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Vivien Davies

VIVA Associates

Training Consultant

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A1 Assessor Award

The A1 Assessor Award formalizes assessment skills for trainers, but freelancers face barriers to entry without access to NVQ candidates. Local colleges are reluctant to partner, raising questions about market viability and return on investment for this certification.
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I have done a lot of ‘assessment’ type activity as a freelance trainer and I thought it was time to formalise my experience by gaining the A1 Assessor award which covers a range of assessment techniques.  I thought this would be good for my CPD and perhaps offer an additional income stream.

However, I am finding almost impossible to get started since to do the award I need to have NVQ candidates, and of course, as a freelance trainer I don’t have access to them.  I have contacted several local colleges to see if I could partner with them and while they are sympathetic they can’t help.  From what I’ve been told I am also wondering if this is an overcrowded market and what the cost/benefit of this investment (should I be able to do it) is going to be.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.  Thanks, Viv

I have done a lot of 'assessment' type activity as a freelance trainer and I thought it was time to formalise my experience by gaining the A1 Assessor award which covers a range of assessment techniques.  I thought this would be good for my CPD and perhaps offer an additional income stream.

However, I am finding almost impossible to get started since to do the award I need to have NVQ candidates, and of course, as a freelance trainer I don't have access to them.  I have contacted several local colleges to see if I could partner with them and while they are sympathetic they can't help.  From what I've been told I am also wondering if this is an overcrowded market and what the cost/benefit of this investment (should I be able to do it) is going to be.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.  Thanks, Viv

4 Responses

  1. Response

    Hi there, rather than trying to link to colleges, why not try smaller and indepenedent training centres. They may be more flexible.

    I deliver the A1 in the North west, and also work as an assessor with a couple of small providers, so am able to deliver the award, and have access to learners??

     

    Andrew

  2. A1

    hi

    I agree with Andrew, I am also freelance and work as an associate with one particular organisation, i agreed with them if I found two candidates, they would put them through NVQ3 and me the A1 at the same time – I have agreed to do it at no cost and they won’t charge me either for putting me through the A1 – so a win win.

    They were actually delighted I offered.

    Siobhan

     

    — Siobhán Mulvenna FCIPD

     

  3. Is it worth being an A1 assessor

    Hi Viv,

    I recently faced the same dilemma as you; you ask if you do actually succeed in jumping through the hoops will it, be worth it? Why not spend a few moments ‘googling’ A1 assessor required and look at the massive return such a search will yield. Good luck in hunting suitable students to get the award in the first place, I feel and share your pain.

    Take care

    Paul

    http://www.paulabbbottassociates.com "delivering training throughout the criminal justice sysytem"

     

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