Career Opportunities

cv

The Guide to a Killer CV for Further Education Jobs

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The endless cycle of CVs is – without a doubt – the most frustrating part of the employment process. This is especially true in the modern age where many companies have their own computerised forms to fill out. You can get dizzy from copying and pasting the same information over and over!

Getting your CV right can help cut down how long you spend looking for a job. Create a killer CV in the first instance, and maybe you can break out of that cycle just a little sooner.

In this short guide, we’re going to explain exactly how you can make your CV stand out among the dozens of others an employer will undoubtedly receive; how to create a killer CV for further education jobs.

Open with a Personal Statement

Not everything comes down to a box-ticking exercise in the world of employment. A personal statement should be the first thing to appear on your CV and it should give some insight into who you are – beyond the qualifications you’ve received.

This is your chance to show your passion for what you do. Describe the path you’re on and where you want to go next. Create a specific rapport with the company you’re applying to.

You can tailor your personal statement to each company you apply for. The more individualised, the better. It creates the appearance that out of all the places you could have applied, you’ve chosen this company. You want to work for them.

You can create a personal rapport with the company by:

  • Naming the company in the opening statement
  • Using the job title as it appears on the job advert
  • Including a comment about why you want to work for that company
  • Citing what you would bring to the organisation.

This shows you’ve done your research and considered why you’d be a good fit for the company you’ve selected. It shows you’re not an applicant who’s just applying for every vacancy they see (even though that may well be the case!).

Give your qualifications from most recent to oldest

Of course, your employer will need to know you’re qualified to take on the role. Include your qualifications early on in your CV, starting with the most recent qualification you’ve received (likely a CAVA course or IQA Qualification).

You don’t need to go into great detail about your qualifications unless there is something specific or out of the ordinary that you want to highlight. Remember, your CV is a summary of your application. There will be time to give detail if and when you’re called to interview.

Instead, simply list your qualifications and the result achieved in reverse chronological order. Include the dates of study beside each item.

Don’t include any CPD or short courses here – there will be another section for that.

Employment history

List your roles

Once again, you’ll want to list these in reverse chronological order (from most recent to oldest). Include your accurate job title and the time period you worked there. You should also include the name of the company, and their contact details or address. This instantly removes any doubt that any cheeky fictions have been included  – it happens!

Give more detail of your duties for the most relevant roles you’ve held. If you’re an NVQ Assessor or Tutor, for example, your experience in your vocational field will be most applicable to the new job you’re applying for.

Add relevant detail

Explain for each position what your role entailed and some of your key achievements while working in the position. This is also a chance to say how much you enjoyed the position or love the industry. After all, you want to come across as passionate to your future employer.

Focus on the positives

Never mention any negatives. Don’t say you left a previous position because you hated another member of staff, for example. As awful as Randy the sexist builder might have been, your CV is not the place to vent! Instead, focus on what you enjoyed and where you excelled.

Focus on what’s most relevant

You don’t need to go into the same level of detail about your newspaper round at the age of 14 as your fourteen years as a plasterer. If you’re going to be a tutor or assessor for plastering NVQs, for example, then it’s evident which one the employer will want to hear about.

There is an unspoken cut-off point for what to advertise. You don’t want there to be long employment gaps in your work history, so include all positions. But, equally, there are some positions where the job title, company and dates are enough info – especially if they’re completely irrelevant to the current position you’re applying for.

Additional training and achievements

This section is where you can go into detail about any extra training you’ve done to upskill in previous roles or prepare for your new one. Include all your CPD training, etc., here.

In this section, you should also include any other activities or achievements that relate to the job you’re applying for. This might include things like workshops, volunteer work, work experience, or competitions.

Remember, these don’t necessarily have to be overly academic. Some things you wouldn’t think of can be really relevant. For example, if you’re a Scouts Leader for your son’s group – that shows you enjoy working with young people.

Make it easier for the employer to make connections by adding a line about how these additional training or achievements will make you better in the role you’re applying for.

For example:

“I’ve been volunteering as a Scout Leader for three years. This has given me experience in a leadership/teaching position. I’ve enjoyed passing on skills to the boys in my troupe and have built confidence in delivering lessons.”

References

Yes – you’ve got to include them! Most employers will ask for two references, and often will request that one is from your most recent employer.

This can be a bit tricky if we’ve left a previous job on a bad note – even if through no fault of our own.

However, remember it doesn’t have to be the big boss as your reference. Any relevant person in a position senior to your own can be used.

Maybe if your last boss was a pain in the backside (not that annoying bosses ever happen…), you could use a member of the HR department as your reference. Similarly, any places where you’ve volunteered and academic references can also be included here.

A reference should include the name of the person, their role and relation to your position, and contact details.

It’s good practice to let your references know in advance that you’ve included them on your application. Speaking to your references beforehand also gives them a little foresight, so they can prepare to give you a glowing review.

Format well

Keep it short

As a rule of thumb, CVs should be no longer than two A4 pages. If yours is much longer than this, then you’re probably including lots of information that isn’t relevant to the role you’re applying for. Cut parts that are ancient history or any long explanations of things your employer should understand. Remember, your interview is the chance to go into real detail. Your CV is to show you’re a good fit on paper.

Make it look professional

Font size should be no smaller than size 11, and you should choose a ‘sensible’ font. If you pick Comic Sans, you’re dead in the water. (Honestly, do not use Comic Sans – you heathens.) Times New Roman, Arial, and Calibri are all safe bets.

Clipart and Wordart are also banned. This is not an art project! Less is definitely more when it comes to formatting your CV.

Focus on clarity

Make sure each section of your CV has a clear heading. This makes it easy for the company you’re applying for to easily scan the document and check you tick the right boxes before they go in for a more in-depth read.

Remember, employers will receive dozens upon dozens of applications for every single role. And while this might seem a scary prospect, much of your ‘competition’ will end up straight in the bin. There are a huge number of jobseekers who apply for everything, even if they’re completely unqualified and have no relevant work history.

By showcasing your suitability for the role, you’ll easily survive the first sweep. Headings help!

Include a cover letter

Your cover letter is basically an extended personal statement. It clearly states the role you’re applying for, your suitability for the position, and why you want the job. Many employers use the cover letter as the very first part of the screening process.

Cover letters take time and they have to be personalised for each job. Having a great cover letter is a good indication to a prospective employer that you care. If you’ve taken the time to write something decent and individualised, it shows you really want the job.

For your cover letter:

  • Name the company and the job title, e.g. ‘Please accept my application for the role of NVQ Assessor at Hawkins College’.
  • Tick the boxes – one of the best ways to do this is to visit the job advert and repeat it back in your cover letter with a brief line about how you hit the mark. If the job advert says they need three years’ experience and a CAVA qualification, then your cover letter should definitely include the fact you have three years’ experience and a CAVA qualification. Go through the most important requirements and use these as a cover letter checklist.
  • Keep it brief and professional – you don’t need to give a sob story or be overly drippy in your cover letter. Take a professional stance: you’re qualified and you’re ready for this role.
  • Include your contact details – name, address, email, and phone number. Check, double check, and triple check these details – or you may miss out on interview.

Proof everything

Check everything for accuracy – not just in spelling and grammar, but in facts, too. Double check the employment dates you’ve listed, the contact details of your references, and which results you received on qualifications. Everything needs to be factually correct, spelled right, and flow well.

It’s a good idea to let a second pair of eyes take a look at your CV before you start sending it out to make sure there are no glaring oversights.

Personalise every application

This is really time-consuming, but it makes you stand out. For employers, it’s obvious when someone is applying to every single job in a ten-mile radius. By adjusting your cover letter and CV for each individual company you apply to, you come across as more conscientious and eager than your competition.

And, in the end, only getting a job will free you from the endless CV cycle….

In summary

We can’t get away from CVs. Unfortunately, they’re part of the job process! However, by following the tips in this guide, you can make sure you’re standing out in the right way.

And, if you’d like to give your CV a little extra boost with some additional training from Brooks and Kirk, then get in touch today.

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A New Career That Could Make More Time For You

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Fishing. Spa days. Baking. Duvet days. A night down the pub.

These are all things that can be hard to fit into your schedule when you’re working 40+ hours a week. It’s not surprising that there’s no end of people looking for ways to cut down their working hours to make more time for the things they love. The work-life balance crisis is real.

Fortunately, for those of us who work in a vocational sector, there is at least one solution. By becoming a qualified assessor, you have the option to cut down your hours or even go freelance for a career that fits around your lifestyle. A new career that can make more time for you.

How does becoming a qualified Assessor cut down on my working hours?

By taking a CAVA course and becoming a fully qualified assessor, you can reduce your working hours in two ways.

  • Earn a higher salary – take home the same pay while working fewer hours. Fully-qualified assessors can earn anywhere between £25-£35k a year!
  • Go freelance – many qualified assessors create their own businesses or go self-employed. When you take the reigns, you can choose which jobs to take, which hours to work, and how much you charge!

Are you looking for a new career with fewer hours?

Then perhaps becoming an NVQ Assessor is right for you. Whether you’re slowing down before retirement or simply trying to build a career that brings in a decent income around other commitments, taking a CAVA course to become a qualified assessor gives you more control of your schedule. There are many flexible working options for NVQ Assessors.

Brooks and Kirk can help

At Brooks and Kirk, we are a training provider with over 20 years’ experience in assessment. We offer the full CAVA course and examination to make you a fully qualified assessor.

If you have questions about the course cost, schedule, or the eligibility criteria, you can find many answers on our CAVA course page.

Alternatively, contact us today to speak to an expert advisor.

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The Importance of LinkedIn to Newly Qualified Assessors

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What does social media have to do with my career as a newly qualified Assessor?

Good question. We recommend a LinkedIn account for all our newly qualified Assessors. Why? Because LinkedIn is a platform for professionals to connect, share knowledge, and take steps up in their career. I’m sure you’ve all heard that old adage: ‘It’s not what you know, it’s who you know’. LinkedIn allows you to make contact with the right people.

LinkedIn is the platform for professionals and there are many ways you can use it to build your career in assessment and even find your first job as an NVQ Assessor. In this post, we’ll be giving a few top tips on how to make the most of your LinkedIn account.

LinkedIn Groups

When you join a LinkedIn group, you are immediately connected to a network of others within the same industry, with the same interests, or attending the same event. This gives you common ground with strangers and license to connect with them for discussion. Many groups will host events, so you’ll even get to meet useful contacts in ‘real life’. Even better, such events often take place at locations such as bars and curry houses…not a bad way to break into the industry!

For NVQ Assessors, you might join groups such as:

In these groups, you have the opportunity to gain useful information and advice, get notified of relevant job vacancies, and speak to other assessors.

LinkedIn Jobs

The LinkedIn platform hosts its own job site. Unlike traditional job sites, LinkedIn allows you to research the company and its employees much more thoroughly. This means you can make an informed decision before making an application. In other words, you can have a good old snoop. Similarly, the company can take a look at your work history and verified skills.

Direct messaging

If you have the premium version of LinkedIn (paid), then you have the added function of being able to send direct messages. This means you can get directly in touch with the relevant person within a company, even if job posts aren’t advertised. However, use this application sparingly – some people aren’t fans of unsolicited messages.

Your profile

Even if you don’t make use of the extra features that are available with LinkedIn and LinkedIn Premium, simply having an account puts you in the running for opportunities. Many employers use the LinkedIn platform to headhunt talent (as well as the odd person trying to get you to buy essential oils…!).

This means companies may contact you to invite you to submit applications for relevant jobs. Just make sure your profile is as complete as possible and shows a full work history. The more content you contribute to the site, the better – this shows your industry knowledge. It also goes a long way if you get former colleagues, friends, or relatives to verify your profile skills.

Brooks and Kirk are on LinkedIn!

Do you remember that list of useful LinkedIn Groups we gave at the beginning of this post? Well, one of those is ours! Join Assessor Training Jobs, News and Courses to keep up-to-date with everything that is happening in the world of assessment. You can also join our Facebook group for Assessors.

Of course, you can also get in touch with us directly to find out more about how to break into the world of assessment and start your new career. Our team of assessment experts are waiting to give you professional advice.

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New Year, New Career

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Sometimes, you know it’s time for a change. When it comes to your career, you might be ready to take a new direction if any of the following applies:

  • You feel a lack of passion, motivation, or commitment to your current role
  • You feel undervalued or disrespected
  • You haven’t taken a step up in a long time
  • You’re bored or ready for a new challenge
  • Your current role doesn’t fit in with the lifestyle you have or the lifestyle you want
  • Your salary isn’t where you want it to be.

In fact, 1 in 3 of us considers making a career change at the start of a new year. After a Christmas recharge and with the motivation of New Year’s resolutions spurring us on, January can be the perfect opportunity to move into that new role.

Sound like you? Well, you’re in the right place. In this article, we’re going to offer some tips and advice on how to build a new career in the New Year.

The Role of an NVQ Assessor

If you’re reading this on the Brooks and Kirk site, then the likelihood is you have an interest in becoming an NVQ Assessor – a great decision, by the way!

An NVQ Assessor is somebody who uses the benefit of their years of experience in a vocational industry to assess newcomers to the field during their training and qualifications. To become an NVQ Assessor, you need a minimum of two years’ experience in your industry (or equivalent qualification) and to pass a CAVA qualification.

Becoming an NVQ Assessor in the New Year

You have your eyes on the CAVA course – the only course that leads to becoming a fully-qualified NVQ Assessor.

But how to make it happen? There are two routes to take:

  • Talk to your current employer

If you’re currently working in a vocational role, then you may be able to take advantage of training schemes within your organisation to upskill. Employee funded training is common in many industries. If you find there are none advertised, then use your next employee review as an opportunity to bring it up. Many employers reward their high-performance employees by investing in further training and career development.

  • Invest in your own training

Alternatively, you can make the decision to go it alone. Don’t worry! This isn’t as hard as it seems. You can even complete a CAVA course while continuing to work in your current role. Brooks and Kirk offer online CAVA courses – we’ll even provide students to assess. Once qualified, this will give you the ammunition you need to negotiate a new position or pay rise within your current organisation or arm your CV to win an NVQ Assessor role elsewhere.

When is the next enrolment date?

If you’ve studied before, you’re probably expecting to have to wait until the next enrolment date to get started. Perhaps you’ve got a September or January start date in mind.

The good news is, at Brooks and Kirk, there are no set enrolment dates to start a CAVA course. You can begin whenever you like. In fact, complete a course purchase before 4pm, and you’ll be enrolled on the same day.

If you want a new career in the New Year, you can start on January 1st. Or February, March, April… whenever works best for you. The great thing about training for CAVA with Brooks and Kirk is that timing will never be an issue.

How to get ready for a January start

  • Read up on the CAVA Find out what it entails, the eligibility criteria that apply, and read up on all other aspects of the course.
  • Decide when to enrol. If you want to start on January 1st, then you can enrol any time before or on the day. Start the process here.

I want to become an NVQ Assessor in 2020

Fantastic! Becoming an NVQ Assessor is the perfect way to apply the skills and knowledge of a career in a new way. Top up your salary by taking a step up or slow down by going freelance. Whatever your reason, and whatever your schedule for completion, Brooks and Kirk is here for you.

Got questions? Contact us today for free, no-obligation advice from an expert adviser. Bring on the New Year!

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Who becomes an NVQ Assessor?

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This post is not about who can become an NVQ Assessor, but rather who does become an NVQ Assessor. We find one of the most important insights surrounding assessment training is the reasons why people want to become assessors in the first place.

Perhaps you’re on the fence about training to become an assessor. If so, try reading through this article and seeing if you fall into one of these categories. If you do, you’ll realise you’re in good company!

Our research shows our students fall into five categories when it comes to asking ‘Who becomes an NVQ Assessor?’

Have a read – which one are you?

Who becomes an NVQ assessor?  – The Battle Weary

None of us can go on indefinitely (even if the pension age says otherwise!). Over time our energies fade, our bodies get tired, or we simply think enough’s enough. When you work in a vocational field – perhaps more so than in any other – you rely on a certain level of physical fitness and ability to just keep going. But eventually, the time comes when you want – or need! – to slow down.

This was the experience of many of our students. Like a Health and Social Care professional who came to us because her bad back meant she could no longer continue in her role. Others find they’re let down by ill health, injury, or a sudden change. One of our students found she had to leave her job as a Hair and Beauty Specialist after 20 years because she suddenly developed an allergy to the chemicals!

Whatever the reason, when the physicality of the job gets a little too much, becoming an NVQ Assessor is a great way to take a sidestep within your industry and continue to work – just with a few more tea breaks!

Who becomes an NVQ Assessor? – The Work-Life Balancers

There are those among us who are ‘career people’. Those that live for their jobs, never seem to lose energy or enthusiasm, and who will put work first – always.

For the rest of us, there’s a limit to how much we’re willing to put into a day job. We want to enjoy time with our friends and family, to pursue hobbies, and just to have a little downtime. We need a balance so we can go into that office (or construction site, or salon, or care home…!) with a spring in our step.

These are the work-life balancers. This group of learners come to us for the opportunity to take their skills freelance. As a freelancer, they can enjoy flexibility in their schedule. This means they can prioritise the things that are most important to them without having to sacrifice a fulfilling and profitable career.

Who becomes an NVQ Assessor? – The Knowledge Givers

After a career well-served, we’re left with a wealth of knowledge and skill. For some of our students, this is their motivation to go into assessment. They want to pass that knowledge on. More than anything – greater than any other motivation – they simply want to teach.

The great thing about becoming an NVQ Assessor is you have the opportunity to do that without needing a degree. Only work experience and the desire to step up into an assessor role.

Who becomes an NVQ Assessor? – The Career Changers

Boredom, lack of recognition, repetition, the yearning for a new challenge… There are dozens of reasons why people want to have a change in career. However, lots of people are put off changing direction because it means all the hard work they’ve already put in to gain skills, qualifications and experience become defunct.

Except when you become an NVQ Assessor! Becoming an assessor lets you take a career side-step, remaining in the industry, making use of your skills and knowledge, but applying them in a new way.

It’s a great way to feel like you’ve got a brand-new career without losing any of the groundwork you’ve already done. And the opportunity is there for anyone with work experience in a vocational field.

Who becomes an NVQ Assessor? – The Second Incomers

We can be brilliant at our jobs and still find the salary isn’t quite where we’d like it to be. Some of our students found themselves in this position when they decided to train to become NVQ Assessors.

As many NVQ Assessors are freelance, this means an assessor role can work perfectly around a full-time job to offer just a little extra income. This can help at tough times such as Christmas or before a holiday, or just generally help life be a little more comfortable.

Who becomes an NVQ Assessor? …Why not you?

This article has gone into five of the main reasons students come to us; five of the reasons people choose to become NVQ Assessors.

We challenged you at the start of this article to find yourself on this list. Did you?

If what you’ve read here has got you thinking about slowing down, getting a better work-life balance, passing on your knowledge, changing your career, or earning a little extra, then get in touch with Brooks and Kirk today.

We’ll talk you through which qualifications are available and which you need. Then we can get you on track to becoming qualified. Call today!

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How do I become a fully qualified Assessor?

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One of the questions we get asked most often at Brooks and Kirk is ‘How do I become an NVQ Assessor?’

The answer is probably not as complicated as you think! You simply need to meet two requirements to become an NVQ assessor:

  • You must demonstrate something called ‘occupational competence’
  • and you must have completed the CAVA qualification.

That’s it! It’s not a complex process, but some people who are new to assessment might find themselves a little confused over what we mean by occupational competence, or struggle to wade through the range of assessment courses on offer. Undoubtedly, all you need to know is that CAVA is the only course that makes you a fully qualified Assessor.

In the rest of this article, we’ll go through these two components in a little more detail to make sure you’re left with no grey areas.

Become qualified through CAVA

Firstly, nobody can become an assessor without being qualified in some way through the official framework of assessment qualifications (TAQA). The course we’ll be focusing on in this article is the CAVA course; which is the only qualification that will lead to you becoming a fully qualified NVQ Assessor.

What’s involved in the CAVA course?

CAVA stands for Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement. Although, you may also come across references to the D32 and D33 awards or the A1 and A2 awards. These are predecessors to the CAVA course. In 2010, CAVA was introduced. At this time, it’s the course you need to take to become a fully qualified NVQ Assessor.

When you undertake the CAVA course, you’ll cover the three criteria that are essential to the assessment process:

Unit 1: Understanding the Principles and Practices of Assessment
Unit 2: Assess Occupational Competence in the Work Environment
and Unit 3: Assess Vocational Skills, Knowledge and Understanding

In short, you’ll learn the principles and practices behind the assessment process, and then learn how to assess both within a workplace and classroom environment.

What you need to be eligible to enrol in a CAVA course

To be eligible to enrol in a CAVA course, there is only one thing you need to be able to do. Demonstrate occupational competence.

Hmm… That’s the second time you’ve used that phrase, but what does it mean?

In the simplest terms, if you can demonstrate occupational competence, you can show you have sufficient knowledge and understanding of your industry to be able to judge whether someone else is doing the job well.

Not so hard, right? But what exactly makes my knowledge ‘sufficient’?

That’s a good question and one that can be hard to answer as different employers and training providers can interpret the ‘occupational competence’ criteria differently. However, in general, there are two ways you can demonstrate that you have sufficient knowledge and skill to train as an assessor.

1)      Work experience

This is by far the most highly regarded form of occupational competence you can demonstrate. Two years of work experience in your field (and at the right level) is generally considered sufficient to demonstrate occupational competence, although it’s always worth checking whether your training provider or employer is looking for a longer work history.

2)      Vocational qualifications

Vocational qualifications describe any type of accredited training you’ve done to get to where you are. For example, NVQs, BTECs, or relevant diplomas.

Generally, a Level 3 qualification is considered the right level to demonstrate occupational competence – but not always! Some training providers and employers will accept lower levels of vocational qualification or even none at all if you’ve got the right work experience.

To sum it all up

You’ve read the long version; now here’s the whole thing in a nutshell!

To become an assessor, you need to:

  • Already have a high level of occupational competence, i.e. two years of work experience in the industry and/or a Level 3 vocational qualification
  • Complete a CAVA course to become a fully qualified Assessor.

Remember, the eligibility criteria to take the CAVA course can vary depending on how the institution interprets ‘occupational competence’, so always check what’s needed from you before applying.

Get in touch with Brooks and Kirk

If you’re starting to get excited, knowing you’re only a stone’s throw away from becoming a qualified assessor, then get in touch today and let us help you go the last mile. We’re expert assessor training providers who’ve been delivering assessor training for over 20 years! We can offer expert advice no matter what your industry or career goals.

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Assessing in Retirement

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For most of us, retirement is a lifelong dream that we start thinking about almost as soon as we enter the workforce! The thought of endless days of lounging, time with family, and finally taking up those hobbies we’ve always wanted to learn seems heavenly.

However, sometimes the reality of retirement is an altogether different thing! Some folks will find themselves missing the pace of working life and the sense of satisfaction they get from a hard day’s work. Others might find they simply miss the company, or don’t seem to have enough going on to fill their days. And, for some, they think how nice it would be to just have a little extra in the bank for a more comfortable retirement.

If any of the above sounds like you, then you might find you’re a perfect candidate to be a Freelance Assessor in retirement.

What does a Freelance Assessor do?

A Freelance Assessor assesses learners undergoing training to achieve their NVQ qualifications.

So, what’s the difference from a regular Assessor? Well, that’s the good part – how much you work and at what rate of pay is up to you! This makes it the perfect option for those looking for part-time flexible hours at an excellent hourly rate.

How much does a Freelance Assessor earn?

This varies! As a Freelance Assessor, you would largely be able to charge your own rate. However, the industry standard is around £20-25 p/h.

Am I eligible to become a Freelance Assessor?

If you can answer ‘yes’ to the following questions, then you are very likely eligible to train as a Freelance Assessor:

  • Do you have a minimum of two years’ working experience in a vocational field?
  • Do you have vocational qualifications in your field? E.g. An NVQ?
  • Do you want to work with future generations aspiring to work in your previous career field?

If you meet all the above criteria, then congratulations! You’re eligible to train as a Freelance Assessor.

Do I have to have an NVQ to become a Freelance Assessor in retirement?

In the above criteria, we’ve listed having an NVQ as a mandatory requirement. However, there are some training providers who will accept a significant amount of relevant work experience in the necessary field in place of a formal qualification.

How do I become a Freelance Assessor?

If you answered ‘yes’ to all our eligibility questions, then all that’s left to do is enrol onto the Assessor course that’s right for you.

There are 3 different courses to choose from; each of which differs slightly from the others:

So, if you want to become a fully-qualified Assessor who can work in both the classroom and the workplace, you’ll need to complete the CAVA course.

Assessing in Multiple Sectors

Most of us will move through several careers over our working life. If this applies to you, then you may find you’re eligible to assess in more than one vocational field! The great news is that the Assessor qualifications are not industry-specific; which means if you meet the eligibility criteria for more than one vocational field, you’ll be qualified to assess in all of them after completing a the CAVA course.

Finding work as a qualified Freelance Assessor

You may be wondering how you’d find work after all this is done. If you’re not employed, how are you getting clients?

Well, there are a few ways to promote your services as a Freelance Assessor.

  • Apply through a job site – Many institutions will advertise their need for Freelance Assessors on classic job sites such as Indeed and Reed. However, in these cases, they’ll usually stipulate how much they’re willing to pay.
  • Search through a relevant community network – As well as traditional job sites, you’ll also find there are sites advertising assessment work specifically, such as The Assessor’s Guild.
  • Sign up to specialist recruitment agencies – Some recruitment agencies specialise in training and assessment. Getting yourself on these agencies’ books can mean they do the work for you, putting you forward for relevant roles.
  • Self-promotion – Then, of course, you could bypass the above and promote yourself. You can create a website to advertise your services, reach out to local training providers, and attend relevant conferences to make connections in your industry.

Is there an upper age limit?

Not at all! Anyone who’s still got that spring in their step is more than welcome to enrol. As a matter of fact, our oldest student was 71!

Ready to learn more?

If after reading this, you’re thinking this might be the perfect retirement earner for you, then we recommend getting in touch today. We at Brooks and Kirk can guide you through the application process to enrol on to the CAVA course and help you prepare for the next steps.

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6 Top Tips for Newly-Qualified Assessors

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It’s been a long road. You’ve demonstrated your occupational competence, you’ve completed your course, and now you’re ready to keep an eye on those learners; you’re a newly qualified Assessor!

First of all, good job on getting qualified! You’ve entered into a career that is both challenging and rewarding. You’ve shown you’re an industry expert and now it’s time to demonstrate your ability as an Assessor.

So, by following our six top tips, we guarantee you’ll build confidence and competence as a newly qualified Assessor.

1)     Shadow experienced assessors

There’s no better way to pick up the tricks of the trade than to see others at work. Shadowing an experienced Assessor is a great way to see what you’ve learned in action, to learn techniques to deal with obstacles, and to consider how your newfound skills might translate in a real assessment setting. When working with a long-time Assessor, you also have the chance to ask questions as you go.

However, a shadowing placement is usually unpaid, unless it’s employer-funded. So, you might find you’ll be out of pocket for the time you’re taking notes from a practiced Assessor. Nontheless, the experience you gain will be invaluable and will look great on a CV if you’re still looking for a paid position.

2)     Make sure you know your National Occupational Standards 

Of course, it’s important your industry knowledge is as sharp as your assessment skills. According to gov.uk, “A National Occupational Standard (NOS) is a document that describes the knowledge, skills and understanding an individual needs to be competent at a job.” These are used to assess NVQ learners.

As an NVQ Assessor, you’ll need to know what the NOS criteria are for the qualification(s) you’re assessing. These will be very specific to your industry and to the course being taken. Being up to date with these shows you’re prepared to assess within your field and that your knowledge of assessment within your industry is current.

All NOS documents can be found at UK Standards. You can use the finder tool here.

3)     Gain experience in End-Point Assessment

End-Point Assessment is a chance for newly qualified assessors to dip their toe into the world of assessment. The role of the End-Point Assessor is not to follow a student through the NVQ assessment process, but simply to determine whether their final result warrants a Pass, Merit, or Distinction. It’s a relatively new role in the assessment world that has appeared since the apprenticeship reform in 2017. You can find more information on End-Point Assessment through our EPA Knowledgebase.

4)     Promote yourself

Now your role has changed, you want to make sure everyone knows. Update your social media, CV, and business cards. If you’re not using LinkedIn – you should be! It’s the perfect platform for online networking, identifying job opportunities, and communicating with others in the field of assessment.

Some of the best LinkedIn groups for NVQ Assessors include:

5)     Stay ahead in your vocational knowledge

Even after you’ve qualified as an Assessor, you’ll find the landscape of your industry will always be changing. Standards change, best practice changes, and new ways of doing things come into play. It’s important your vocational knowledge always stays current.

To stay ahead of changes and stay occupationally competent, you should be actively making efforts to continue your professional development (CPD). Some of the ways you can do this are:

    • Subscribe to industry journals
    • Join relevant networks online and in the real world
    • Shadow classes
    • Keep on top of the latest NOS.

6)     Take the next step in your professional development

There are qualifications above and beyond CAVA. One qualification that we would recommend alongside your CAVA is the Level 3 Award in Education and Training. This qualification replaced a qualification that was commonly known as the ‘PTLLS’ Award. 

The Level 3 Award in Education and Training is the first step towards becoming a teacher in adult education. When working with adults, you don’t need a PGCE (required for teaching children). Instead, you can take the AET (Level 3 Award in Education and Training) to get your foot in the door at Further Education colleges and other adult learning institutions.

After more tips and advice?

Contact Brooks and Kirk today. We can give you advice about continuing professional development, including the AET qualification.

assessor-job

Making Sense of NVQ Assessor Job Vacancies

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With NVQ Assessor roles salaried at £25k-£35K per annum, landing a job in one of these positions is a big deal. You may have come across job postings for these roles and been drawn to the high starting wage; the opportunity to travel between sites; or the chance to pass on your skills and knowledge to the next generation in your industry. Whatever your reason for looking into NVQ Assessor job vacancies or IQA vacancies, you want to make sure you’re applying for the ones you’re most qualified in, to get the best chance of getting called to an interview.

Making Sense of the Jargon

When looking for NVQ Assessor job vacancies or IQA job vacancies, you may never see the term ‘NVQ Assessor’ or ‘Internal Verifier’. Many companies have their own terminology for their in-house assessors and quality assurers.

Here are just a few we found on a quick search of the job sites:

  • Regional Trainer (£22,965 – £24,055)
  • IQA Assessor (£23,000)
  • Trainer Assessor (£24,190 – £25,974)
  • Direct Delivery Trainer (£28,694)
  • Employability Coach (£19,553 – £23,300)

As you can see, the terminology used varies, which can make it even tougher to find the right position when searching for NVQ Assessor job vacancies or IQA vacancies.

Yet, all these jobs listed above require applicants to have some level of qualification from within the TAQA Framework.

How to Determine if I’m Qualified

Do I have the relevant experience?

Relevant experience, or ‘occupational competence’, is the first thing any employer will look for when hiring a new assessor. In the simplest terms, ‘occupational competence’ means you’ve worked in your industry for a certain amount of time at the required level, to have enough experience to recognise that someone else is doing the job well. It can also mean you have a high enough level of qualification within your industry to give you the expertise you need to assess others.

Different employers will have different requirements when it comes to the criteria they want their applicants to meet to show they have occupational competence. This will usually be specified by the number of years someone has had in a role or the level of NVQ training an applicant has undertaken in the industry.

Have I got the relevant qualification(s)?

When you’re not seeing the expected job title in your searches, you may start to wonder exactly what roles you are and aren’t qualified for. That’s when you need to start looking at the qualifications section of the NVQ Assessor job vacancies or IQA vacancies posts.

Depending on which course you have taken, you will be qualified to:

So, when looking to see whether you’re qualified for a position, you should start by checking the qualifications section of the post and searching for the title or acronym of your qualification.

I don’t see my qualification listed in the job description?

The qualifications framework for Assessors and Internal Verifiers has changed over the years. This means while you might not see your qualification listed, there’s a chance an older equivalent will be in the job description.

You might see D32 and D33 awards or A1 and A2 awards listed as desirable or essential qualifications in job postings for Assessor roles. These are former qualifications that have now been replaced by the CAVA course.

Similarly, D34 and V1 courses have now been replaced by the IQA Qualifications.

Former Qualifications

Current Equivalent

D32/D33

CAVA

A1

CAVA

D34

IQA Qualifications

V1

IQA Qualifications

Making an Application

By now, you should feel like you’re making sense of NVQ Assessor job vacancies. At least, you should be able to determine which roles you’re qualified for. It’s now time to check off the rest of the ‘essentials’ list.

Essential qualities

Almost all job posts will divide their requirements into a list of essential qualities and desirable qualities. Essential qualities are what the employer sees as vital to doing the job.

These might be key qualifications, skills or qualities, such as ‘great communication skills’, ‘previous experience working in a college’, or ‘must have an ILM in Management’.

Ideally, you will be able to say you have all of the ‘essential’ qualities. However, if you have almost all of them, it may still be worth applying. But, if you only meet one criteria from a long list, it may be better to continue your search for a better-suited position.

Desirable qualities

After checking you have the essentials, you’ll then want to move onto the list of ‘desirable’ qualities. These are the non-essential parts of a job description that may nevertheless give you the edge on the competition.

These are things such as additional qualifications, second languages, transport, and previous experience in specific areas. The more you can bring to the table, the better. But, even if you have very few or even none of the desirable qualities, it is still worth applying if you meet the essential criteria of the job role. It never hurts to try! You may find you’re exactly what they’re looking for.

Send out your CV

Now that you’ve figured out how to decipher the often confusing job posts you’ll see for Assessor or IQA roles, it’s time to put yourself out there. Remember to refer to the essential requirements in the body of your CV and to offer a paragraph about your previous experience. If you can find the name of the person who’ll be reviewing the CVs, even better. The more research you do about the company you’re applying to, the more professional you’ll seem.

And if you’re not quite there yet, but are thinking about a career change into assessing or quality assurance, why not take a look at Brooks and Kirk’s range of Assessor and IQA Qualifications?

Hopefully, this article will have well-explained exactly what’s required to secure one of these fantastic roles. If you’ve already got relevant experience in your field, then you’re halfway there! Why not give us a call today to find out how to take the next step?

Assessor Qualifications Acronyms

How to make sure you choose the right Assessor Qualification

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There’s no doubt that training for a new role/career can be costly; both in terms of money and time. That’s why it’s important to make sure you’re choosing the right Assessor Qualification from the start. Not only will this save you a considerable amount of money in the long run, it will also qualify you for that role or assessor job you want, even sooner.

Making the right choice will depend entirely on your career goals and what you want to be able to assess. At Brooks and Kirk, we offer a range of courses suitable for the trained Assessor looking to refresh their knowledge, all the way through to experienced individuals looking to become qualified as assessors for the first time.

What are my options?

The first step in choosing the right Assessor Qualification is knowing exactly what options are available to you and where these qualifications could lead.

You’ll see on our site that we offer four Level 3 qualifications – Does this mean they all do the same thing?

Not quite! Although all of our qualifications represent a high standard of training, each one equips learners for a different end goal.

What’s your end goal?

People undertake training for a number of different reasons. For example, some people are looking to update their knowledge after being in one role for a long time. Others may be working within an industry but are looking to sidestep into a new position. Then there are those who want a completely new career and are looking to become qualified in areas they’ve never worked before.

In the rest of this article, we’ll take a look at different learner goals and explain which Assessor Qualification is right for each one.

Assessor Qualifications Acronyms

1.     I want to update my knowledge

If you’re already a trained Assessor who is simply looking to refresh their knowledge or learn about updates in the industry, then you will need our Level 3 Award in Understanding the Principles and Practices of Assessment (UPPA) – Unit 1.

This course does not qualify a learner to become a trained Assessor. Its purpose is to upskill people who are already working in an Assessor role. Perfect for those looking to keep their skills sharp!

2.     I want to be a classroom assessor

If you’re looking to become an Assessor exclusively in a classroom, workshop, or virtual setting, then you need the Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement (AVRA) – Units 1 & 3.

This award will qualify you to assess learners in a classroom setting but is not suitable for people who want to assess in a workplace environment.

3.     I want to assess on the job

If you want to become an Assessor of occupational competency – i.e. you want to make sure people are doing their jobs right! – then you’ll want to take the Level 3 Award in Assessing Competence in the Work Environment (ACWE) – Units 1 & 2.

So on the flip side, this award will qualify you to assess in a workplace environment only. You won’t be qualified as a classroom Assessor upon completion of the course.

4.     I want to do it all

If you’re looking to dive in the deep end and become an all-around Assessor who can work both in the classroom and on-the-job, then you will want to take the Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (CAVA) – Units 1,2 & 3. On completion of this certification, you will be a fully qualified assessor. This is our only certificate that ensures you are fully-qualified in every setting.

Reading the fine print

It’s important when choosing the right Assessor Qualification that you’re aware of which awards actually qualify you for your desired role, and which are unaccredited training. At Brooks and Kirk, all of our awards are part of the NVQ Framework and are nationally recognised. You can choose to receive your certification from City and Guilds, Pearson Edexcel or Industry Qualifications.

Are you sure? What about A1, D32, D33 or the TAQA?

Okay, so a really brief history lesson for you here… The D32/33 awards were replaced by the A1 awards, which were later replaced by a suite of qualifications that is often referred to as ‘TAQA’ in 2010. If you still feel like you are a little bamboozled by all of these acronyms, assessor qualifications run-through should help.

But most importantly, don’t worry – we offer the most up-to-date qualifications!

I have a full-time job. What are my options for studying?

Over 70% of the trainee assessors we currently have on-programme are fitting their study around a full-time job. This is made possible by Brooks and Kirk’s completely unique delivery model.

Exactly what your course will involve depends on which assessor qualification you choose. That being said, even if you were to enrol onto the most prestigious of the lot – the CAVA, you would only be required to attend one day. You will be able to complete the rest of your course online, entirely at your own pace.

Still not sure?

If you’re still not sure what’s right for you, then there’s no need to worry. Our expert team is available to help and make sure you’re getting exactly the training you need.

Get in touch with us today and talk us through your career goals. We’ll make sure you choose the right Assessor Qualification to get you where you want to be.

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