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The TQUK Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (RQF) is the CAVA qualification for becoming a vocational assessor of NVQs, diplomas and apprenticeships. It costs £69.99 a month after a 7-day free trial (or £713.99 for the year), typically takes 4 to 8 months at 6 to 8 hours a week, and is Ofqual regulated. You study online with a named UK tutor and are assessed on your real practice: at least two assessments of two learners in a workplace and in a training or classroom setting, with no exams. You need to be 18 or over and occupationally competent in the area you will assess.
| Qualification | TQUK Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (RQF) |
|---|---|
| Level | Level 3 |
| Awarding body | TQUK (Training Qualifications UK) |
| Qualification number | 601/2389/8 |
| Exams | Portfolio of evidence, no exams |
| Price | £69.99 a month, or £713.99 in total |
| Typical duration | 4 to 8 months |
| Age | 18 or over |
| Who it suits | Are occupationally competent in a trade or profession and want to assess NVQs, diplomas or apprenticeships |
Assessors and vocational trainers are grouped together by the Office for National Statistics. The spread is wide because it covers industry as well as education, so the middle half of the range is shown, not just the median.
SOC 3574 is the closest code for workplace assessors and trainers; it also includes trainers in industry, so the spread is wide. Print the 25th to 75th percentile, not just the median.
| Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning (RQF) | classroom support, 12 hours a week in school |
| Level 3 Diploma in Supporting Teaching and Learning (RQF) | deepen practice |
| Level 4 HLTA Certificate (Higher Level Teaching Assistant) (RQF) | lead classes, higher pay band |
| Level 5 Diploma in Teaching (Further Education) (RQF) | teach post-16 |
| Level 3 Assessor Certificate (CAVA) (RQF) | assessor branch |
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This unit should be assessed in a real work environment. Simulations are not allowed. There must be evidence of the trainee assessor carrying out at least two assessments of two learners.
CAVA is a qualification in its own right and the usual first step for practitioners who go on to teach post-16.
15 credits from 3 mandatory units.
There are no exams. This Ofqual-regulated TQUK certificate is a portfolio: assignments for the principles unit, and observed assessment practice with two learners for the practice units. Simulation is not allowed. It is quality assured by TQUK. Grading is pass only.
Portfolio: assignments and questions for the principles unit; observed assessment practice with two learners for the two practice units, covering observation, product evidence and questioning, plus three methods from the vocational skills list. Internally marked, externally quality assured by TQUK.
Work through the unit online with your named UK tutor.
Observation, witness statements, work products and reflective accounts from your real workplace.
Marked in 5 to 7 working days. Pass or refer. Resubmit until every criterion is met. Your certificate comes from TQUK.
Yes. You study this Ofqual-regulated TQUK certificate online with a named UK tutor. You still assess real learners in a workplace or training centre, because simulation is not allowed. There are no exams. The certificate comes from Training Qualifications UK.
Training Qualifications UK issues the certificate. Lift College teaches the course and TQUK awards it.
TQUK's stated goal: Be number one in technical education
certificates issued since 2013
qualifications across more than 20 sectors
employers use TQUK for apprenticeship assessment
Figures from tquk.org, September 2026. TQUK, Crossgate House, Sale, Manchester. Recognised by Ofqual, the qualifications regulator for England.
TQUK approves the centre, the tutors who assess you and the way the course is delivered before a single learner is registered.
An external quality assurer from TQUK samples assessed work from Lift College learners. Your result stands because TQUK has agreed it, not just your tutor.
Your certificate is printed by TQUK with a unique number. Any employer or university can confirm it is real on TQUK's certificate verification service. TQUK certificate verification
The same UK tutor supports you from enrolment through to your certificate.
Marked in 5 to 7 working days.
Your dashboard shows what you have completed and what comes next.
If a unit is referred, you resubmit at no extra cost until every criterion is met.
One price for the full course, with every fee included. Try it free for 7 days, or start now and every payment is 15% lower for life.
Full access for 7 days. Your first payment is on day 8, and you can cancel any time before then from your account.
£69.99/month from day 8
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£69.99£59.49/month, for life
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FatimaLevel 3 Diploma in Adult Care (RQF)CAVA is the TQUK Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement, the assessor qualification awarding organisations expect their centres' assessors to hold. This Ofqual-regulated TQUK certificate is 15 credits. You study online with a named UK tutor and evidence assessment practice with real learners.
Yes. You need access to at least two learners. Two of the three units are assessed on real practice, with at least two assessments of two learners, and simulation is not allowed. Arrange the learners before you enrol on this Ofqual-regulated TQUK certificate.
No. CAVA replaced the A1 and A2 assessor awards. TAQA is the collective name for the assessor and quality assurance qualifications, and CAVA is the assessor certificate within it. This Ofqual-regulated TQUK certificate is what most awarding organisations ask their centres' assessors to hold. The full suite is set out in our TAQA vs CAVA guide.
No. Portfolio: assignments and questions for the principles unit; observed assessment practice with two learners for the two practice units, covering observation, product evidence and questioning, plus three methods from the vocational skills list. Internally marked, externally quality assured by TQUK. Grading is Pass only, no grading.
One price covers the full course with every fee included: a named UK tutor, marking in 5 to 7 working days, AI Study Support, and your TQUK certificate. There is nothing extra to pay.
You need to be 18 or over. Level 2 literacy or numeracy or equivalent recommended. Occupational competence in the area you will assess. Access to at least two learners to assess. Your setting may require you to be 18 for an enhanced DBS check or lone working.
The next teaching step is the Level 5 Diploma in Teaching (Further Education and Skills).
Training Qualifications UK (TQUK) issues the certificate. Lift College is a TQUK recognised centre.
No. You need to be 18 or over, occupationally competent in the area you will assess, and have access to at least two learners. Level 2 literacy or numeracy or equivalent is recommended. Many assessors go on to the Level 5 Diploma in Teaching later, but it is not required first.
You can assess vocational learners in the workplace, including NVQs, diplomas and apprenticeships, once you are occupationally competent in that area. This Ofqual-regulated TQUK certificate covers real work and a training or classroom setting. It is not the smaller award for classroom knowledge only.
Yes. You study this Ofqual-regulated TQUK certificate online with a named UK tutor. You still evidence assessment practice with real learners in a workplace or training centre, because simulation is not allowed. There are no exams. The certificate comes from TQUK.
This is the TQUK Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement, the qualification for people who assess vocational learners in the workplace.
4 to 8 months at 6 to 8 hours a week
The default is a free 7-day trial with your first payment on day 8. If you would rather start now, you pay today instead and every payment is 15% lower for as long as you study. Your 14-day money-back guarantee still applies: change your mind for any reason within 14 days and we refund the full payment.
An enhanced DBS check is normally arranged by your employer or placement setting. Your setting may require you to be 18 for an enhanced DBS check or lone working.
Yes. Annual billing saves 15%: £713.99 for the year instead of £69.99 a month. The 7-day free trial and 14-day money back apply either way.
£69.99 a month after a 7-day free trial, or £713.99 for the year, with tutor, TQUK registration and certificate included. No contract, no credit check, and a 14-day money back guarantee on every payment.
The CAVA certificate covers assessing in a real work environment and in a training or classroom setting, which is what most assessor roles for NVQs and apprenticeships ask for. The Award in Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement is the smaller qualification for assessing knowledge in a classroom or training setting only. If that is all you will assess, the Award is enough; if you will also assess practice in the workplace, take the CAVA.
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