What is this qualification?
The Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (CAVA) is the complete assessor qualification. It covers the principles and practices of assessment, assessing occupational competence in the work environment, and assessing vocational skills, knowledge and understanding.
It is the route most employers and training providers ask for when they want an assessor who can work across both workplace and classroom settings.
Why study with us
The full assessor route
Covers both workplace competence and vocational knowledge assessment, so you are not limited to one setting.
Assessor and tutor support
Named support, marked feedback and resubmission where a criterion has not yet been met.
Study online, around your job
All learning, submission and feedback happen online at your own pace.
Quality assured certification
Your decisions are sampled through internal quality assurance before the claim is made to Focus Awards.
What you'll be able to do
Understand assessment
- Explain the principles, purposes and types of assessment
- Apply the key concepts of validity, reliability, fairness and sufficiency
- Understand your responsibilities in quality assurance
Assess in the workplace
- Plan and carry out observation of occupational competence
- Use professional discussion and witness testimony
- Judge evidence against the standard
Assess skills, knowledge and understanding
- Assess through assignments, projects, tests and questioning
- Use assessment in classroom and workshop settings
- Give feedback learners can act on
Where this takes you
Career opportunities
- Work as an assessor for a college, training provider or employer
- Assess apprenticeship, vocational and technical programmes
- Move into a wider curriculum or quality role
Next steps for your learning
- Move into internal quality assurance
- Take a teaching qualification such as the Level 3 Award in Education and Training
- Progress to the Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training
- Carry out assessments for a training provider as part of funded education
What you'll gain
Ofqual regulated
A Focus Awards qualification that is recognised across the sector and formally listed.
Progress your FE career
Evidence the specialist knowledge that colleges, ITPs and training providers actively look for when recruiting and promoting.
Practical, applied learning
Work through 4 focused units totalling 15 credits, applied directly to your day-to-day FE practice.
Credits
15
Guided learning
84 hrs
Total time
150 hrs
Level
Level 3
Live workshops
4 included
Reference
601/6104/8
Awarding body
Focus Awards
How WorkplaceHero delivers
100% online, at your pace
Access your course anytime through our learner portal - study around teaching, assessing and family life.
Live workshops included
Includes 4 live online workshops with your tutor - book in, ask questions, and learn alongside other professionals. There are four taught sessions as part of this qualification, accompanied by an online learning library via 'My Learning' in your account. We will share the final timetable with participants two weeks before the first day of learning.
Expert tutor and IQA support
Dedicated assessors and full Internal Quality Assurance oversight on every submission.
Recognised certification on completion
Your Focus Awards certificate is issued once you complete and pass all required units.
Units you'll study
4 unitsEntry requirements
Please check you meet these before applying.
- Assessment - You will be assessed using a range of methods, including assignments, work product and testimony.
Check this qualification independently on the Focus Awards / Ofqual register.
Open the official register →Upcoming cohorts
Ways to pay
Four ways to cover the fee
Pay in full by card
£399.00 inc. VAT, paid securely at checkout once your application is approved.
Spread the cost with Klarna
See your exact instalments next to the price at the top of this page.
Choose Klarna at checkout to split the fee into interest-free instalments, or apply for a longer plan where Klarna offers one. Klarna decides what you're offered, and longer plans may carry interest.
Subject to status, affordability and credit checks. Not everyone will be offered every option. Klarna's own terms apply. Missing payments could affect your ability to borrow in future.
Employer invoice
Your employer can be invoiced directly and book your place from their team dashboard. Just tell us who to bill.
Training credits
Organisations with WorkplaceHero training credits can use them towards this course and pay any difference by card.
Fees and finance
£399.00
inc. VAT
The fee shown includes VAT and covers registration with the awarding body, your tutor and assessor support, assessment and your certificate. Employers can pay by invoice or with training credits - ask us and we will set it up. If the cost is a barrier, talk to us about spreading the payment.
Frequently asked questions
Answers before you apply
Training a team?
We run bespoke cohorts and tailored CPD for FE providers, with invoicing, group pricing and dedicated tutor support. Talk to us about what you need.
Talk to an advisor
Not sure this is the right course?
Tell us where you're up to and we'll send the full course guide - fees, start dates, entry requirements and how you'll be assessed - then follow up personally. No account needed, and no obligation to apply.
Prefer email? Write to hello@workplacehero.co.uk and we'll reply the same working day.
You'll be added to the next available cohort. We'll email you with next steps.