Guides

 


Gambia Skills Qualifications Framework

"Making Skills Work"

Guidelines

For Practicing Assessor

NTA Practicing Assessors Certificate 1

(PAC 1)

Table of Contents Page

Who is an NTA licensed Practicing Assessor 3

What is the Practicing Assessor Certificate 1 (PAC 1) 3

At what level/s and in what occupation/s can I assess? 3

Training, Assessment and Certification for PAC1

Performance Criteria 3

Units Commentary

Unit 1 Assessing Candidates in the Workplace, by observation and oral questioning 4

Element 1 Prepare for workplace assessment and assessment by observation 4

Element 2 Conduct workplace assessment and assessment by observation 5

Element 3 Complete assessment administration 6

Unit 2 Contributing to the Quality Assurance Process 7

Element 1 Description of Assessment Centre 7

Element 2 Participating in internal verification and attending team meetings 8

Unit 3 Health and Safety at Work 8

Element 1 Demonstrate safe working practices in a work environment 8

Element 2 Monitor and maintain a safe workplace 9

Element 3 Security and confidentiality 9

Unit 4 Personal Effectiveness 10

Element 1 Working with Computers 10

Element 2 Communication 11

Element 3 Time Management 12

Element 4 Reflective Practice 12

Continuous Professional Development and opportunities for progression 13

Further Information 13

Who is an NTA licensed Practicing Assessor

Practicing Assessor Certificate 1 (PAC1)

A Practicing Assessor is anybody who is certified by the NTA for this purpose.

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You will need to meet NTA requirements after which you will be granted a Practicing Assessor Certificate 1 (PAC 1) and license to operate by assessing trainees and candidates in the workplace, by observation and oral questioning.

This means you will be recognized and authorized by the NTA to plan an assessment, help a trainee or candidate gather evidence of competence in a skill or occupation for which a ‘GSQ’ is sought and be charged with the responsibility for making the decision as to whether the work that has been presented meets the requirements of the ‘GSQ’.

At what level(s) and in what occupation(s) can I assess?

The levels and occupation you assess will depend on the type of certificate that you hold and your expertise respectively. Holders of the PAC 1 certificate will be licensed to assess up to ‘GSQ’ level 1 in any field for which they can prove expertise at a level as prescribed by the NTA.

Training, Assessment and Certification for PAC1

Performance Criteria

To be certified as an approved/registered NTA Practicing Assessor 1 (PAC1) and licensed to assess candidates in the workplace by observation and oral questioning, a registered trainee must demonstrate competence, knowledge and understanding in the following elements / units.

Unit 1 Assessing Candidates in the Workplace, by Observation and oral questioning

Unit 2 Contributing to the Quality Assurance Process

Unit 3 Health and Safety at Work

Unit 4 Personal Effectiveness

Units Commentary

Unit 1 Assessing candidates in the workplace, by observation and oral

questioning

The purpose of this unit is to ensure that the candidate can competently plan, organize, conduct and administer assessment by judging against workplace evidence and / or observation. The unit standard requires a candidate to:

  1. • Prepare for workplace assessment and assessment by observation
  2. • Conduct workplace assessment and assessment by observation
  3. • Complete assessment administration

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General Requirements and Information:

The unit standard(s) against which candidates are assessed will be from the ‘GSQF’ registered unit standards.

All assessment activities must be in line with procedures and requirements set out by the National Training Authority (NTA) and pre-moderated assessment materials must be used.

This assessment will take place in a practical setting in the candidates own workplace or a place arranged for the purpose.

This unit standard requires close interaction between the assessor and the candidate. The candidate will also be required to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the ‘GSQs’.

Evidence to be considered

Likely source(s) of evidence

Requirements

Points Assessor to consider in judging evidence

Element 1: Prepare for workplace assessment, assessment by observation and oral questioning

(1.1) Select assessment materials (candidate guides, assessment

tasks) relevant to the unit

standard to be assessed in consultation with the candidate

(1.2) Identify all pre –assessment moderation requirements and ensure these are met in accordance with the criteria established by NTA

(1.3) Inform all parties to the assessment and secure their agreement to the assessment

arrangement in terms of

sequence of events, date, time, location, etc

(1.4) Prepare the environment in which assessment is to take place so that the integrity of the outcome is not compromised

Documented unit standards

(from NTA collection);

assessment materials; and an assessment plan

Prepare an assessment plan

The assessor will have to consider that an assessment plan should contain the following:

Name of Candidate(s); Unit standards to

be used; sequence of events, location and time of assessment,

assessment conditions agreed with candidate; Any special conditions;

Appeal procedure to be outlined to candidates;

Health and safety requirements to be

addressed (if any);

Indication of how, where and when results will be recorded, pre-moderated assessment materials

available for use; identification of other

people to be involved in the assessment process (if any) and proof of their consent; Evidence of meeting with the candidate to prepare the plan indicated by

candidate sign-off

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Element 2: Conduct workplace assessment and assessment by observation

(2.1)

The assessment is carried out in line with the selected materials and the agreed arrangements (as per the assessment plan)

(2.2)

Evidence is checked that they are valid, authentic, current, sufficient and that they will lead to

consistent assessment before any decision is made

(2.3)

The candidate is given timely and direct feedback and that the

feedback is confined to the strengths and weaknesses in

performance as well as any requirements for further evidence

(2.4)

A professional and warm

interaction is maintained with a view to reducing any anxiety on the part of the candidate

Observation and/or witness

statement. Evidence that

plan is being followed

Observation. Assessment

recording sheet showing

evidence submitted by

candidate and their verification

Observation and/or witness

statement

Observation and/or witness

statement

Assessment of a candidate using unit

standards registered

on the ‘GSQF’

The assessment material and plan are followed

Assessment carried out in accordance with NTA guidelines and health and safety considerations, conditions, special needs of candidates (if any), and any other relevant factor.

Assessment decision is based on evidence that is valid, authentic, current

and sufficient.

Feedback is on candidate performance and is timely, and direct.

Relationship between assessor and candidate is warm and professional

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Evidence to be considered

Likely source/s of evidence

Requirements

Points Assessor to consider in judging evidence

Element 3: Complete assessment administration

(3.1) The results of the assessment are recorded in accordance with requirements of

candidates, stakeholders and the NTA

(3.2) Requirements for moderation specified by NTA are complied with.

(3.3) Record any suggestions for

improving the process and the materials used

Assessment reporting form (completed)

(Record of

Assessment Results)

Assessment recording form duly completed with a decision recorded

Moderation requirements include filing of results

Suggestions for

improvement of process and materials (if any) are recorded

Unit 2 Contributing to the Quality Assurance Process

A practicing NTA assessor must be aware of the importance of quality assurance in enhancing the credibility of qualifications in general and the assessment process in particular. They should also be contributing or have recently contributed to the quality assurance process of their current or past institution. The unit is comprised of the following elements:

  1. • Description of Assessment Centre
  2. • Participating in internal verification and attending team meetings
  3. • Liaising with other members of the assessment and quality assurance team

General Requirements and Information:

The unit standard(s) against which candidates are assessed will be from the GSQF basket of registered unit standards. At least one assessment is required.

All activities must be in line with procedures and requirements set out by the National Training Authority and the Task Force concerned. Pre-moderated assessment materials must be used.

This unit standard is suitable in traditional written assignment settings. It does not necessarily require close interaction between the assessor and the candidate.

Evidence to be considered

Likely source/s of evidence

Requirements

Points Assessor to consider in judging evidence

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Element 1: Description of Assessment Centre

(1.1 )

Introduction of

Assessment Centre

(1.2)

Relationship with the NTA

Essay/Report

Produce a report on your training centre / assessment centre including the types of training delivered and how the centre is going to relate to the NTA in assessing for ‘GSQs’ within the’ GSQF’.

Element 2: Participating in internal verification and attending team meetings

(2.1)

Participating in internal verification

activities

(2.2)

Attending team meetings and liaising with other members of the quality

assurance team.

Internally verified work and any documents relating to quality assurance.

Minutes of meetings held.

Unit 3 Health and Safety at Work

The importance of health & safety in the workplace cannot be overemphasized. The purpose of this unit is for you to demonstrate that you have been monitoring your working environment with a view to making sure the environment meets national and international requirements for health, safety and secured working conditions.

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The unit is comprised of the following elements:

  1. • Demonstrate safe working practices in a work environment
  2. • Monitor and maintain a safe workplace
  3. • Security and confidentiality

Evidence to be considered

Likely source(s) of evidence

Requirements

Points Assessor to consider in judging evidence

Element 1: Demonstrate safe working practices in a work environment

(1.1)

Compliance to Health & Safety procedures in workplace.

.

(1.2)

Identifying and correcting

hazards.

Project

Evidence to be considered

Likely source/s of evidence

Requirements

Points Assessor to consider in judging evidence

Element 2: Monitor and maintain a safe workplace

(2.1 ) Identifying and recommending opportunities for improvement

(2.2) Completing any Health & Hazards records legibly

Project

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Evidence to be considered

Likely source(s) of evidence

Requirements

Points Assessor to consider in judging evidence

Element 3: Security and Confidentiality

(3.1 )

Organizing your work area

(3.2)

Use equipments in accordance with Manufacturers Instructions

(3.3)

Awareness of the Data Protection Act and relevance to your work

Project

Questions and answer

Answer questions to demonstrate knowledge and present work in agreed format.

Unit 4 Personal Effectiveness

The purpose of this unit is for the assessor to demonstrate how he or she has personally developed through the acquisition of life skills and professionally demonstrate a reflective practitioner to comprise the following elements:

  1. • Working with Computers
  2. • Communication
  3. • Time Management
  4. • Reflective Practice

Element 1: Working with Computers

(1.1)

Understanding Basic Hardware and Software concepts

(1.2)

Perform Word processing operations.

Questions & Answer

Observation check list

Soft & hard copies of word processing documents

Define computer data processing. Distinguish between types of software. Perform initial visual safety checks and power up system.

Access word software

Create a new word document. Set up the page. Format work

Perform various application functions

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(1.3)

Use basic e-mail and Internet

(1.4)

Maintaining the Security and Confidentiality of data

Printout of e-mail sent/received

Observation, questions & answer

Save and print document

Identify any 2 search engines

Research the net(surf)

Maintain an e-mail address. E-mail document to another party.

Ensuring passwords are kept in secret.

Ensuring Hardware and program disks are kept in secured location.

Understand and implement relevant legislation at all times.

Seek assistance in times of difficulty.

Back up work to suitable storage media. Close down computer without damage to system.

Element 2 : Communication

(2.1)

Face to face and by telephone

(2.2)

By fax and by e-mail

Observation/ recorded conversation

Copy of e-mail & fax sent/ received

Soft/ hard copies f word processing document

Answer a ringing telephone professionally

Forward a call to a colleague

Take a message accurately

Provide basic information over the telephone

Prepare a face document.

Successfully remit a fax document to a colleague or any other party.

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(2.3)

By producing a word processing document

E-mail a document to another party.

Produce word processing documents communicating to:

a. an individual

b. the public

Element 3 : Time Management

(3.1)

Punctuality and Regularity

(3.2)

Managing Time

Demonstrate awareness and importance of the two.

Able to distinguish between the two and evidence of good practice.

Define time management, timetabling, diaries and appointments, implication of good time management on work.

Answer questions. Attendance registers, witness and evidence statements.

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Element 4 : Reflective Practice

(4.1)

Planning and organizing own workload

(4.2)

Improving individual performance

Individual Action Plan

Report and evidence of trainings, research, team meetings and courses attended.

To produce an Individual Action Plan

(IAP)

Report improving performance reflecting on performance before a training or curse of action, how plan was implemented and any improvement on performance

 

Continuous Professional Development and opportunities for progression

PAC 1 holders should have a lot of opportunities open to them and should be sought after by NTA approved training institutions to assess and / or train candidates aspiring for ‘GSQs’ in various fields of study.

Once qualified and licensed to practice, it is a requirement and your responsibility to continually and professionally develop yourself and evidence of this will be sought for review of practice and renewal of license. Evidence of Continuous Professional Development will also be considered when making decisions to PAC 1 holders who may want to update their licensed to a higher level (PAC 2).

Further Information

For further enquiries please contact the Assessment and Certification Unit on 4370518 or 9961164.