OAL Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocational Achievement
The OAL Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocational Achievement is a nationally recognised qualification designed for individuals who assess vocational skills, knowledge, and understanding in both classroom and workplace environments. It is ideal for those who are, or aim to become, qualified assessors responsible for evaluating learner competence across a range of vocational qualifications and training programmes.
This award reflects the professional standards set out for assessors in the UK and is fully regulated by Ofqual, making it a credible and essential qualification for those working in further education, training providers, apprenticeships, and workplace learning settings.
The OAL Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocational Achievement is a competence-based qualification that enables individuals to gain the skills and knowledge required to assess learners’ performance accurately and fairly against industry and qualification standards.
This qualification is suitable for professionals working in sectors such as construction, health and social care, engineering, education, beauty, and more. It is also a requirement for many roles within awarding bodies and training centres. Upon successful completion, learners are recognised as fully qualified assessors, enabling them to assess vocational qualifications in their area of expertise.
Although there are no strict academic prerequisites for this qualification, the following entry requirements must be met to ensure learners can successfully complete the course:
- Minimum Age: Learners must be 19 years of age or older at the time of registration. This qualification is not approved for learners under the age of 19.
- Educational Background: While no formal qualifications are required, learners should possess basic literacy, numeracy, and ICT skills to understand course content and complete written assessments.
- Occupational Experience:
- Learners must have subject-specific competence in the vocational area they intend to assess.
- Ideally, learners should be working in, or have access to, a real work or training environment where they can carry out assessments.
- English Language Proficiency:
- Learners should have a good command of English, typically at CEFR Level B1 or above (or equivalent), to engage with course materials and complete written and verbal assessments effectively.
- Capacity and Opportunity to Achieve:
- Centres must confirm that each learner has the potential, commitment, and access to appropriate learners or assessment environments necessary to generate valid evidence for assessment.
To achieve OAL Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocational Achievement qualification, learners are required to complete the mandatory unit and one optional unit from the available group. The qualification comprises a total of 9 credits, with 90 Total Qualification Time (TQT) and 54 Guided Learning Hours (GLH).
Mandatory Units
| Sr# | Unit Title | Level | Credits | GLH |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Understanding the principles and practices of assessment | 3 | 3 | 24 |
Optional Units
| Sr# | Unit Title | Level | Credits | GLH |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Assess occupational competence in the work environment | 3 | 6 | 30 |
| 2 | Assess vocational skills, knowledge and understanding | 3 | 6 | 30 |
Learning outcomes for OAL Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocational Achievement
1. Understanding the Principles and Practices of Assessment
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the function and purpose of assessment in learning and development.
- Identify different types and methods of assessment and when to apply them.
- Understand the principles of validity, reliability, authenticity, and sufficiency in assessment.
- Recognise legal and good practice requirements in relation to assessment.
- Explain how to involve learners and others in the assessment process.
- Understand how to provide constructive feedback and support learner development.
- Understand quality assurance and standardisation in the context of assessment.
2. Assess Occupational Competence in the Work Environment
Learning Outcomes:
- Prepare for the assessment of occupational competence in real work environments.
- Carry out assessments using appropriate methods such as observation, questioning, and review of work products.
- Make valid and reliable assessment decisions based on evidence of performance.
- Record assessment decisions accurately and in line with organisational requirements.
- Provide clear and constructive feedback to learners.
- Follow relevant legal, ethical, and health and safety practices throughout the assessment process.
3. Assess Vocational Skills, Knowledge, and Understanding
Learning Outcomes:
- Plan assessments for vocational skills, knowledge, and understanding using suitable methods.
- Use a range of assessment techniques such as tests, assignments, oral questioning, and discussions.
- Ensure the assessment environment supports fair and inclusive assessment practices.
- Make sound and consistent assessment decisions based on set criteria.
- Provide feedback that promotes learner progress.
- Maintain accurate assessment records in accordance with regulatory and organisational requirements
The OAL Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocational Achievement is designed for individuals who are involved in, or preparing to become involved in, the assessment of learners’ performance in both work-based and classroom environments. It is suitable for professionals across a wide range of sectors who need a formal qualification to carry out assessments as part of their job role.
This course is particularly suitable for:
- Trainers, coaches, or mentors looking to assess apprentices, trainees, or learners in vocational settings
- Experienced professionals who want to become qualified assessors for NVQs, diplomas, or other regulated qualifications
- Workplace supervisors or team leaders responsible for evaluating employee competence
- Teachers or lecturers in further education who assess students’ vocational skills and knowledge
- Industry specialists who want to contribute to the training and development of future professionals in their field
This qualification is relevant for anyone working in sectors such as construction, health and social care, hair and beauty, engineering, hospitality, education, and more. It is also ideal for those who need to meet the assessor requirements set by awarding bodies or regulatory frameworks.
Register Now
FAQs for OAL Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocational Achievement
