ENTO Direct - D32 to A1 Award

CPD and A1 Accreditation for D32/33 Assessors

What is the aim of the Award?

The A1 Award has been recognised for assessors of vocational qualifications since June 2002. QCA stipulate that “all those with D32/D33 must demonstrate good practice of continuing professional development and should ensure that they are familiar with the requirements of the A1 Award”. ENTO, the standard setting body, are of the view that one way of demonstrating continuous professional development as required by QCA is for all those with D32/D33 to undertake accreditation of the A1 Award.

One of the barriers to up-skilling has been the lack of practically based learning programmes that guarantee achievement, until now...

ENTO Direct has used the knowledge and expertise of ENTO (who wrote and are are contracted by Lifelong Learning UK to manage the A1 Award) in developing this learning programme. It is driven by the activities of the A1 learner, capitalising on the genuine opportunities they have to demonstrate competence and knowledge. The programme is of high quality, is efficient and effective, guaranteeing 100% achievement rates of the A1.

This learning programme will build on your existing practice to develop your skills, techniques and abilities to assess NVQs* holistically and efficiently, minimising bureaucracy and maximising your learner’s achievement.

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Are there entry requirements?

You will need to meet the occupational competence required by the NVQ Assessment Strategy for the NVQ you are assessing. You will need to be working with at least 2 learners and participate fully in the internal quality assurance process within your Centre. A Learner Agreement and an initial assessment will be undertaken before you enter the Award. Please click here for details of our entry requirements.

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How will I achieve the Award and how is it delivered?

The Award will be delivered in a number of ways, including a workshop and self-study, and is outlined below:

Regulatory factors and organisations influencing NVQ assessment and delivery
The role of the A1 Assess or; context and responsibilities
Effective holistic assessment; planning, assessing and judging candidates
Effective feedback; its place within the assess/learn/assess cycle
Quality assurance processes; the assessor’s role and responsibilities

You will then have the opportunity to put into practice all you have learnt.

The assessment plan for the A1 will be agreed with each individual by the ENTO Direct Assessor, who will provide ongoing one to one support throughout the development process and through to achievement.

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Finally:

A visit, by the ENTO Direct Assessor, will be undertaken at the place of work where you conduct assessments to undertake professional discussion and observation of the assessment process.

Providing all competences are met the ENTO Direct Assessor will apply for certification from the Awarding Body.

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What does the A1 Award give me and what are the benefits of achieving A1?

On successful completion you will have achieved the Certificate in Assessing Candidates Using a Range of Methods (A1 – Vocational Assessor Award).

The benefits of undertaking the Award are as follows:

A1: The Vocational Assessors Award supp orts compliance with current regulatory demands for assessor qualifications;
Enhances progression to the Learning and Development Certificate and NVQ Awards;
Demonstrates a level of competence and professionalism in NVQ Assessment; and
Proves ongoing and relevant Continuous Professional Development (CPD) as a practicing assessor.

In addition to the Award being a qualification in its own right the A1 Award enables you to progress to further qualifications. It is also an optional unit towards NVQ Level 3 and 4 in Learning and Development and NVQ Level 3 in Direct Training and Support. For further information on the extension of this programme to cover the Certificate Award in the Review and Assessment of Learning (A1, G3 and L16), please contact ENTO Direct.

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