Introduction: new standards for assessing work based qualifications.

The National standards for assessment have been revised. The revised standards are designed to reflect the requirements of assessors in all occupationsal sectors. They are the benchmark of good practice in assessment, and cover the skills and knowledge needed to perform key activities to nationally-agreed standards.

These standards are the minimum needed by anyone who is delivering government-funded training and learning programmes. Assessors should now be using the revised national occupational standards.

The new A Units

The 'D' Units have been replaced. The new 'A' (for assessor) Units are:

* stand alone Units (which mean that they are qualifications in their own right)

* designed specifically to improve the quality and rigour of assessment

* being incorporated into new Learning and Development SVQs and Professional Development Awards (PDAs)

The A Units are significantly different from the 'D Units'. The new Units represent what employers, employees practitioners and purchasers consider to be good practice in assessment. the target market includes assessors in any setting: private, public, self-employed and voluntary sectors.