The Ultimate guide to becoming an IQA in education and training.
Are you considering the role of Internal Quality Assurer (IQA)? Have you been asked to conduct IQA for a training centre? Or maybe you are considering becoming a freelance IQA? If so this blog post is for you.
In this post I will outline the role of an IQA, how to become an IQA and gain the relevant qualifications and what completing the IQA qualification involves.
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What is an IQA?
An IQA is a person (or a number of persons) employed to monitor the assessment process and practices of a training and assessment organisation. This can include the assessment of: a qualification, a programme of learning or workplace competence.
Internal quality assurance is the monitoring of the learner journey through the assessment process, ensuring that all parts have been assessed in accordance with the training centre policies and procedures, with the qualification specification and the assessment guidance from the Awarding Organisation and that all learners have received the same level of assessment regardless of other factors.
You can be employed to monitor the assessment of one subject across a number of centres or locations or to monitor all the courses within one centre. What you IQA will depend on your subject specialisms and areas of expertise.
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What does an IQA do?
This will vary depending on the training organisation and the subject areas being assessed but in general the role could include:
Checking the qualifications and expertise of trainers and assessors
Monitoring the planning of assessments
Observations of assessors undertaking assessments
Discussions with candidates
Moderation of portfolio assessments
Desk reviews of assessor paperwork
Monitoring the implementation of policies and procedures
Leading or taking part in standardisation meetings with assessors
Leading or taking part in standardisation meetings with other IQA’s
Meeting with the EQA of the Awarding Organisation
Maintaining records of all IQA activity
Monitoring and supporting the development of assessors
Monitoring and supporting the development of other IQA’s
Taking part in the Appeals and/or complaints process for any disputes
Can I work as a freelance IQA?
Yes you can and many people do this as it works really well for small training centres who can’t afford to employ a full time IQA. Many centres will have one or two trainer/assessors and so making use of a freelance IQA can be very cost effective. An additional advantage is that as a freelancer you will get to see a number of different centres so may pick up good practice ideas that you can carry forward. You will need, however, to be careful about confidentiality and maintain a professional conduct between centres.
You can contact centres directly to offer your services or look on relevant forums on social media platforms such as Facebook. Once you have started work as a freelance IQA you may then find that you get word of mouth recommendations from others.
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How do I become an IQA?
A commonly asked question is “What qualifications do I need to become an IQA?” and the answer is none! However to obtain work and to demonstrate your knowledge and ability to undertake the role it is widely suggested that an IQA holds the Level 4 Award in Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice.
More information about that below.
You also need to have occupational competence and relevant qualifications in the areas that you wish to IQA. For example to work as an IQA for First Aid qualifications I need to hold an in date First Aid at Work certificate, a teaching and assessing qualification and also the L4 IQA qualification. In addition I also need to be currently delivering and assessing courses myself. You will not be able to undertake proper IQA without having the necessary understanding of the assessments required for a particular qualification. This includes the required standard or level expected so that you are not under or over assessing. This means that I would not be able to be an IQA for a hairdressing qualification, for example, as my only experience is when I visit a hairdresser to get my own hair cut. I do not have any qualifications or occupational competence as a hairdresser.
What does the IQA qualification involve?
The current IQA qualification is the Level 4 Award in Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice which consists of 2 units.
There is also a Level 4 Certificate in Leading Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice which consists of 3 units. This would be the course to do if you are leading a team of IQA’s in a large training establishment.
The units are:
Understanding the principles and practices of internally assuring the quality of assessment
Internally assure the quality of assessment
Plan, allocate and monitor work in own area of responsibility
The first unit is a knowledge based unit and this on its own does not give you the qualification to become an IQA. For this you will need to complete at least units 1 and 2.
You can choose to undertake this qualification in a number of different ways including a face-to-face course, distance learning through a virtual classroom such as Zoom or online learning using a platform such as Moodle where you log-in and study at your own pace and in your own time.
Assessment of the first unit is through written assignments which can be supplemented by professional discussion or question and answer with your assessor.
Assessment of the other units is through a combination of work products/evidence, observation by your assessor, professional discussion, witness statements and written statements.
To complete unit 2 you will need access to at least 2 assessors working with at least 2 learners to complete a qualification. Some training centres will provide these for you while others will expect you to supply this yourself. Even if you are not currently working for a training centre you will probably find that they would be happy for some free IQA so offer to go along and monitor a couple of assessors for them. A larger centre may also allow you to shadow an IQA so that you can really see what the role entails.
What next?
If you are still not sure about the role and whether it is for you, why not contact a local training centre, who deliver courses in your subject area, and arrange to go for an informal chat with their IQA.
Do your research on the requirements for your subject area. Do you have the necessary qualifications, subject knowledge and occupational competence in order to IQA the qualifications you are considering.
If possible look at the qualification specification from the relevant awarding organisations and make sure you can meet the IQA requirements.
Consider your options for completing the Level 4 Award in Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Process and Practice or the Level 4 Certificate in Leading the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice.
Contact a number of training organisations and find out their prices and details for completing the course. Do check what you get for your money, sometimes the cheapest is not the best!
Here at Peritia Training we offer the Level 4 Award in Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice. All the learning and submission of portfolio evidence is done through the Moodle platform. You study online and at your own pace. An assessor will come to your place of work to conduct an observation or, under certain circumstances this can be done by video link.
Click the button below for more information and to book onto a course. Any questions just send an email and ask.