How to Choose the Right Teaching or Assessing Qualification
The education and training qualification landscape can be confusing — particularly for people who are new to it. AET, CAVA, IQA: three qualifications that sound similar but serve quite different purposes. This guide helps you work out which one is right for your role.
Start With Your Role, Not the Qualification
The most reliable way to choose the right qualification is to start with what you actually do — not with what sounds most impressive or what a colleague has done.
Ask yourself: do you deliver training to others? Do you assess whether learners are competent? Do you check whether assessors are making correct decisions? The answers point directly to the right qualification.
If You Deliver Training: AET
The Level 3 Award in Education and Training (AET) is for people who deliver learning — training sessions, instruction, workshops, or structured skill development.
If you stand at the front of a room (or lead a virtual session) and help people learn something new, the AET is designed for you.
Typical roles: workplace trainer, health and safety instructor, skills coach, in-house induction facilitator, vocational tutor.
If You Assess Competence: CAVA
The Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (CAVA) is for people who judge whether learners have met the required standard for a vocational qualification.
If you review portfolios, observe learners in the workplace, ask questions to check knowledge, and make a formal decision about whether they have passed or not — you need CAVA.
Typical roles: NVQ assessor, apprenticeship assessor, workplace competence assessor, vocational qualification assessor.
If You Quality Assure Assessors: IQA
The Level 4 Award in the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practices (IQA) is for people who check that assessors are making consistent and valid decisions.
If you sample assessment decisions, observe assessors at work, run standardisation meetings, and provide feedback on assessment quality — the IQA is your qualification.
Typical roles: IQA manager, lead assessor, quality and compliance manager, assessor manager.
Decision Flow: Which Qualification Do You Need?
I deliver training to learners → Level 3 AET
I assess vocational competence against qualification standards → Level 3 CAVA
I quality assure the assessment decisions of other assessors → Level 4 IQA Award
I do both training delivery and assessing → You may need both AET and CAVA
I am new to education and training and not sure → Call us and describe your role. We will help you identify the right qualification.
Do the Qualifications Stack?
Yes — they are designed to complement each other. Many professionals in training and assessment organisations hold more than one of these qualifications.
A typical progression might be: AET first (for those starting in training), then CAVA (when moving into an assessing role), then IQA (when moving into quality assurance).
However, this is not a mandatory sequence. If your first role is as an assessor, you can go straight to CAVA. If your first role is IQA, you can start there — though most people benefit from assessing experience first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. There is no restriction on holding all three. In fact, professionals who have progressed through training, assessing, and quality assurance roles often hold all three qualifications.
CAVA tends to be the most commonly required qualification for vocational training organisations, particularly those delivering NVQs. However, demand varies by sector and role.
Call us on 0115 990 3229 and describe your current role and what you are trying to achieve. We will help you identify the most appropriate qualification without pressure.
These qualifications do not themselves lead to a CSCS card. They are education and training qualifications, not construction competence qualifications. CSCS cards are based on construction-specific NVQs and HS&E test passes.
If by "teach NVQ courses" you mean delivering training workshops to people studying NVQs, the AET is relevant. If you mean assessing NVQ candidates, you need CAVA rather than, or in addition to, the AET.
The AET involves classroom delivery and a micro-teach element. CAVA and IQA are largely portfolio-based qualifications that can be supported remotely. Speak to us about how each qualification is delivered and what format suits your circumstances.
Start Your Qualification
If you're planning to work in this area, you'll likely need the relevant qualification.
Start Delivering Training
The Level 3 Award in Education and Training (AET) provides the foundation for delivering training or teaching sessions.
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