NVQ assessors work with candidates to help them achieve the occupational standards or competences,that areneeded to gain National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs).

THE JOB!
An assessor will first of all identify the level that a new NVQ candidate is aleady at - in terms of what they know, and waht they are able to do. The NVQ assessor will then agree an action plan with the candidate which will enable them to develop any additional skills or competences that are required to achieve the NVQ award. Assessors also provide support to candidates as they work through their action plans.

The role of an NVQ Assessor includes:

- Vists to see candidates in their own workplaces, in order to observe and record their work performance
- Asking questions to candidates on a 1-1 basis in order to assess the 'underpinning knowledge' that they have
- Examining and evaluating the candidates' portfolios of evidence that they are required to collate
- Providing candidates with detailed feedback after an assessment
- Reecording the candidates' performance and then signing off units as they are completed by them
- Putting together records to be sent to the NVQ awarding bodies.

Employment for NVQ Assessors can take various forms:
- Self-employed
- Full Time (employed)
- Part Time (employed)

Some NVQ Assessors perform their NVQ Assessing duties as part of a wider teaching, training or management role.

NVQ Assessors generally work with candidates in FE colleges, private training organisations or as in-house assessors working in large organisations.

To be able to meet with the needs of candidates / learners, NVQ Assessors need to be flexible regarding their working hours and also to be willing to travel to different workplaces.

Salaries:
For employed assessors, the salaries range is approx from around £16,000 up to about £30,000 a year. Self Employed NVQ Assessors generally work on the basis of an hourly rate.

NVQ assessors are required to:

* Possess recent experience in the occupational area they are assessing (i.e. PMO, Health and Social Care, Business Admin, Retail etc)
* Have excellent speaking, listening and written skills
* Give encouragement, and be able to motivate candidates
* Have a passion for working with people

Depending on where they assess, NVQ ssessors must gain either an A1 Award (Certificate in Assessing Candidates using a Range of Methods) or A2 Award (Certificate in Assessing Candidates' Performance through Observation).
This Training is provided by many colleges and training organisations in the UK. To achieve these 'in-service' qualifications, applicants must be involved in the assessment of 2 NVQ candidates.

Progression
An experienced NVQ Assessor can train to become an internal verifier (IV) or external verifier (EV).