Short answer
TAQA is the UK family of qualifications for assessors and internal quality assurers. It is built from six units. Units 1 to 3 make up the Level 3 assessor qualifications and Units 4 to 6 make up the Level 4 IQA qualifications. The Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (L3CAVA) contains Units 1, 2 and 3, so it already includes both single assessor awards.
What TAQA means
TAQA stands for Training, Assessment and Quality Assurance. It is the set of regulated qualifications for people who judge whether learners have met a standard (assessors) and for people who check that those judgements are consistent and fair (internal quality assurers, or IQAs). TAQA replaced the older A1 and V1 awards in 2010.
The qualifications are offered by several awarding organisations, including Y Awards (previously YMCA Awards), Focus Awards and Highfield Qualifications. The names differ slightly between them, but the unit structure is the same.
The six units
| Unit | Level | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | 3 | Understanding the principles and practices of assessment (theory) |
| Unit 2 | 3 | Assessing occupational competence in the work environment |
| Unit 3 | 3 | Assessing vocational skills, knowledge and understanding |
| Unit 4 | 4 | Understanding the principles and practices of internal quality assurance (theory) |
| Unit 5 | 4 | Internally assuring the quality of assessment |
| Unit 6 | 4 | Planning, allocating and monitoring work in your own area of responsibility |
Units 1 and 4 are theory. Units 2, 3 and 5 require real practice with real learners or assessors. Unit 6 is about leading a team.
The four assessor qualifications
| Qualification | Units | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| L3AUPPA | 1 | People who need to understand assessment but will not assess yet |
| L3AACWE | 1 + 2 | Assessors who observe people doing the real job |
| L3AAVRA | 1 + 3 | Assessors in classrooms, workshops and simulated settings |
| L3CAVA | 1 + 2 + 3 | Fully qualified assessors who work in both settings |
Because the L3CAVA contains all three assessor units, you do not take L3AUPPA, L3AACWE or L3AAVRA as well as L3CAVA. It covers them.
The three IQA qualifications
| Qualification | Units | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| L4AUIQAAPP | 4 | People who need to understand IQA but will not practise yet |
| L4AIQAAPP | 4 + 5 | Qualified IQAs who sample and support a team of assessors |
| L4CLIQAAPP | 4 + 5 + 6 | Lead IQAs who own the quality function for a centre |
The same logic applies. The Lead IQA certificate contains the practising IQA award, which contains the theory award.
Theory-only or practice
The theory-only awards, L3AUPPA and L4AUIQAAPP, are useful for managers, trainers and anyone who needs to understand the process. They do not qualify you to make assessment or IQA decisions. If your job involves signing off learners or sampling assessors, you need a practice qualification.
Tip
If your job advert says "qualified assessor" or "A1 or equivalent", it almost always means L3CAVA or one of the two single practice awards, not L3AUPPA.
What has changed
Some awarding organisations have refreshed their TAQA specifications and qualification codes in recent years. The units and the way they combine have stayed the same, so a TAQA qualification you hold remains valid. Regulated qualifications do not expire, although employers may ask for recent continuing professional development.
Learn the six units once and every TAQA qualification name makes sense.
How to choose
- Assessing people doing the real job at work: L3AACWE or L3CAVA.
- Assessing in a training centre, college or workshop: L3AAVRA or L3CAVA.
- Not sure, or doing both: L3CAVA.
- Checking other assessors' work: L4AIQAAPP.
- Leading the IQA team: L4CLIQAAPP.
The career ladders show both routes on one screen, and the sector finder shows which qualification employers in your industry ask for.
Questions people ask
What does TAQA stand for?
Training, Assessment and Quality Assurance. It is the family of UK qualifications for assessors and internal quality assurers.
Do I need L3AUPPA before L3CAVA?
No. L3CAVA includes Unit 1, which is the whole of L3AUPPA.
Is L3CAVA the same as the old A1 award?
L3CAVA is the modern equivalent employers accept where older adverts mention A1.
Do TAQA qualifications expire?
No. Regulated qualifications do not expire, though employers may ask for recent CPD.