Workplace Assessors
For assessors who check learners’ skills through real tasks at work.
ONLINE VOCATIONAL ASSESSOR QUALIFICATION
Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (RQF)
Study the Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement with SJA. This CAVA assessor qualification covers workplace competence and vocational skills, knowledge and understanding. Learn online with tutor support, then build a portfolio through genuine assessment with two real learners. The Focus Awards qualification carries 15 credits. Check that you can assess in both settings before enrolling.
Awarding organisationFocus Awards
Qualification number601/6104/8
Study modeFlexible Online Learning + Practical Assessment
DurationFlexible / Self-Paced
Credits15
AssessmentWritten Assignments + Practical Assessment
£285.00
Pay in full: £285.00. Or start with £14.99 and access your course after confirmed payment. Then pay 2 monthly instalments of £100.00 and a final instalment of £70.01. Total: £285.00, interest-free. First invoice issued 30 days after enrolment. Pay within 20 days of each invoice; overdue course access is suspended. Restore registration by paying the overdue instalment plus £25.00.
About This Qualification
The Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement helps you assess learner work in two settings. This vocational assessor qualification is also called CAVA. Study the theory and show your skills in real practice.
What CAVA Covers
- Judge how well a learner does their job in the workplace.
- Assess vocational skills and knowledge in a learning or training setting.
The CAVA qualification covers both areas. ACWE covers workplace assessment. AVRA covers skills and knowledge outside the learner’s workplace. Choose the route that fits your work.
Build Your Assessor Skills
On the CAVA assessor course, learn to plan tasks and choose ways to assess them. Prepare learners and resources, then carry out the assessment.
- Gather work and check it against the required standards.
- Make fair decisions based on the evidence.
- Explain your decision and give clear feedback.
- Keep accurate assessment records.
You must meet the knowledge and practical requirements. Check that you can work with real learners in both settings before you enrol.
What Does a Qualified Assessor Do?
A qualified assessor checks learner evidence against set standards. You plan the assessment, explain what the learner needs to do and choose suitable methods. After reviewing the evidence, you make a decision and explain it through clear feedback. You also keep records that another assessor or quality assurer can follow.
How the Two CAVA Assessment Settings Differ
Workplace assessment checks how a learner performs real job tasks. You may observe their work, review what they produce and ask questions about it. Vocational assessment checks skills and knowledge in a learning or training setting. This may involve practical tasks, written work or other methods allowed by the unit.
The CAVA course covers both settings. Your portfolio must show your own assessment practice with two real learners or candidates. Choose tasks that give you suitable evidence for each practical unit. Your SJA assessment plan explains what to submit and how to organise it.
Plan Your Access Before Enrolling
Speak with your workplace or training provider about the learners you can assess. Check that you can carry out the required tasks and use the relevant records. Ask how to protect learner details when preparing your evidence. Contact SJA if you are unsure whether your setting is suitable.
Gaining CAVA can support a qualified assessor role, but the award does not replace subject expertise. Employers and awarding organisations may set further requirements for the vocational area you assess.
CAVA, TAQA or A1: Which Qualification Do You Need?
TAQA means Training, Assessment and Quality Assurance. It describes a family of qualifications, rather than a single course. CAVA is the Level 3 assessor certificate within that wider family. It covers workplace assessment and vocational assessment in a learning setting. The older A1 and D32/D33 awards are legacy routes. Holding one does not automatically mean you must retrain. Check your employer and awarding organisation requirements.
A Practical Example
A care trainer might observe a learner carrying out a real workplace task and review the records they produce. In a separate training activity, the trainer might assess vocational knowledge through questions or a written task. CAVA develops assessment skills across both contexts. You still need occupational competence in the subject you assess.
Compare Your Assessor Route
Read our guide to choosing ACWE, AVRA, CAVA or IQA and TAQA and quality assurance pathway guide. For care assessment, explore how to become a health and social care assessor.
Who Is This Course For?
The CAVA assessor course suits professionals assessing, or planning to assess, in both occupational and vocational settings.
Vocational Assessors
For assessors who check job-related skills and knowledge in a training setting.
Tutors with Assessment Responsibilities
For tutors who teach or train learners and also assess their work.
Work-Based Learning Professionals
For staff who support learners at work and check their skills.
Training Provider Assessors
For assessors in colleges, training providers and other learning settings.
Industry Professionals Moving into Assessment
For experienced staff who want to assess learners at work and in training.
What You Will Learn
CAVA helps you learn how to assess and show that you can do so in real work. It covers workplace assessment and vocational learning.
Assessment Basics
Learn why we assess learners and the principles and rules you must follow.
Plan Assessment Tasks
Plan tasks to suit learners and the assessment rules. Check where the work will take place.
Assess Skills at Work
Watch learners carry out real job tasks in a real workplace.
Assess Vocational Learning
Design and run tasks that let learners show their job-related skills, knowledge and understanding.
Ways to Gather Evidence
Choose suitable methods to gather evidence of what learners can do.
Make Fair Decisions
Check evidence against the required standard. Use it to make fair decisions.
Give Clear Feedback
Explain your decision and help learners see how to improve.
Keep Clear Records
Record your work and keep learner information safe. Follow confidentiality and data protection rules.
Qualification Structure / Units
CAVA Qualification Structure
The Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement consists of 3 mandatory units, totalling 15 credits and 84 Guided Learning Hours.
| Unit | Unit Reference | Level | Credits | GLH |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Understanding the Principles and Practices of Assessment | D/601/5313 | 3 | 3 | 24 |
| Assess Occupational Competence in the Work Environment | H/601/5314 | 3 | 6 | 30 |
| Assess Vocational Skills, Knowledge and Understanding | F/601/5319 | 3 | 6 | 30 |
| Total | 15 | 84 |
Unit 1 Understanding the Principles and Practices of Assessment
This knowledge unit covers:
- Assessment principles, methods and planning
- Involving learners and making decisions
- Quality assurance and information management
- Relevant legal and good-practice requirements
Assessment: Written essay-style assignments.
Unit 2 Assess Occupational Competence in the Work Environment
Show how you assess occupational competence through genuine workplace activities. This unit requires practical evidence.
You will complete the applicable workplace assessment requirements with your 2 real learners/candidates. Plan suitable methods, design and carry out assessments, and collect evidence. Make decisions, give useful feedback and keep appropriate records.
Unit 3 Assess Vocational Skills, Knowledge and Understanding
Show how you assess vocational skills, knowledge and understanding. This unit requires practical evidence.
As part of SJA’s assessment plan, you will design 2 assessments using 4 different assessment methods from those specified within the qualification unit and complete the required assessment activities with your real learners/candidates.
A detailed assessment plan covering both practical units will be available in your LMS when you start the course.
Entry Requirements
Before you enrol on this Level 3 assessor qualification, check that you can complete the written work and practical tasks. You should:
- Normally be 19 or older.
- Know the subject or job role you plan to assess.
- Have access to 2 real learners or candidates.
- Have a suitable workplace for real assessment tasks.
- Have a suitable setting to assess vocational skills and knowledge.
- Be able to carry out real assessments in both settings.
- Be able to gather learner work and check the evidence.
- Be able to show your own skills as an assessor.
- Have the English and digital skills needed for written tasks and records.
Important Before You Enrol
CAVA contains two practical competence units.
You must therefore have access to 2 suitable real learners/candidates and appropriate assessment opportunities that enable you to demonstrate the required practical assessor competence.
If you are unsure whether your learners or assessment opportunities are suitable, contact SJA Global Academia before enrolling.
How You Will Be Assessed
Build Your Evidence Portfolio
Your portfolio shows what you know and what you can do as an assessor. It may include written tasks, plans, observation records, learner work, feedback, witness evidence and reflective accounts. There is no traditional final exam.
Unit 1: Written Work
Understanding the Principles and Practices of Assessment is assessed through essay-style tasks. Explain what you know about assessment and how it works.
Unit 2: Assess at Work
Assess Occupational Competence in the Work Environment requires real workplace assessment. Work with 2 real learners or candidates. Show how you assess their work and record your own practice.
Unit 3: Assess Vocational Learning
Assess Vocational Skills, Knowledge and Understanding covers your vocational assessment practice. Design 2 assessments using 4 different methods from those listed in the unit. Carry them out, check the work and record your decisions. Give useful feedback and keep suitable records.
Your Main Requirements
| Requirement | CAVA |
|---|---|
| Written work | Essay-style assignments |
| Practical units | 2 |
| Real learners | 2 |
| Workplace assessment | Required |
| Vocational assessment | Required |
| Tasks to design | 2 assessments |
| Methods to use | 4 different methods listed in the unit |
| Learner evidence | Gather and check |
| Decisions | Make and record |
| Feedback | Required |
| Records | Required |
| Confidentiality and data protection | Show how you protect and handle learner details |
| Simulated learners | Not accepted as a substitute by SJA |
| Final exam | No |
How Online Learning Works
The CAVA course online combines online study with real assessor practice. Fit the theory and portfolio work around your work and home life.
Your assessor course online gives you access to:
- Course materials and study resources.
- Guidance for each unit.
- Written task instructions.
- Help with workplace assessment.
- Help with vocational assessment.
- Portfolio and evidence guidance.
- Detailed plans for both practical units.
There are no regular compulsory online classes. Work through the materials at your own pace. Ask your tutor or assessor for help when you need it.
Online Study and Real Practice
You can study the theory online. You must also carry out real assessment tasks with 2 real learners or candidates. Your evidence must meet the rules for both practical units.
Tutor Support
Get help with your Level 3 assessor qualification as you study online.
Course Guidance
Get help to understand all three units and the evidence you need.
Written Assignment Support
Ask for guidance on the essay-style tasks in your knowledge unit.
Workplace Assessment Guidance
Get help to plan and carry out real assessments at work.
Vocational Assessment Guidance
Get help to design your two assessments using four methods from the unit.
Portfolio and Evidence Support
Learn how to organise your written work and practical evidence.
Email, WhatsApp and Tutorials
Ask for help by email or WhatsApp. Request a tutorial when you need more guidance.
Certification & Recognition
Checks Before Your Certificate
Your assessor checks your work first. An Internal Quality Assurer (IQA) then reviews the assessment. External Quality Assurance (EQA) and approval by the awarding organisation apply where required.
Submit any further evidence requested during these checks. All checks and award requirements must be met.
Certificate Delivery
Certification usually takes 3–5 weeks after formal completion and assessor confirmation. This is an estimate.
You receive an electronic certificate (e-certificate) for the Focus Awards Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (RQF).
A printed copy costs an extra £7 plus postage or courier charges. You pay delivery costs for UK and overseas addresses.
Career Opportunities
This vocational assessor qualification can support a qualified assessor role. You also need skills and experience in the subject you assess. Check the employer’s and awarding organisation’s rules.
Vocational Assessor
Check learners’ skills and knowledge against the course standards.
Workplace Assessor
Assess learners as they carry out real job tasks.
Tutor-Assessor
Teach or train learners and assess their work.
Work-Based Learning Assessor
Support learners at work and check their skills.
Training Provider Assessor
Assess learners in colleges, training providers and other learning settings.
Learning and Development Professional
Use assessment skills to help staff learn and develop at work.
Why Choose SJA?
Comprehensive Assessor Qualification
Develop competence across both workplace occupational assessment and vocational skills, knowledge and understanding assessment.
Flexible CAVA Course Online
Study the knowledge elements around your existing work and personal commitments through flexible online learning.
Clear Practical Requirements
Know before enrolling that you need 2 real learners/candidates and suitable opportunities to complete both practical assessment units.
Detailed Assessment Plans
Receive structured LMS guidance explaining the evidence and practical requirements for both competence units.
Tutor and Assessor Support
Access professional support through email, WhatsApp and one-to-one tutorials when required.
Affordable and Accessible Learning
Benefit from flexible payment options and accessible online study designed to support your professional development.
Affordable • Accessible • Extraordinary.
Frequently Asked Questions
CAVA stands for the Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement. This Level 3 CAVA assessor course covers assessment of occupational competence at work and vocational skills, knowledge and understanding in a learning or training setting. It combines a knowledge unit with two practical units. You need genuine assessment opportunities with two real learners and occupational competence in the subject you assess.
Yes. You must have access to 2 real learners/candidates so that you can complete the required practical assessment activities and demonstrate your own assessor competence.
No. SJA requires practical assessor evidence involving 2 real learners/candidates. Simulated learners/candidates are not accepted as a substitute for the required real assessment practice.
You will complete practical evidence for both competence units.
This includes assessing occupational competence in the workplace and assessing vocational skills, knowledge and understanding.
For the vocational assessment component, you will design 2 assessments using 4 different assessment methods from those specified within the qualification unit.
A detailed assessment plan will be available in your LMS when you start the course.
The knowledge, learning materials and portfolio-support elements can be completed through the CAVA course online.
However, CAVA is a practical assessor qualification, so you must also complete genuine assessment activities with your real learners/candidates.
The CAVA qualification is commonly regarded as the current successor to the former A1 Assessor Award and earlier D32/D33 assessor qualifications. It develops knowledge and demonstrated competence in both workplace and vocational assessment. If you already hold an older assessor qualification, acceptance will depend on your employer, awarding organisation and the requirements of your current role.
The CAVA qualification develops the assessment knowledge and practical competence commonly required of workplace and vocational assessors. To assess a particular NVQ or vocational qualification, you must also have appropriate occupational competence and meet the requirements of the employer, centre and relevant awarding organisation.
The CAVA qualification cost at SJA is £285. You can pay in full or use the interest-free instalment option shown at the top of this page. Starting with £14.99 is an initial payment towards the total course fee, not the full price. Check the displayed payment schedule and certificate options before enrolling.
Ready to Become a Qualified Vocational and Workplace Assessor?
Develop assessor knowledge and practical competence through the Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement. Study flexibly online with tutor and assessor support. You must have two real learners or candidates and suitable workplace and vocational assessment opportunities. Check your access before you enrol on SJA’s CAVA assessor course.