Discover the Difference Between Internal and External Quality Assurance!
Quality Assurance is all about making sure that products and services are the best they can be, avoiding problems, and improving them continuously. But did you know that there are two different methods of Quality Assurance – Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) and External Quality Assurance (EQA)? Let’s dive in and find out what sets them apart!
Internal Quality Assurance
Let’s have a closer look at the IQA. The IQA is the process of monitoring the teaching, learning, and assessment activities of learners at a training provider. This is done by an internal member of staff known as the Internal Quality Assurer (or simply the Quality Manager).
In most cases, IQAs are supervisors or managers within training centres who are responsible for staff, systems, and procedures. Some may even perform both roles as an Assessor, but they can’t assess their own decisions to avoid conflicts of interest.
Want to become an Internal Quality Assurer? You’ll need two qualifications – the Assessor qualification and the IQA qualification.
External Quality Assurance
EQA is the process of ensuring that assessments and IQA activities are conducted in a consistent, safe, and fair manner. This is done by the Quality Assurer of the Awarding Body, who must be registered with the Training Provider.
EQA monitors the training centre’s processes and practices to ensure they meet the requirements and provides support and advice for areas of improvement. To become an External Quality Assurer, you’ll need the Assessor qualification and an EQA Qualification, which can only be obtained from the Awarding Body, such as Pearson Edexcel.
The IQA and EQA should have a good working relationship throughout the year to ensure the best possible outcome for learners.
If you’re interested in becoming an Internal Quality Assurer, then you will need to head on over to our friends at Brooks and Kirk to see if you’re eligible to complete the course!
If you have any questions about either course then please send us an email at hello@nvqassessor.org.uk and we will be happy to answer any and all questions.
