Short answer
A teaching qualification (L3AET, L4CET or L5DiT) lets you plan and deliver learning with recognised standing. An assessing qualification (L3AACWE, L3AAVRA or L3CAVA) lets you judge competence officially. Our learners used them to get a centre approved, start assessing for their employer, teach with more confidence and move up to IQA.
Teaching or assessing: what is the difference?
Teaching
For people who plan and deliver sessions: trainers, tutors, coaches and lecturers. L3AET to start, then the L4CET and the L5DiT. The L3AET also includes a unit on understanding assessment.
Assessing
For people who judge whether learners are competent against a standard. L3AACWE for the workplace, L3AAVRA for assignments, tests and simulations, and L3CAVA for both.
1. It opens doors that stay closed without it
Some opportunities need a recognised qualification before anything else can happen: centre approval, insurance or a role that lists it as a requirement.
“I completed the level 3 AET (PTLLS) in 9 days with hard work, grit and determination!”
Rebecca runs ALIGN, teaching lash, brow and intimate waxing across Manchester. She needed a recognised teaching qualification to get her centre approved, and her insurer required it too. With her L3AET she got both.
Read Rebecca’s story2. It turns what you already do into something official
Many people already assess colleagues informally. An assessor qualification means your decisions count, so you can sign learners off against a standard.
“I honestly couldn’t fault The Teacher Trainer at all.”
Samuel took the L3AACWE to support his work assessing learners in the workplace. He completed it in 54 days and has since started assessing learners officially at Elec Training in Wolverhampton.
Read Samuel’s story“I appreciate the additional support that was given to me with my circumstances.”
Adam needed the formal skills to assess and confirm the competence of technicians in the water regulations sector. He completed his L3AAVRA in 90 days and now assesses technicians officially at Welsh Water.
Read Adam’s story3. It makes you better at the job
A qualification is more than a certificate. Our learners said the feedback and reflection changed how they plan, teach and support their own learners.
“I feel much better prepared for future sessions thanks to this high-quality support.”
Paradzai wanted to develop his teaching, particularly for learners with diverse needs. Detailed feedback tied to his real teaching left him better prepared. He now teaches his subject officially at John Dewey Specialist College in London.
Read Paradzai’s story“Completing this course has deeply inspired me, reaffirming my inclusive values.”
Charley teaches young people digital art in Manchester. Her L4CET helped her plan and deliver more engaging lessons, and she says it has empowered her to better support the young people she teaches.
Read Charley’s story“Overall, it’s a well-designed course that has positively impacted my teaching.”
Leanne took the Level 5 diploma to strengthen her inclusive practice. Its focus on reflection grew her confidence, and she is now thinking about applying for QTLS.
Read Leanne’s story4. It is the first rung of a ladder
Teaching and assessing qualifications both lead somewhere. Teachers can move up to Level 4 and Level 5. Assessors can move into internal quality assurance (IQA) and then lead it.
“He really did make the whole process fun and easy.”
Ahmed completed his L3AAVRA in 72 days, went straight on to his IQA (L4AIQAAPP) and is now starting his Lead IQA (L4CLIQAAPP) with us.
Read Ahmed’s story“I always felt comfortable reaching out with any questions.”
Violet took the Level 5 diploma to gain a higher-level teaching qualification. She now teaches Functional Skills English and maths at Lifetime Training in Bristol and is thinking about applying for QTLS.
Read Violet’s storySamuel and Adam may get the chance to become IQAs at their employers too. Naif, also at Saudi Mining Polytechnic, has completed his L4CLIQAAPP and now leads IQA practice there. Violet and Leanne took the Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training (L5DET), which our L5DiT has replaced.
5. It fits around a full-time job
Everyone in this article was working while they studied. Every course is online, with 365 days to complete and marking back in 24 to 72 hours, so nobody had to travel.
Figures come from each learner’s Success Story. Savings are their own estimates compared with a classroom course.
Teaching, assessing or both?
✓You plan and deliver training: start with the L3AET.
✓You sign people off as competent at work: the L3AACWE.
✓You assess through assignments, tests or simulations: the L3AAVRA.
✓You do both kinds of assessing: the L3CAVA.
✓You teach and assess: the L3AET plus an assessor qualification.
Nearly 30 people qualify with us every month. Each one started by picking the right first step.
Not sure which fits? Take the Course Quiz, or read Choosing the L3AET, L4CET or L5DiT and L3CAVA or a single assessor award?
Questions people ask
Do I need a teaching or an assessing qualification?
A teaching qualification if you plan and deliver learning; an assessing qualification if you judge whether people are competent against a standard. Many trainers do both and take one of each.
Which should I take first?
Usually the one your current role needs now. Rebecca needed the L3AET for centre approval; Samuel and Adam needed assessor awards to assess officially.
Can I study around a full-time job?
Yes. Every course is online with 365 days to complete and marking back in 24 to 72 hours. Our learners finished in anything from 9 to 235 days.
What comes after?
Teachers can move from the L3AET to the L4CET and L5DiT. Assessors can move on to the L4AIQAAPP and then the L4CLIQAAPP to lead quality assurance, as Ahmed is doing.