Blog

The hospitality industry is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world, with a wide range of roles and opportunities. If you’re passionate about this field and enjoy helping others, becoming a hospitality assessor could be the perfect career choice for you.

In this article, we’ll explore what it takes to become a hospitality assessor, the benefits of holding the CAVA qualification, and the opportunities available in this field.

What is a Hospitality Assessor?

A hospitality assessor is responsible for assessing and evaluating the knowledge and skills of individuals in the hospitality industry. As a hospitality assessor, you’ll work with learners to help them achieve their qualifications and develop their skills. You’ll also work with employers to ensure their employees are competent and trained to industry standards.

To become a hospitality assessor, you’ll need to have a wealth of experience in the industry and hold relevant qualifications. You’ll also need to be a good communicator and have strong organisational skills.

Benefits of Holding the CAVA Qualification

One of the most important qualifications for hospitality assessors is the CAVA qualification, which stands for the Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement. The CAVA qualification is designed to provide learners with the skills and knowledge required to assess vocational achievements in a variety of settings, including the hospitality industry.

There are many benefits to holding the CAVA qualification, including:

Professional Recognition: The CAVA qualification is recognised by industry professionals and employers as a mark of quality and competence. Holding this qualification will show that you’re committed to your profession and have the knowledge and skills needed to be an effective hospitality assessor.

Career Advancement: Holding the CAVA qualification can open up new career opportunities and help you advance in your career. Many employers prefer to hire individuals who hold this qualification, and it can be a requirement for certain roles.

Enhanced Skills: The CAVA qualification will provide you with the skills and knowledge needed to be an effective hospitality assessor. This includes assessing learners, giving feedback, and planning and delivering assessments. These skills can also be applied in other areas of the hospitality industry, making you a more well-rounded professional.

Improved Earning Potential: Holding the CAVA qualification can lead to an increase in salary or hourly rate. This is because the qualification is recognised by employers and shows that you have the skills and knowledge needed to be an effective assessor.

A great training provider we recommend that provides the CAVA course is Brooks and Kirk. They are industry specialists with a wealth of knowledge, so they know what they’re talking about! 

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. 

An assessor is a professional who is responsible for evaluating the skills, knowledge, and abilities of individuals in a particular field. The role of an assessor is vital in ensuring that the right training and development opportunities are provided to individuals and that their skills are recognized and certified. In this blog article, we will explore the roles and responsibilities of an assessor in detail.

Roles of an Assessor

1. Evaluate and assess individuals’ skills, knowledge, and abilities in a specific field.
2. Identify areas of improvement for individuals and provide them with feedback.
3. Develop assessment tools and techniques to evaluate individuals’ skills effectively.
4. Determine the most appropriate method of assessment for individuals based on their needs and abilities.
5. Ensure that assessments are fair, reliable, and consistent.
6. Keep up-to-date with developments in the field and make recommendations for improvements.

Responsibilities of an Assessor

1. Conduct assessments: The primary responsibility of an assessor is to conduct assessments. This involves evaluating individuals’ skills, knowledge, and abilities in a specific field and determining their level of proficiency.

2. Provide feedback: Assessors are responsible for providing individuals with feedback on their performance. This feedback should be constructive, objective, and based on the results of the assessment.

3. Develop assessment tools: Assessors must develop assessment tools that are reliable, valid, and appropriate for the field being assessed. This may involve developing assessment plans, questionnaires, or other assessment instruments.

4. Ensure fairness and consistency: Assessors must ensure that assessments are fair, reliable, and consistent. This involves ensuring that all individuals are assessed in the same way and that assessments are conducted in an environment that is free from bias and discrimination.

5. Maintain records: Assessors are responsible for maintaining records of all assessments conducted. These records should include the results of the assessment, feedback provided to individuals, and any recommendations for improvement.

6. Keep up-to-date with developments: Assessors must keep up-to-date with developments in the field and make recommendations for improvements. This involves staying informed about new technologies, best practices, and emerging trends in the field.

In conclusion, the role of an assessor is critical in ensuring that individuals receive the right training and development opportunities to meet their needs. Assessors are responsible for evaluating individuals’ skills, knowledge, and abilities, providing feedback, developing assessment tools, ensuring fairness and consistency, maintaining records, and keeping up-to-date with developments in the field. To be an effective assessor, one must have a strong understanding of the field being assessed, be well-organised, and have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

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. 

So you want to assess a learner’s vocational achievement in their learning environment? You’ll need the Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement (AVRA). Let’s go into more detail about the course.

AVRA

The Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement (AVRA) is a qualification designed for individuals who want to assess a learner in their educational environment, such as a college or online learning environment. 

The AVRA course typically covers the following key areas:

• Understanding the principles and practices of assessment
• Planning and preparing for assessment
• Carrying out assessment
• Making judgments and decisions based on evidence gathered during the assessment
• Understanding the legal and regulatory requirements for assessment
• Understanding how to assess and provide feedback to learners

There are two units within the AVRA course. These are Unit 1 and Unit 3.

Unit 1 – Understanding the Principles and Practices of Assessment

This unit is all knowledge-based. This covers all of the roles and responsibilities of being an assessor. This is an in-depth unit which is an integral part of the course. As it gives you all the answers. 

Unit 3 – Assess Vocational Skills, Knowledge and Understanding

This is the second part of the course and this is where you will be assessing learners in the learning environment, focusing on their vocational knowledge and understanding. This unit is typically made up of written assignments and face-to-face study. 

Upon completion of the AVRA course, learners will have the knowledge and skills required to assess vocational skills effectively. They will be able to plan and prepare for assessments, carry out assessments, make judgments and decisions based on evidence gathered during the assessment, understand the legal and regulatory requirements for assessment and understand how to assess and provide feedback to learners. 

If you have any questions about the course, please email us at hello@nvqassessor.org.uk and we will be happy to answer any and all questions. 

So you want to become an expert in vocational education? Then you’ll need two different qualifications. The Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (CAVA) and the Level 3 Award in Education and Training (AET). Now we know those are a lot of words and maybe confusing! So let’s go through it together and explain why you should consider completing the AET alongside the CAVA. 

The Level 3 Award in Education and Training (AET) and the Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (CAVA) are two valuable qualifications for individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in education and training. These qualifications are designed to provide individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to teach and assess learners in a variety of settings, including vocational education and training.

CAVA 

The CAVA is specifically designed for individuals who are interested in assessing learners’ vocational achievements. It covers the principles and practices of assessment, including how to design and use assessment methods that are appropriate for the vocational context, and how to provide feedback and support to learners. The CAVA also covers the legal and regulatory requirements that must be met when assessing learners’ vocational achievements. By completing the CAVA course, individuals will be able to assess learners’ vocational achievements accurately and fairly, which is essential for ensuring that learners have the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in their chosen field.

The CAVA course is comprised of 3 Units. 

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

Let’s have a look at the units in a bit more detail.

UNIT 1

The first unit is all theory-based and will give you the knowledge that you need in order to understand all the responsibilities of an Assessor. This is unfortunately one of the biggest units because it covers a lot of detail. 

UNIT 2

The second unit requires you to conduct 2 assessments on 2 separate learners. If you use a training provider like Brooks and Kirk they have a guarantee of access to learners so you don’t have to find them yourself, and it cuts out the middle man. Within this unit, you get to start planning and carrying out real-life assessments. You will be guided through different techniques you can use to assess your learners.

UNIT 3

Within the final unit of the CAVA course, you will be assessing learners in their learning environment. Focusing on their knowledge and understanding. Like Unit 2, in Unit 3 you will be giving the learners some work to complete and then you will assess them on that. 

AET

The AET on the other hand is an introduction to teaching and is suitable for individuals who are new to teaching or those who are considering a career in teaching. It provides a broad understanding of the principles and practices of teaching and learning, including how to plan and deliver effective lessons and how to use a variety of teaching methods to engage learners. The AET also covers the legal and regulatory requirements that must be met when teaching in the United Kingdom.

One of the biggest benefits of the AET course is that it provides a solid foundation in teaching and learning principles. This includes knowledge of different teaching methods, how to plan and deliver effective lessons, and how to create a positive learning environment. By completing the AET course, individuals will be well-equipped to deliver effective and engaging lessons, which will help them to be successful as educators and trainers.

Much like the CAVA the AET has 3 units which you must complete. These are:

• Unit 1 – Understanding Roles, Responsibilities and Relationships in Education and Training
• Unit 4 – Facilitate Learning and Development in Groups
• Unit 5 – Understanding Assessment in Education and Training

UNIT 1

The first unit is entirely knowledge-based. Where you will learn the roles and responsibilities of a teacher in Further Education. 

UNIT 4

Unit 4 requires you to deliver a Micro-Teach session and evaluate your own practice. In this unit, you will gain a better understanding of how you can plan, deliver and evaluate inclusive learning and techniques.

UNIT 5

Finally, in Unit 5, you will look at assessment and how it is used in Education and Training and you will also learn how to include your learners in assessment. As well as what the requirements are for record keeping. Overall being a better teacher and assessor. 

Together, these two qualifications provide a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices of education and training, as well as the skills and knowledge needed to teach and assess learners in a vocational context. By completing these qualifications, individuals will be well-equipped to pursue a career in education and training and will have a competitive edge in the job market.

A benefit of completing both courses is that they provide a recognised qualification. Many employers look for these qualifications when hiring for education and training roles. Having these qualifications can open up more job opportunities and make you stand out from other candidates. Furthermore, these qualifications could lead to better pay or progression opportunities.

In conclusion, The Level 3 Award in Education and Training (AET) and the Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (CAVA) are two valuable qualifications for individuals interested in pursuing a career in education and training. They provide the fundamental knowledge and practical skills for teaching and assessing learners in a vocational context, and will help you to be a competitive candidate in the job market.

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. 

So you want to become an expert in vocational education? Then you’ll need two different qualifications. The Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (CAVA) and the Level 3 Award in Education and Training (AET). Now we know those are a lot of words and maybe confusing! So let’s go through it together and explain why you should consider completing the AET alongside the CAVA. 

The Level 3 Award in Education and Training (AET) and the Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (CAVA) are two valuable qualifications for individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in education and training. These qualifications are designed to provide individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to teach and assess learners in a variety of settings, including vocational education and training.

CAVA 

The CAVA is specifically designed for individuals who are interested in assessing learners’ vocational achievements. It covers the principles and practices of assessment, including how to design and use assessment methods that are appropriate for the vocational context, and how to provide feedback and support to learners. The CAVA also covers the legal and regulatory requirements that must be met when assessing learners’ vocational achievements. By completing the CAVA course, individuals will be able to assess learners’ vocational achievements accurately and fairly, which is essential for ensuring that learners have the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in their chosen field.

The CAVA course is comprised of 3 Units. 

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

Let’s have a look at the units in a bit more detail.

UNIT 1

The first unit is all theory-based and will give you the knowledge that you need in order to understand all the responsibilities of an Assessor. This is unfortunately one of the biggest units because it covers a lot of detail. 

UNIT 2

The second unit requires you to conduct 2 assessments on 2 separate learners. If you use a training provider like Brooks and Kirk they have a guarantee of access to learners so you don’t have to find them yourself, and it cuts out the middle man. Within this unit, you get to start planning and carrying out real-life assessments. You will be guided through different techniques you can use to assess your learners.

UNIT 3

Within the final unit of the CAVA course, you will be assessing learners in their learning environment. Focusing on their knowledge and understanding. Like Unit 2, in Unit 3 you will be giving the learners some work to complete and then you will assess them on that. 

AET

The AET on the other hand is an introduction to teaching and is suitable for individuals who are new to teaching or those who are considering a career in teaching. It provides a broad understanding of the principles and practices of teaching and learning, including how to plan and deliver effective lessons and how to use a variety of teaching methods to engage learners. The AET also covers the legal and regulatory requirements that must be met when teaching in the United Kingdom.

One of the biggest benefits of the AET course is that it provides a solid foundation in teaching and learning principles. This includes knowledge of different teaching methods, how to plan and deliver effective lessons, and how to create a positive learning environment. By completing the AET course, individuals will be well-equipped to deliver effective and engaging lessons, which will help them to be successful as educators and trainers.

Much like the CAVA the AET has 3 units which you must complete. These are:

• Unit 1 – Understanding Roles, Responsibilities and Relationships in Education and Training
• Unit 4 – Facilitate Learning and Development in Groups
• Unit 5 – Understanding Assessment in Education and Training

UNIT 1

The first unit is entirely knowledge-based. Where you will learn the roles and responsibilities of a teacher in Further Education. 

UNIT 4

Unit 4 requires you to deliver a Micro-Teach session and evaluate your own practice. In this unit, you will gain a better understanding of how you can plan, deliver and evaluate inclusive learning and techniques.

UNIT 5

Finally, in Unit 5, you will look at assessment and how it is used in Education and Training and you will also learn how to include your learners in assessment. As well as what the requirements are for record keeping. Overall being a better teacher and assessor. 

Together, these two qualifications provide a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices of education and training, as well as the skills and knowledge needed to teach and assess learners in a vocational context. By completing these qualifications, individuals will be well-equipped to pursue a career in education and training and will have a competitive edge in the job market.

A benefit of completing both courses is that they provide a recognised qualification. Many employers look for these qualifications when hiring for education and training roles. Having these qualifications can open up more job opportunities and make you stand out from other candidates. Furthermore, these qualifications could lead to better pay or progression opportunities.

In conclusion, The Level 3 Award in Education and Training (AET) and the Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (CAVA) are two valuable qualifications for individuals interested in pursuing a career in education and training. They provide the fundamental knowledge and practical skills for teaching and assessing learners in a vocational context, and will help you to be a competitive candidate in the job market.

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. 

We’ve spoken about choosing the right assessor course for you. But we haven’t gone into detail about some of the specific courses. If you’ve read our previous blog and decided that the Level 3 Award in Assessing Competence in A Work Environment (ACWE) is for you, then read on to find out a bit more information! If you’re just wondering what it even is, then don’t worry we’re going to go through it with you. So what is ACWE?

ACWE is all about assessing learners in their work environment. This is really helpful for practical skills like construction, as you can assess them on the site. It’s also great for health and social care workers as again they can assess learners doing a practical task. This course is for people who only plan on assessing learners on the job. The course is comprised 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 all theory-based and will give you the knowledge that you need in order to understand all the responsibilities of an Assessor. This is unfortunately one of the biggest units because it covers a lot of detail. 

Unit 2

The second unit requires you to carry out 2 assessments on 2 separate learners. If you use a training provider like Brooks and Kirk they have a guarantee of access to learners so you don’t have to find them yourself, and it cuts out the middle man. Within this unit, you get to start planning and carrying out real-life assessments. You will be guided through different techniques you can use to assess your learners. 

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 want to assess learners in just their learning environment then you would need a completely different course, which we will get to in another blog! In addition, if you want to assess in both areas, then you again will need a different course. If you have any questions please give us an email at hello@nvqassessor.org.uk and we will be happy to answer any and all questions. 

You may have heard of the IQA qualification. As well as hearing about the assessor qualification or CAVA. You may have heard of both but what exactly are they?

We’re going to go over the difference between the two to help clarify the terms better.

Assessors and Internal Quality Assurers (IQAs) are involved with each learner and their qualifications. They make sure that assessments and activities are to a set standard, and keep track of the learners with records and notes. 

Assessor

In short, an assessor supports and assesses a learner who is working towards a vocational qualification either in a college, workplace or training centre. It’s the assessor’s job to make sure that the learner meets all the occupational standards and procedures to gain their qualification. 

Being an assessor you will have to provide them with goals and record their achievements as well.

As an assessor, you are the learner’s main point of contact, so it’s a good idea to maintain a good relationship with them. 

Internal Quality Assurers (IQAs)

IQAs are the ones who are responsible for making sure operations run smoothly. This involves everything from the learning and studying the apprentice undertakes, all the way through to their final exam. 

An IQA helps with the standardisation process and ensures that everything is carried out in a fair and consistent way. 

The role of an IQA often falls with a supervisor or manager within a training centre.

You may want to think of it like a hierarchy, you have the learners, then the assessors are above them and then on top of the assessors are the IQAs. As they are different roles, the qualifications for both of them will be different.

But what are the different qualifications?

Qualifications?

As you may know, the assessor course that most people complete is the Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement or CAVA. This qualification lets you become a fully qualified assessor, meaning you can assess learners in their workplace and learning environment. 

Whereas IQAs need a more advanced qualification such as the Level 4 IQA Award in the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Process and Practice. 

You can also undertake the Level 4 Certificate in Leading the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice. This is one of the leading qualifications for IQA. 

Our friends over at Brooks and Kirk provide all these courses! If you’re wanting to become an Assessor you can visit their website here. 

Or if you’re wanting to become an IQA then you can also visit their website here.

Stay tuned for the end of the week as we may have a super special surprise for you!

 If you have any questions please give us an email at hello@nvqassessor.org.uk and we will be happy to answer any and all questions. 

You may have noticed that we mention a phrase frequently. This is occupational competence. What does this actually mean? How can you evidence occupational competence as well? If you look at any job posts and they say you need to evidence occupational competence then you need to know about it. So we’re going to take you through what it is and how you can evidence this, as it’s an extremely important part of being an Assessor.

What is Occupational Competence?

Google defines occupational competence as ‘Being sufficient in knowledge and understanding of the occupation. To make sound, valid and quantifiable judgements about a learner’s knowledge, skills and understanding of the task they are being assessed on.’

So this is a lot and can come across as confusing! To simplify it, it basically means that you have sufficient knowledge and understanding in your subject area to know when your learners are completing a task correctly. For example, a hairdresser wouldn’t be occupationally competent to assess health and social care.

How can you evidence that you’re occupationally competent?

Evidencing Occupational Competence

To evidence occupational competence that you have, you need to demonstrate that you have the knowledge and understanding in the area you want to assess. So if you want to become a construction assessor, you need to have sufficient skills and knowledge in that vocation. This can be evidenced in two ways.

Relevant Work Experience

This is one of the best ways you can demonstrate occupational competence. A minimum of two years of work experience in the occupation, doing the same or similar jobs is considered a satisfactory amount of time. Although it is worth checking if your employer is looking for a longer work period. We have seen this before in some job advertisements. Where they want at least 4 or more years of relevant work experience.

Appropriate Vocational Qualifications.

Holding vocational qualifications is also accepted as demonstrating competency. This is because they contain a mix of both theory and practical. A wholly academic qualification doesn’t have this mix. Usually, the qualifications need to be at Level 3 or above. However, this does vary between specifications and employers.

By having both or either you will have demonstrated sufficient knowledge and understanding and prove your occupational competence.  If you have any questions at all about becoming occupationally competent, then you can send us an email at hello@nvgassessor.org.uk and we would be happy to help.