How to Become an Assessor in South Africa
What is an assessor in South Africa?
An assessor is an individual that measures the competency of learners by assessing their skills against specific unit standards or qualifications. This plays a vital role in Skills Development training. Skills Development involves upskilling previously disadvantaged individuals so they can enter the workplace. An assessor will mark these students’ assessments and determine whether they can receive a qualification. Once the students have a qualification certificate, they can start applying for jobs and therefore improve their work life situation.
If you choose to become an assessor you can expect to conduct assessments, ensure assessments are valid and reliable, provide feedback and guidance to students, work with moderators, and adhere to assessment policies and regulations.
What are the benefits of becoming an assessor?
1. You can contribute to Skills Development
2. You can grow your own skills and experiences
3. Recognition and Networking
By having so much knowledge and experience in the field that you choose to assess you’ll ultimately demonstrate your expertise and competence in that area. Assessor qualifications and accreditation are often highly regarded which will only boost your professional standing and recognition. Additionally, you’ll meet many assessors, facilitators and other Skills Development professionals that can open the door to knowledge sharing, collaboration and professional relationships.
4. Diverse Career Options
How to become an assessor:
Why you should enrol in an assessor course:
What you need to look out for when choosing an assessor course:
1. Accreditation and Recognition
In South Africa, there are specific regulatory requirements to become a professional and legal assessor. To check this box, you need to make sure that the assessor course training you enrol in has a unit standard labelled: SAQA Unit Standard 115753: Conduct Outcomes-Based Assessment. This unit standard must be accredited by ETDP SETA in order to be valid. Therefore, you will meet accreditation requirements and maintain the integrity of the assessment process.
2. Comprehensive curriculum
3. Recognition and certification
What are the requirements to become an assessor?
In order to become an assessor in South Africa you’ll need to meet specific requirements:
Hold a qualification. It’s important to note that you’ll need to have a qualification that is relevant to the field you wish to assess in. This can be a certificate, degree, or diploma. This will help to demonstrate your expertise in the field you wish to assess in.
- Experience.
This isn’t mandatory but gaining experience in the field you wish to assess can have many benefits. You’ll be able to understand and apply business contexts, challenges, and standards to your assessments. You’ll be able to make informed judgements and assess competently.
- Registration. In order to become a qualified assessor, you’ll need to register with a relevant SETA or QCTO. To do this you’ll need to submit the required documentation, your qualifications, assessor course certificate, and proof of experience if needed. Each SETA and QCTO have their own set of requirements so it’s important that you research which requirements you need to meet. For example, assessor registration with services SETA has specific administrative requirements such as completing a registration form, providing certified copies of your qualification and ID and paying an application fee if applicable.
How long does it take to complete an assessor course?
Next Steps:
Are you ready to take the next step to becoming an assessor? Luckily Edge Training now provides an ETDP SETA accredited assessor course, with the right assessor unit standard, that covers all you need to know so you can start applying for assessor jobs. We have over 20 years of experience in Skills Development and training so you can rest assured that you’re in the best hands. Our assessor course runs over a four-day period and can be taken either in person or online with a facilitator.