manage your Assessor workload.

Understand the Size of the Problem

First of all, you need to take a step back and look at the problem from an outsider’s perspective. Take stock of how many Assessors you currently have, what they assess, and their current workload. Once you have looked into this, you will be able to identify any gaps and whether your current team have any added capacity to assess more learners.

Look at the Risks

The next stage is to identify high-risk areas, for example particular areas where you have a substantial lack of Assessors. Prioritise these areas, and if resources are tight then focus on where you have the greatest risk. Another place to look at is areas where you can have the greatest impact with fewer people. Are there certain areas where you would only need a couple of Assessors to take on more work? But this could impact a large number of learners? Try to think strategically.

Go Back to Basics

Of course this isn’t a long-term strategy; but now is a good time to review both your competency management system and your assessment processes. Here are some questions to consider:

  1. Are you focusing on the essentials in order to achieve safety-critical tasks?
  2. Is there anything that can be de-prioritised in the short term?
  3. Is there a way to rely on the Assessor less during the gathering evidence part? Can witness testimonials be used instead?
  4. Could the employer be involved more in the assessment so there is less work for the Assessor?

Review the Competency of your Team

What we mean here is look at your team of Assessors and identify whether they need more training in order to fill the gaps. Would online learning such as our Assessor qualifications help to give them the knowledge they need to assess in other areas?

Do your Assessors Have the Right Training?

It is important that your Assessors know what is expected of them, and the procedures that they need to follow when it comes to assessing learners. If you are adding more workload to their pile, they need to be able to crack on without second-guessing what they are doing.

When time is of the essence, you may not be able to release your Assessors for face-to-face training. That is why distance learning is the perfect solution – they can improve upon their knowledge and skills within their own time, without impacting the business.

If you would like any more information on the Assessor courses that we offer, please call us on 01205 805 155 and our team will be more than happy to help.

Tips for Purchasing Online Learning

, 0

With the recent rise of online learning, more and more people are realising the benefits of studying online. The main advantage is the flexibility these types of courses provide over regular learning. Online courses not only offer learning at any time and any place; they often provide better end results than face-to-face training. This is due to the learner being able to study at their own pace and revisit any aspect of the course they want in their own time.

If you are looking for online training for either yourself or your staff, there are a few things that you need to consider. Here are some tips to get you started.

Learning Objectives

Be clear on what you are trying to achieve, and ensure that the course you choose aligns with these goals. Are you looking to become a fully qualified assessor, for example? Then the Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (CAVA) will allow you to assess learners both in the workplace and in learning environments.

Support Provided

The one thing people often worry about when undertaking distance learning is that they won’t have the support they need to complete the course. Be sure to take the time to see what level of support the learning provider offers, and whether this help will be available out of hours too. You don’t want to be stuck on part of your course at 9pm with no support on hand until 9am the next day when you have to be back at work.

Check the Suitability of Your Devices

Before you start on the course, it is important you check whether you are going to need to purchase any additional equipment or software. Do you need Adobe Flash in order to complete the course? If you have a Macbook you may struggle with this as Apple doesn’t support Flash. Also, if you are thinking about using a tablet or smartphone to access the courses, are the courses you are looking at going to be mobile responsive? You don’t want to get halfway through a module and realise that you have missed out on half of the content due to it being cut off your screen!

Do Your Research

As you are probably aware, there are lots of different acronyms when it comes to Assessor courses. With qualifications such as QCF, RQF, GLH, TQT, understanding what they all mean is important to help you choose the right course. If you are unsure as to which qualification you need, you are always best ringing up the training provider as they will be able to understand your individual circumstances.

Additional Charges

Many money-motivated training centres will leave you with extortionate extension fees if you miss a deadline for whatever reason. We would always recommend that you read the small print before you start an online course. You may be someone that would never dream of missing a deadline, but life happens and you need to be aware of any additional expenses you may incur if you did require an extension.

If you would like any more advice or help with choosing the right training provider, please feel free to have a chat with our team on 01205 805 155. We are more than happy to run through the options with you and point you in the right direction

man and apprentice

What Assessing Competency in the Work Environment Entails (ACWE)

, 0

If you have already either achieved the Level 3 Award in Assessing Competence In A Work Environment (ACWE) or the Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (CAVA) you will be very familiar with exactly what assessing an individual’s competency in a workplace entails. However, for those looking to assess others in their place of work but aren’t yet qualified to do so, the ACWE may just be the best course you have never heard of (providing you haven’t heard of it, of course). Let’s have a deeper look into what the course involves and whether it would be suitable for you.

Where will you be assessing learners?

Just by taking a quick look through our website, you will see that we offer a whole range of different Assessor qualifications. Choosing the right one for your needs may seem daunting, which is why we are always on hand to help. Let’s focus on the ACWE for now, just to keep things less confusing!

Basically, if you plan on only assessing people ‘on-the-job’, then the Level 3 Award in Assessing Competence in the Workplace is the qualification that you need. The course consists of two main units:

  1. Understanding Principles and Practices of Assessment
  2. Assess Occupational Competence in the Work Environment

Unit 1

The first unit is entirely knowledge-based and will give you all the theory that you need in order to understand the responsibilities of an Assessor. This is completed entirely online within our virtual learning environment. Don’t worry though, our tutors will be on hand to guide you through the tasks.

Here’s a taste of a few of the topics you will cover as part of your first unit:

  • Understanding and Adapting Assessment Methods
  • The Assessor’s Responsibilities when Planning an Assessment
  • Risks Associated with Assessment
  • Use of Technology in Assessment
  • Making Assessment Decisions and Providing Constructive Feedback

Unit 2

The second unit requires you to carry out 2 assessments, on 2 separate learners. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have access to learners though. Here at Brooks and Kirk, we are the only Assessor training provider who can guarantee access to learners for your ACWE course, no matter what sector you are in.

Within this unit, you actually get to start planning and carrying out real-life assessments. You will be guided through different techniques you can use to assess your learners, including:

  • Observation of performance in the workplace
  • Examining products of work
  • Learner discussions
  • Witness testimony
  • Reviewing learner statements

Once you have completed the Level 3 Award in Assessing Competence In A Work Environment, you will be able to carry out assessments of candidates in their own workplace. However, if you are wanting to assess learners in both their workplace and their learning environments, we would advise that you have a look at the Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (CAVA). The CAVA is the only qualification that would ‘fully-qualify’ you as an assessor.

Good luck with whatever your next step may be. Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions about the job of an assessor, any one of the courses we offer or anything assessing related for that matter!

career that doesn't stop in a pandemic

Full-Time VS Freelance Assessor

, 0

If you are looking to become an Assessor you may be undecided as to whether to go down the full-time employment route, or to try freelancing. There has been a huge increase in the number of people turning to freelancing. This is mainly due to the flexibility that it provides. Being your own boss certainly does have its advantages; but before you take the plunge it is really important to weigh everything up. Let’s explore both the pros and cons of becoming a full-time and freelance Assessor.

Full-Time Assessor

Advantages

The main advantage here is that you will have financial security. Being hired by someone like an End-Point Assessment Organisation means you will receive a regular income. You won’t have to worry about all the extra things that come with running your own business like taxes and administration.

You will also receive the usual perks of employment such as paid annual leave, sick pay, maternity and paternity leave. There is no worrying about whether you have enough work to pay the bills, as it is just handed to you.

Disadvantages

So full-time employment sounds like the perfect solution, right? Well, there are some drawbacks that you should be aware of. You will probably have very structured 9am-5pm working hours with very little in the way of flexibility. At the end of the day, you will be answering to your boss and will have no choice in the type of work you have to complete. The Assessor industry is also very competitive, so you will need a killer CV in order to give you the best chance of gaining employment.

Freelance Assessor

Advantages

Now let’s take a look into life as a freelance Assessor. You can either choose to be completely self-employed or employed via an agency where you dictate your own hours. When periods are very busy, you will be in high demand and the work should flood in. That is one of the main things to be aware of as a freelancer – the rollercoaster of highs and lows. One minute you may be up to your eyes in work and struggling to fit it all in; the next you may go through a quiet period. It does all tend to balance out in the end though.

Another advantage of becoming a freelance Assessor is that you can earn a much higher wage than permanent employees (up to three times as much!). Since you will be responsible for calculating your own taxes there are some added benefits there too. Finally, another benefit is that you can pick and choose which people you assess. If you have more experience in the health & social care sector, for example, you can assess learners solely in this field.

Disadvantages

Now for the disadvantages. The bottom line is that you are not an employee. Which means, you miss out on receiving the standard benefits such as; paid holiday, sick pay, and all of those other things we take for granted. The harsh reality is that if you are not working, the money is not coming in. That being said, you do need to make sure you take time off as a freelance Assessor in order to achieve that work-life balance. Otherwise, you are likely to find yourself burning out, and probably returning to full-time employment.

We hope this has been a useful guide about both the advantages and disadvantages of being a full-time or freelance Assessor. Whichever route you decide to go down, make sure you have the correct Assessor qualification – we would recommend the Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement. If you would like any more help on deciding whether to go solo or become employed, our team are more than happy to answer your questions on 01205 805 155.

Load More