Overview
Are you looking to become an assessor at your place of work? Maybe you work as a teacher, a nurse, an electrical engineer, or a business administrator… it doesn’t matter! As long as you hold the CAVA assessor qualification (Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement) and have experience in the area you wish to assess, this NCFE Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement will allow you to do so.
CAVA (Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement) is an assessor course and qualification that teaches how to monitor and evaluate vocational skills. The CAVA course is competency-based and requires students to provide evidence of real-world monitoring and assessment.
During this CAVA course, you’ll gain in-depth knowledge of exactly what it takes to become an assessor, learning all about the different types of methods, and the importance of quality assurance. You’ll become confident in assessing learners based on a variety of evidence materials, such as portfolios, witness testimony, direct observation, and more. Even better, this is a transferable qualification, so if you’re fully qualified and experienced in several areas, you can assess them all!
After you’ve completed this CAVA Qualification, you’ll be fully qualified to assess vocational competency for a wide range of qualifications such as RQFs, NVQs, and diplomas. You’ll also be able to complete your course in your own time, at your own pace, so it fits perfectly around work and family commitments.
What you'll learn
Those who undertake this unit will have a better understanding of the function of assessment. A key focus of the unit is to involve the learners in the assessment process so they see it as an integral part of their learning experience.
This is a performance unit for anyone who assesses in the work environment using methods such as observations, questions and examining products of work.
The aim of this unit is to assess the trainee Assessor’s performance in assessing vocational skills, knowledge and understanding in environments other than the workplace (eg workshops, classrooms or other training environments), and in any other environment using methods such as assignments, projects, simulations and tests.
Extra info
Awarding Body

NCFE is the leader in vocational and technical learning committed to powering a more intelligent education eco-system. We combine over 170 years of experience with deep insight into what is needed and what works.
From world-class qualifications and content to new assessment methodologies, from innovative technology platforms to partnership opportunities with our network of expert collaborators – NCFE galvanises the education sector to shape the most innovative solutions for individual learning needs. In doing this, we’re working for a fairer education system for all learners to power inclusivity and choice.
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Course Outcome
At the end of this CAVA course, you’ll be awarded a formal certificate of achievement from NCFE, the UK’s leading sector specialist in health, care and education.
This certificate will state you have passed the Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement. Learners who achieve one of these CAVA qualifications could progress to the NCFE Level 4 Award in the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice.
How is this course assessed or examined?
This course is assessed in two ways:
Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs)
Each unit is followed by a tutor-marked assignment (TMA) which will be completed at the end of each module and marked by your tutor.
You will not be required to take an external exam with this course as your portfolio of evidence is internally assessed by us and externally quality assured by the awarding body. The outcomes for each TMA are Achieved or Not Yet Achieved. Your tutor will provide feedback on your work, and should there be any amendments required, they will outline what is needed for you to complete that assignment.
Observation (included)
This course requires two observations. This means that somebody will need to observe you in practice. This could be in a workplace or a voluntary placement. These practical observations are as follows:
- Internal Observation – can be conducted by a qualified person within your placement
- External Observation – will be carried out by an Oxbridge Assessor (we’ll visit you)
We offer one complimentary external observation for this course to any student on the UK mainland, which in addition to the internal observation, is enough to complete the course.
More information about practical observations
Entry requirements
The minimum entry age to study this course is 19.
This qualification is intended for those who assess occupational competence and vocational skills in environments other than the workplace (for example; a classroom, workshop or training environment). There are no other formal entry requirements for this course; however, it is recommended that you have an intermediate ability to read and write English.