Workplace Assessors: Making a real difference to training and development

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Training someone while they are working can sometimes be tricky to juggle for a business, and that is why a workplace assessor is such a key part of success. They oversee the formal marking process and provide mentoring, either within their own workplace or independently. They are a vital part of maintaining the quality of Primary Industry Training Organisation (ITO) qualifications and programmes.

A workplace assessor could be an experienced supervisor or manager who works in an organisation that has trainees, or they could work independently for many businesses. They are registered with the Primary ITO to assess employees in the workplace. There are massive benefits for a workplace having its own assessors. It means that: • The trainee can be assessed without having to stop working or travel somewhere. • The assessor intimately understands the workplace and often knows the trainee. • The assessment costs are often reduced for the organisation. • It’s easier to adjust assessment practices to suit the workplace situation and the trainee. However, if you are a small business, independent workplace assessors play a vital role. All trainees need some form of assessment in order to complete their programmes. Because the assessor plays such an important role in the learner experience, there are some processes in place to ensure that learners, employers and assessors are getting a consistent quality of experience. In addition to being registered as workplace assessors with the Primary ITO, assessors are expected to have a minimum level of professional training (Unit Standard 4098 for workplace and affiliate assessors). The Primary

...it adds depth to my training knowledge and abilities

Heather Feetham, 2021 Pukekohe Young Grower of the Year winner

ITO Quality team also regularly review the workplace assessors’ professional practice, and assessors are expected to participate in ongoing continuing professional development workshops offered by Primary ITO. Primary ITO sector manager, Adam Fleck, notes “workplace assessors play such a critical role in supporting learners to achieve. We have over 700 workplace assessors throughout the country who take their assessing role really seriously and do a great job at it.” Workplace assessors have a lot of responsibility – they’re required to make the final decision regarding a learner’s competency, and they have the authority to register the assessment results with Primary ITO, who report those to NZQA (the New Zealand Qualifications Authority). After registering results, all workplace assessors have to hold the evidence of their judgement for a minimum period of two years. Heather Feetham, 2021 Pukekohe Young Grower of the Year winner, is a production manager at T&G Fresh and has been a workplace assessor for around four months. “Currently I have three trainees that I work alongside. It’s great as working towards a qualification gives our staff the opportunity for professional development, and provides greater personal satisfaction within their role. The assessing also doesn’t take too long each week. It took a while to get my head around the actual bookwork and to organise the flow of the learning but it’s been really worth it.” “…it has also been great professional development for myself as it adds depth to my training knowledge and abilities plus adds value back to the business by having staff that are well-trained and assessed at a high level.”

How does assessment work alongside trainees? 1 Assessment and learning are linked.

When assessment happens during learning, it is usually informal such as when a supervisor gives a trainee feedback on how they are getting on with a particular aspect of their work. There are other forms of assessment that occur on the job which are explained in detail when someone registers to become an assessor with Primary ITO.

2 Assessment is an ongoing process, not a one-off event.

When well designed and implemented, assessment provides opportunities for trainees to demonstrate the knowledge and skills required to meet competency standards. It is therefore not just a one-off event that happens between assessors and trainees. Assessment is the evidence gathering process carried out by trainees, verifiers and assessors that supports trainees to achieve what is required for gaining qualifications.

3 Validity and reliability are strengthened when there are several sources of evidence.

Workplace learning frequently involves dividing the roles of teacher or trainer, assessor and evidence collector between different people. This makes workplace learning different from other education settings.

What does it take to be an assessor?

Workplace assessors are committed to the industry and to supporting learners and employers. Our assessors enjoy being able to support trainees and often see it as professional development for themselves as much as for their workplace. Workplace-based assessors are often nominated by others for the role and on the basis of their technical expertise. It is important to also consider other attributes such as good communication skills, literacy and numeracy skills, thoroughness and trustworthiness, because these are essential to being a good assessor. The ability to assess across a range of unit standards requires assessors to have a deep understanding of what they are assessing, as well as the important ‘soft skills.’ No matter the size of your business, if you feel you have the attributes to be a good workplace assessor, get in contact with Primary ITO to discuss this further.

Government support for training and apprenticeships

As of 1 July 2020, the government will cover training fees until 31 December 2022 for training in many of our primary sector industries.

For more information on this fund, and the Apprenticeship Boost for employers, visit

www.primaryito.ac.nz