Internal Quality Assurance

The world of education and training is full of acronyms and abbreviations that can be confusing to navigate. Two such terms are IQA Award and Lead IQA qualification. While these two terms may sound similar, they actually refer to two distinct roles within the quality assurance process.

IQA AWARD

The IQA Award, or Internal Quality Assurance Award, is a Level 4 qualification that is designed to train individuals to carry out quality assurance of assessment. This means that individuals who hold this qualification are responsible for ensuring that the assessment process is fair, valid, reliable, and consistent. They review the assessment process, including the assessment tools and the assessment decisions, to ensure that they meet the required standards.

The IQA Award is a standalone qualification, which means that it can be taken on its own. It is often taken by individuals who are already working in the education and training sector, particularly those who are involved in the assessment of learners. It is also suitable for those who are responsible for the quality assurance of assessment, such as internal verifiers, assessors, and trainers.

LEAD IQA

The Lead IQA qualification, on the other hand, is a Level 4 qualification that is designed to train individuals to lead the internal quality assurance process. This means that individuals who hold this qualification are responsible for managing and coordinating the quality assurance process, as well as for ensuring that the process is effective and efficient. They may also be responsible for managing a team of internal quality assurers.

The Lead IQA qualification builds on the IQA Award, so individuals who hold this qualification will also have the knowledge and skills required to carry out quality assurance of assessment. However, they will have additional knowledge and skills related to leadership, management, and coordination of the quality assurance process.

The Lead IQA qualification is often taken by individuals who are responsible for managing the internal quality assurance process within an organisation. This may include quality assurance managers, training managers, or heads of departments. It is also suitable for those who are looking to progress their careers within the education and training sector.

WHICH ONE IS FOR YOU?

So, which qualification is right for you? Ultimately, this will depend on your level of experience, your career aspirations, and the specific requirements of the role that you are interested in. If you are new to the field of quality assurance and are looking to start a career in this area, then the IQA Award may be the best option for you. 

If you have significant experience in the field of quality assurance and are looking to progress to more senior roles within this field, then the Lead IQA qualification may be the better option for you.

Overall, both the IQA Award and the Lead IQA qualification have their own unique benefits and are suited to different levels of experience and career aspirations. By carefully considering your own experience and career goals, you can determine which qualification is right for you and take the next step in your professional development in the field of quality assurance.

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. 

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.