About This Qualification
What is CAVA?
The Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (CAVA) is the only assessor qualification that grants you full status as a practising assessor. Nationally recognised and regulated under the RQF framework, it is the current benchmark for anyone who assesses learners in vocational settings — whether in a classroom, a training centre, or directly in the workplace.
Also known as TAQA (Training, Assessment and Quality Assurance), CAVA replaced the older A1, A2, D32, and D33 assessor units. If you hold one of those legacy awards, CAVA is the modern, recognised equivalent that employers and awarding bodies now require.
Completing this qualification signals to employers and regulatory bodies that you are competent to assess a full range of vocational qualifications — from apprenticeship standards through to diplomas and professional certificates — to a nationally accredited standard.
Scope of Practice
What You Can Assess
On completion you will be recognised to assess learners working towards a broad range of regulated qualifications and vocational competency frameworks, including:
Delivery Model
How You Study
CAVA is delivered through a carefully structured blend of classroom sessions and supported distance learning — giving you professional contact time with your tutor without requiring you to step away from work or family commitments for extended periods.
Study from Home
Distance learning materials let you work through content at your own pace — ideal if you work shifts, have caring responsibilities, or travel for work.
Classroom Interaction
Structured classroom days with knowledgeable tutors give you face-to-face guidance, peer discussion, and direct feedback on your assessment practice.
Google Classroom Access
Our online learning environment keeps your materials, tutor feedback, and submission records in one place — accessible anytime, from any device.
Tutor Support
Reach your tutor via email or phone throughout the course. Questions are answered promptly — you are never left to figure it out alone.
Average completion time: 3–5 months. The timeline is flexible — learners who can dedicate more time per week often complete sooner.
Is This Right for Me?
Who Is This For?
CAVA is the natural next qualification for experienced practitioners who want to formalise and expand their role into assessment and training. It is particularly suited to:
Experienced Care Workers Moving into Assessment
If you have been working in adult social care, nursing, or healthcare for some time and want to transition into an assessor role — training the next generation of care professionals — CAVA gives you the formal credential employers require.
Trainers Seeking Formal Assessor Status
Many trainers already deliver sessions informally or hold the Level 3 AET (PTLLS). CAVA completes the picture: it certifies not just your ability to teach, but your competence to formally assess learners and sign off their evidence portfolios.
Professionals in Vocational Education
Whether you work in a training provider, an apprenticeship programme, further education, or a large employer running in-house accredited training, CAVA is the regulated qualification that validates your assessment decisions.
What Comes Next
Your Progression Pathway
CAVA sits at the assessor tier of the qualifications and credit framework. Once completed, a clear route takes you into quality assurance and leadership roles within vocational education:
Level 3 CAVA — Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement
Fully qualified assessor status. Recognised across all RQF vocational qualifications. Replaces legacy A1/A2 and D32/D33 awards.
Level 4 Award in Internal Quality Assurance (IQA)
The IQA award qualifies you to monitor and standardise assessment decisions across a team of assessors — a requirement for quality assurance roles in most awarding body-approved centres.
View the L4 IQA course →Lead IQA and Centre Quality Roles
With both CAVA and the Level 4 IQA in hand, you are eligible for Lead Internal Quality Assurer positions, centre management roles within awarding body approval structures, and senior positions in vocational education quality teams.