What is an Assessor?

The next step after becoming a qualified Facilitator is the Assessor Course. An Assessor is responsible for determining whether learners are competent in meeting the outcomes of a training event presented by a Facilitator as set out by the South African Quality Authority (SAQA) and the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). The outcomes and criteria may be defined in a range of documents which may include unit standards, exit level outcomes, assessment standards, curriculum statements, and qualifications. In order to assess learners, you have to be a qualified Assessor and registered against the unit standard you are assessing with the relevant Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA). A Facilitator and an Assessor can be the same person and this is usually the requirement of training institutions.

Purpose of the Course

This course will assist those wishing to take up a position as either a full-time or part-time training instructor. On completion of this course, you will be recognised as a Training Assessor which will give you the opportunity to register with the various SETAs depending on your area of expertise. The more educational background you have through formal qualifications the more SETAs you will be able to register with and the more employable you will become in the training sector.

On completion of the Assessor course you will be able to perform the following functions:

• Demonstrate understanding of outcomes-based assessment – You will learn both the advantages and disadvantages of outcomes-based assessments and other forms of assessments together with the correct approaches in using them when conducting assessments in different situations. The key principles of assessment are discussed and highlight the importance of applying these principles to the assessment process and the results. Registered Prior Learning (RPL) is introduced and how it could benefit learning, the challenges it creates, and the impact of RPL on learners. 
• Preparing for assessments – Assessments are not simply having learners write the same test over and over. With assessments comes a lot of organising and planning which includes preparing assessment resources, documentation, and the environment needs to ensure that the assessment is fair and safe. All parties involved need to be notified in good time. Assessors must also ensure that pre-assessment moderation requirements are carried out in accordance with assessment policies, moderation plans, and the Education and Training Quality Assurance (ETQA) requirements. Assessors must also ensure that learners are ready and prepared for assessment.
• Conducting the assessment – Assessments must promote effective, manageable, fair, and safe practices that are in line with quality assurance requirements. Assessments must be undertaken in line with the assessment plan and any unforeseen circumstances or learner special needs must be addressed without compromising the validity or fairness of the assessment. You will learn about questioning techniques that are non-leading and appropriate in order to gather sufficient evidence to enable valid, consistent, reliable, and fair assessment judgment to be made. It is also important to remember that assessment records should meet quality assurance requirements to make accurate judgments, give constructive feedback, support moderation, and address any possible appeals that may be lodged.
• Provide assessment feedback – Accurate and constructive feedback must be given to all parties in accordance with confidentiality requirements. The feedback must be clear and focused on strengths and weaknesses in performance and should assist decisions such as awarding the course credits, guiding learners to further learning, or re-assessment.
• Reviewing the assessment – The review is important as it identifies strengths and weaknesses in the assessment process and could assist in redesigning assessments. It is important to review the feedback of all parties to ensure that the fairness of the assessment has not been compromised.

How will this course benefit your Professional Development?

This course will teach you how to be an efficient and effective Assessor in your area of expertise. An Assessor carries immense responsibility and it is for this reason that registration/s with the SETAs are required. No one is allowed to assess learners against training courses accredited by SAQA unless they are registered against the unit standards they intend to assess with the relevant SETA.

By completing this course you will become a professional and sought after individual in the training sector depending on your educational background.

What happens after I have completed the Assessor Course?

On completion of the course, you will be uploaded against Unit Standard 115753 with the ETDP SETA. Following this, you will be a qualified Assessor and will be able to assess learners as per your area of expertise. You will have to register as an Assessor with the relevant SETAs based on your areas of expertise.

The next step after becoming a qualified Assessor would be to complete your Moderator course which is the final step in quality assurance of training events.

By completing the Assessor course with Access Professional Development will assist you with your Assessor registrations with up to 3 SETAs,

FREE OF CHARGE!