What is an A1 Assessor Course?

If you’ve landed here searching for the A1 assessor qualification, here’s the answer straight away: the A1 award no longer exists. It stopped being delivered in 2010. Today, you need the Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement, also known as the CAVA.

So why does “A1 assessor” still show up in searches, job adverts, and conversations? This guide explains what the A1 was, why it disappeared, what replaced it, and what to do if you want to become a qualified assessor today.

What Was the A1 Assessor Qualification?

The A1 assessor qualification was formally called the Level 3 Award in Assessing Candidates Using a Range of Methods. It launched in late 2002, replacing the older D32 and D33 units. It was a single-unit qualification.

However, the A1 award stopped after 2010. So if you trained as an A1 assessor, you completed a qualification that’s no longer available to new learners.

Alongside the A1, a sister qualification existed too — the A2. Its formal name was the Level 3 Award in Assessing Candidates’ Performance Through Observation. Providers phased out the A2 at the same time as the A1.

Together, these two qualifications shaped how assessors worked for years. As a result, their legacy still influences assessment practice today, even though neither qualification exists anymore.

If you’re interested in the full history of assessor qualifications, see our guide to the evolution of assessor qualifications.

What Replaced the A1 Assessor Award?

In 2010, a new suite of four assessor qualifications replaced the A1 and A2. People often call this suite TAQA — Training, Assessment, and Quality Assurance.

Of the four, the CAVA matches the old A1 most closely. This is the Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement. The CAVA lets you assess learners in both the classroom and the workplace. It’s currently the most widely recognised assessor qualification, and employers request it most often.

The other three qualifications in the TAQA suite are:

• AVRA (Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement). This qualifies you to assess learners only in a training environment, such as a classroom or dedicated training facility.
• ACWE (Level 3 Award in Assessing Competence in the Work Environment). This qualifies you to assess learners only in their workplace — for example, as part of an NVQ or the on-programme element of an apprenticeship.
• UPPA (Level 3 Award in Understanding the Principles and Practices of Assessment). This is a knowledge-only qualification. It doesn’t qualify you to assess in either setting. However, it works well as a CPD course for those who want to understand assessment without carrying it out themselves.

For most people, the CAVA is the right choice. Because it covers both settings, it gives you the widest range of career options.

All four qualifications in the TAQA suite are nationally accredited and listed on the Ofqual Register of Regulated Qualifications, so you can verify their current status directly with the regulator.

Is the A1 Assessor Award Still Valid?

This is where a lot of confusion comes from. So let’s be clear about it.

The A1 award itself doesn’t expire. If you completed it, you still hold a legitimate qualification. However, “still valid” and “still current” aren’t quite the same thing.

Did you qualify with the A1 and keep assessing ever since? Then you’ve almost certainly kept your skills up to date through ongoing CPD. Your practice reflects current standards, even though your original qualification predates the CAVA.

However, your situation differs if you qualified years ago and haven’t assessed since. Your practical knowledge may be out of date. In that case, refreshing your skills before assessing again makes sense. The UPPA qualification offers a good way to do that without needing to requalify from scratch.

The honest summary: your A1 certificate is still yours and still real. However, good practice and regulatory expectations have moved on since 2010. So treat returning to assessing as a chance to refresh, not just a formality.

Why Do Job Adverts Still Mention the A1?

This is one of the most common sources of confusion. Some employers still list “A1 assessor award” as a requirement in job adverts. However, the qualification was discontinued over a decade ago.

This usually happens because the person writing the advert doesn’t know the A1 no longer exists. As a result, job seekers see “A1 assessor award required” and assume it’s still the current qualification.

In reality, employers almost certainly mean the CAVA — or they’re open to any of the four current TAQA qualifications. So don’t let outdated terminology put you off. The CAVA covers everything the A1 once did, and more.

What Jobs Can I Get with an Assessor Qualification?

Qualified assessors work across almost every educational and training setting imaginable. Colleges and independent training providers employ most assessors. However, growing numbers now work for End-Point Assessment Organisations (EPAOs), delivering end-point assessments for apprenticeships. In addition, more companies now hire assessors directly to deliver in-house training for their own staff.

The work can involve delivering stand-alone qualifications, supporting apprenticeships, or carrying out end-point assessments. Your occupational competence — your real industry experience — mainly determines what and where you can assess.

What Is the Average Salary for Assessors?

Assessor salaries vary depending on sector and experience. As a general guide, qualified assessors in the UK typically earn between £25,000 and £37,000 per year. Entry-level roles start around £23,000–£25,000. Experienced assessors working in high-demand sectors — such as construction, finance, and business — can earn towards the top of that range or beyond.

Freelance assessors often earn more. Rates of £165–£200 per day are common. Specialists in high-demand sectors earn considerably more. For a full breakdown by sector, see our assessor salary guide.

What Do I Need to Get My CAVA Qualification?

To gain the CAVA, you need to complete three units. The course suits working professionals. So you can study part-time and keep working while you qualify.

The qualification guidance suggests around 150 hours of study. With a couple of hours a day, you could realistically finish in around 12 weeks. You also need to be at least 19 years old.

Entry requirements:

No formal entry requirements exist. However, you’ll typically need maths and English at Level 2 standard, plus occupational competence in your chosen area. In addition, every TAQA qualification except the UPPA requires access to two learners to assess as part of the course.

This last point catches a lot of people out. Without access to learners, you can’t complete the qualification — regardless of how much you’ve already studied. At Brooks and Kirk, we provide access to learners as part of the course fee. So this isn’t a barrier for our students.

What Is TAQA?

We’ve mentioned TAQA throughout this guide. So let’s clarify exactly what it means.

TAQA isn’t a qualification itself. It’s an acronym standing for Training, Assessment, and Quality Assurance. It refers to the entire suite of qualifications introduced in 2010 to replace the A1 and A2.

The TAQA suite includes all four assessor qualifications covered above. It also includes the full range of quality assurance and training qualifications, including the IQA and Lead IQA awards.

For a complete breakdown of every qualification within the TAQA suite, see our full guide to TAQA.

Ready to Get Your Current Assessor Qualification?

If you want to become a qualified assessor today, the CAVA is almost certainly the right choice. It’s the most widely recognised qualification, the one most employers ask for, and it covers both classroom and workplace assessment.

At Brooks and Kirk, our CAVA course is fully online and nationally accredited. It also includes access to learners at no extra cost. 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 qualification here.

If you have questions about which qualification suits you, our team is happy to help. Email us at training@brooksandkirk.ac.uk or call 01205 805 155.