Teaching & Assessing
Level 3 Award in Education & Training (AET)
Level 4 Award in the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice (RQF)
Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (RQF)
Level 3 Award in Education & Training (AET)
Overview:
The Level 3 Award in Education and Training (AET) — formerly known as PTLLS (Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector) — is an introductory teaching qualification for individuals who wish to teach, train, or instruct in further education, adult learning, or workplace training settings.
It provides the essential knowledge and understanding required to plan, deliver, and evaluate inclusive teaching and learning sessions.
This qualification is the first step on the teacher training ladder and prepares learners for roles in both the public and private education sectors.
Who Is This Qualification For?
This qualification is suitable for individuals who:
- Want to begin a career in teaching or training within adult education, further education, or workplace learning.
- Are currently working as a trainer, tutor, or instructor and wish to gain a formal teaching qualification.
- Are professionals who deliver training as part of their role (e.g., assessors, mentors, HR trainers).
- Want to progress to higher-level teaching qualifications, such as the Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training.
- No previous teaching experience is required — this course is ideal for beginners
What You’ll Learn
By completing this qualification, you will learn how to:
- Understand the roles, responsibilities, and relationships in education and training.
- Plan and deliver inclusive and engaging teaching sessions.
- Use effective assessment methods to monitor learner progress.
- Create a safe and supportive learning environment.
- Understand legislation, policies, and codes of practice relating to equality, diversity, and safeguarding.
- Reflect on your professional practice and continuously improve.
Course Content / Units
Learners must achieve a minimum of 12 credits, comprising three core units.
Mandatory Units
- Understanding Roles, Responsibilities and Relationships in Education and Training
- Understanding and Using Inclusive
- Teaching and Learning Approaches in
- Education and Training
- Understanding Assessment in
- Education and Training
Some versions of the qualification also include optional units, such as:
- Facilitate Learning and Development for Individuals
- Facilitate Learning and Development in Groups
Entry Requirements
Learners must be aged 19 or over.
A good standard of English (written and spoken) is required.
No formal academic qualifications are needed.
Access to a teaching or training environment is helpful but not essential — a micro-teaching session can be completed during the course.
Progression Opportunities
Upon successful completion, learners can progress to:
Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training (CET)
Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training (DET)
Specialist qualifications in assessing, quality assurance, or coaching.
Career Pathways
Tutor / Adult Learning Trainer
Workplace Trainer / Instructor
Private Sector Training Consultant
Volunteer or Community Education Tutor
Further Education Teaching Assistant
Benefits of the Qualification
Recognised nationally on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF)
Meets the introductory requirement for teaching and training in the post-16 sector
Builds confidence in lesson planning, delivery, and assessment
Opens doors to further teacher training and professional education routes
Suitable for all sectors — education, health and social care, business, and vocational training
Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (RQF)
Overview:
The Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (RQF) is a nationally recognised qualification for individuals who assess vocational skills, knowledge, and understanding in a workplace, training centre, or educational setting.
This qualification provides the knowledge and practical skills needed to plan, carry out, and evaluate fair, valid, and reliable assessments.
It is ideal for those who wish to become qualified assessors for apprenticeships, vocational qualifications (such as NVQs or Diplomas), or in-house training programmes.
The qualification meets the requirements of Ofqual, RQF, and Awarding Organisations for occupational competence in assessment practice.
Who Is This Qualification For?
This qualification is suitable for individuals who:
- Want to become a qualified assessor in their area of vocational expertise.
Are currently assessing, or plan to assess, learners in the workplace or training environment. - Work as trainers, tutors, teachers, or supervisors and want to add assessment skills to their role.
- Are already qualified teachers or trainers and wish to extend their professional competence in assessment.
Course Content / Units
Learners must achieve 15 credits from the following three mandatory units:
- Understanding the Principles and Practices of Assessment
- Covers the underpinning knowledge and legislation that governs assessment.
- Assess Occupational Competence in the Work Environment
- Focuses on assessing learners’ performance in a real workplace setting.
- Assess Vocational Skills, Knowledge and Understanding
- Involves assessing learners’ abilities in a classroom, workshop, or simulated environment.
- These units combine theoretical understanding with practical assessment experience.
What You’ll Learn
Typical job roles include:
- Assessor, Trainer-Assessor, Apprenticeship Coach, or Internal Quality Assurer (IQA) (with further training).
By completing this qualification, learners will gain the knowledge and skills to:
- Understand the principles and practices of assessment.
- Plan, conduct, and record valid and reliable assessments.
- Provide constructive feedback to learners.
- Make assessment decisions based on performance evidence.
- Understand quality assurance processes in vocational assessment.
- Maintain professional and legal standards (e.g., GDPR, equality, safeguarding, and diversity).
How You’ll Be Assessed
Assessment is based on a combination of written assignments, professional discussions, and practical observations.
You will need to provide evidence of:
- Planning and carrying out real assessments with learners
- Giving feedback and recording assessment decisions
- Maintaining accurate and secure assessment records
- Reflecting on and evaluating your own assessment practice
- All evidence is collected into a portfolio, which demonstrates your competence against national assessment standards.
- There are no written exams.
Course Duration
Typical duration: 8–16 weeks, depending on experience and mode of study.
Can be completed online, in person, or through blended learning.
Learners must have two real learners to assess (in their workplace or training environment).
Entry Requirements
Learners must be aged 19 or over.
Must have vocational competence in the subject area they wish to assess. A good standard of English and written communication is required, access to at least two learners to evaluate in a workplace or training setting.
Progression Opportunities
After completing this qualification, learners can progress to:
Level 4 Award in the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice (IQA)
Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training (CET)
Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training (DET)
Roles such as Lead Assessor, Internal Verifier, or Training Coordinator
Career Pathways
Vocational Assessor / Trainer
Apprenticeship Assessor
On-the-Job Trainer or Coach
Internal Quality Assurer (with additional qualifications)
FE College or Private Training Provider Tutor
Benefits of the Qualification
Recognised nationally on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF)
Meets the requirements for assessing NVQs, Diplomas, and Apprenticeships
Provides a professional route into assessing and quality assurance roles
Enhances employability within education, training, and vocational sectors
Builds confidence in professional judgement, feedback, and learner development
Level 4 Award in the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice (RQF)
Overview:
The Level 4 Award in the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice (RQF) is a nationally recognised qualification for individuals responsible for monitoring, evaluating, and improving the quality of assessment within a training or educational organisation.
It is ideal for experienced assessors who wish to progress into a quality assurance or internal verification role.
This qualification develops the knowledge and practical skills needed to ensure that assessment decisions are consistent, fair, valid, and reliable across all assessors and learners.
The Award aligns with the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) and meets the standards set by Ofqual, Skills for Care, and awarding bodies for quality assurance practice.
Who Is This Qualification For?
This qualification is suitable for individuals who:
- Are experienced assessors looking to move into internal quality assurance (IQA).
- Are responsible for monitoring and supporting assessors to maintain assessment standards.
- Work within colleges, training providers, or apprenticeship organisations.
- Wish to gain recognition for their quality assurance expertise.
What You’ll Learn
Typical job roles include:
Internal Quality Assurer (IQA), Lead IQA, Quality Manager, or Training Coordinator.
By completing this qualification, learners will gain the knowledge and skills to:
- Understand the principles and practices of internal quality assurance.
- Monitor and evaluate assessment processes and decisions.
- Support and provide feedback to assessors.
- Maintain quality and compliance with awarding body requirements.
- Ensure assessment is consistent, fair, valid, and reliable.
- Implement and maintain quality improvement systems.
- Uphold data protection, equality, diversity, and safeguarding responsibilities.
Course Content / Units
Learners must achieve 12 credits from the following two mandatory units:
- Understanding the Principles and Practices of Internally Assuring the Quality of Assessment
- Theoretical understanding of the IQA role, legislation, and quality systems.
Internally Assure the Quality of Assessment - Practical unit requiring learners to monitor and support assessors, sample assessment decisions, and provide feedback. (Note: Some centres may offer an additional “knowledge-only” unit for those not currently verifying in practice — the Level 4 Award in Understanding the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice.)
Course Duration
Typical duration: 8–16 weeks, depending on experience and delivery method.
Can be completed online, in person, or through blended learning.
Learners must have access to at least two assessors who can support and quality-assure them.
How You’ll Be Assessed
Assessment is based on workplace performance and portfolio evidence.
Typical assessment methods include:
- Observation of IQA activity
Work products (sampling plans, feedback records, reports) - Reflective accounts
- Professional discussions
Witness testimonies from assessors or managers - You will build a portfolio of evidence showing your competence in internal quality assurance.
- There are no written exams.
Entry Requirements
Learners must be aged 19 or over.
Must hold a Level 3 Assessor qualification (e.g., Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement).
Must have vocational competence and experience in their sector.
Should have access to assessors and assessment records for evidence gathering.
Progression Opportunities
After completing this qualification, learners can progress to:
Level 4 Certificate in Leading the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice (RQF)
Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training (DET)
Senior quality assurance or management roles within education and training.
Career Pathways
Internal Quality Assurer (IQA)
Lead IQA / Quality Lead
Quality Manager
Curriculum or Compliance Coordinator
Centre Manager / Training Programme Lead
Progression Opportunities
After completing this qualification, learners can progress to:
Level 4 Certificate in Leading the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice (RQF)
Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training (DET)
Senior quality assurance or management roles within education and training.
Benefits of the Qualification
Recognised nationally on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF)
Meets Ofqual and awarding body standards for internal quality assurance
Confirms competence to monitor and maintain assessment quality
Strengthens professional credibility and compliance knowledge
Supports progression into management and education leadership roles