Who becomes an NVQ Assessor?
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 assessor 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, have a read through this article and see 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?
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!
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.
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 assessing. 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. You only need work experience and the desire to step up into an assessor role. Of course you also need an assessor qualification, but we’ll go in to that later.
The ‘Knowledge Givers’ tend to agree that it is most satisfying developing a students knowledge and see they reap the rewards at the end. When they finally get their certificate and are signed off their NVQ. Knowing that it’s because of their teaching and assessing, there’s another skilled worker in their industry.
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.
The Second Incomers
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.
There are also those in retirement who want to keep the pension funds topped up. After all, because of the flexibility of the role, you’re never too old to become an NVQ Assessor.
Why don’t you become an NVQ Assessor?
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 can get you started on your journey to become an Assessor. Call us on 01205 805 155 or send an email to training@brooksandkirk.ac.uk.
Steve is a Chartered Manager and a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute.
He provides Educational Consultancy to the 19+ sector as well as being an Assessor, IQA, EPA and Digital Marketing Professional. When not doing any of these he finds time, every now and then, to write blogs and articles.