The NVQ Assessor and Verifier Handbook

Jenny Tucker was a Senior Lecturer in Training and Development at Sheffield College and is currently an independent consultant. Much of her experience comes from being an external verifier, working in NVQ centres and from assessment projects in Poland, Lithuania and Eire. Ros Ollin is a Principal Lecturer in Post-Compulsory Education and Training at the University of Huddersfield.

PART 1 KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS Introduction: The Background to NVQs and to the Assessor and Verifier Awards Background to NVQs Key features of NVQs Key Skills Modern Apprenticeships, Technical Certificates and Craft Certificates Objections to NVQs 1 The Organizations Involved in the Development and Delivery of National Standards The regulatory authorities and the Learning and Skills Council Role of NTOs and awarding bodies in the development of national standards and NVQs Choosing an awarding body Accredited centres Summary 2 Assessment: Procedures, Knowledge and Skills to Perform the Roles Types of assessment Methods of assessment Summary 3 The processes Involved in Assessing NVQs and Short/Mini-awards Assessment as part of the training cycle The NVQ assessment process Summary 4 The People: Key Roles in the NVQ Assessment Process Assessment systems Key roles in assessment and verification Roles and responsibilities of participants in the process Skills with people Occupational competence and continuous professional development Summary PART 2 THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARDS Introduction: Assessment and Verification in Practice: How to Use the Step-by-Step Guides The standards A1 and A2 V1 5 Guide to Unit A1: Assess Candidates Using a Range of Methods A1.1: Develop plans for assessing competence with candidates A1.2: Judge evidence against criteria to make assessment decisions A1.3: Provide feedback and support to candidates on assessment decisions A1.4: Contribute to the internal quality assurance process 6 Guide to Unit A2: Assess Candidates' Performance through Observation A2.1: Agree and review plans for assessing candidates' performance A2.2: Assess candidates' performance against the agreed standards A2.3: Assess candidates' knowledge against the agreed standards A2.4: Make an assessment decision and provide feedback 7 Guide to Unit V1: Conduct Internal Quality Assurance of the Assessment Process V1.1: Carry out and evaluate internal assessment and quality assurance systems V1.2: Support assessors V1.3: Monitor the quality of assessor performance V1.4: Carry out and evaluate internal assessment and quality assurance 8 Guide to Unit V2: Conduct External Quality Assurance of the Assessment Process V2.1: Monitor the internal quality assurance process V2.2: Verify the quality of assessment V2.3: Provide information, advice and support on the internal quality assurance of assessment processes V2.4: Evaluate the effectiveness of external quality assurance of the assessment process PART 3 GETTING YOUR AWARD Introduction: A Guide for A1, A2 and V1 Candidate-assessors and Candidate-verifiers 9 Preparing and Planning for Assessment Induction Looking at your own work context Three methods of demonstrating competence Being questioned Specifications, sources of and purposes of evidence Your assessment plan The next step Summary 10 Tips for a Stress-free Process for Demonstrating Your Competence Process The portfolio Paperless portfolios Saving your time Accessibility and legibility Formats for presentation for summative evidence Ensuring that your evidence covers the standards Quality assurance of your evidence A final word Summary Appendix 1: Qualification Structures for S/NVQs in Learning and Development Appendix 2: The NVQ Code of Practice Tariff of Sanctions Appendix 3: Learning and Development Assessment Strategy Appendix 4: Frequently asked questions from the Employment National Training Organisation Web site Appendix 5: Certificate Awards in Learning and Development Appendix 6: Employment National Training Organisation Learning and Development Catalogue