CAVA vs the Level 3 Award at a glance
Both qualifications sit in the same City & Guilds 6317 suite and share the same knowledge unit. The difference is how many settings you can assess in.
| Level 3 Award in Assessing Competence in the Work Environment | CAVA (Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement) | |
|---|---|---|
| C&G number | 6317-31 | 6317-33 |
| Ofqual reference | 501/1676/9 | 501/1679/4 |
| Units | 301/205 + 302 | 301/205 + 302 + 303 |
| Credits | 9 | 15 |
| Guided learning hours | 54 | 84 |
| Total qualification time | 90 | 150 |
| Where you can assess | Workplace only | Workplace and centre |
| Best for | On-site-only assessors | Most assessors |
The CAVA is the bigger qualification because it adds a third unit. For six extra credits you gain the ability to assess in both settings, which is why it is the common choice.
What do the units actually cover?
The two qualifications share two units and differ by one. Understanding what each unit does makes the choice obvious.
| Unit | Title | In the Award (6317-31)? | In the CAVA (6317-33)? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 301/205 | Understanding the Principles and Practices of Assessment | Yes | Yes |
| 302 | Assess Occupational Competence in the Work Environment | Yes | Yes |
| 303 | Assess Vocational Skills, Knowledge and Understanding | No | Yes |
- Unit 301/205 is the theory of assessment. It is knowledge-only and is in both qualifications.
- Unit 302 is workplace assessment: observing someone do the job, such as watching an installer fit insulation on site. It is in both.
- Unit 303 is assessment away from the workplace: marking assignments, running professional discussions, or assessing a practical task in a training workshop. It is the unit the CAVA adds.
So the single real question is whether you need unit 303.
When the Level 3 Award is enough
The Level 3 Award in Assessing Competence in the Work Environment is enough when you will only ever assess people doing their actual job, in their actual workplace. If every assessment you make is an on-site observation of real work, unit 302 covers it and you do not need unit 303.
This fits some roles well:
- a site supervisor who assesses installers only on live jobs
- an employer assessing their own staff's on-the-job competence
- anyone whose assessment is purely workplace observation, with no centre-based or written assessment
The Award is smaller, 9 credits against 15, so it can be quicker and cheaper. The catch is that it limits you. If your work ever moves into centre-based assessment, you will need to top up to the full certificate.
When you need the CAVA
You need the CAVA when you will assess in a classroom or workshop as well as, or instead of, the workplace, or when you want the flexibility to do both. Most assessor jobs ask for the CAVA precisely because it leaves nothing out: the holder can assess in any setting the role requires.
Choose the CAVA if:
- you will assess learners in a training centre, not only on site
- you will mark assignments, run professional discussions, or assess simulated tasks
- you want one qualification that keeps every assessing role open to you
- you are not certain which settings you will work in
For most people entering assessing, the CAVA is the safer choice. It costs a little more and takes a little longer, but it avoids having to top up later and matches what the majority of employers advertise for. Our full guide to the CAVA covers the qualification in detail.
There is also a knowledge-only award
A third qualification in the suite catches people out. The Level 3 Award in Understanding the Principles and Practices of Assessment (6317-30) contains only the theory unit (301/205). It does not qualify you to assess anyone, because it has no practical unit.
It suits managers, quality staff and others who need to understand assessment without carrying it out. If your goal is to assess learners, this is not the qualification you want: you need at least the 6317-31 Award, and usually the CAVA.
| Qualification | Qualifies you to assess? | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| 6317-30 Award (Understanding) | No — theory only | Managers, quality staff |
| 6317-31 Award (Work Environment) | Yes — workplace only | On-site-only assessors |
| 6317-32 Award (Vocationally Related) | Yes — centre only | Classroom-only assessors |
| 6317-33 CAVA (Certificate) | Yes — both settings | Most assessors |
How much does each cost?
Course prices vary widely between providers, so the honest answer is to compare quotes, but the size difference gives a reliable guide. The Award (6317-31) is 9 credits and 90 hours total qualification time; the CAVA (6317-33) is 15 credits and 150 hours. The CAVA generally costs more because it is a bigger qualification with an extra practical unit, but choosing the Award to save money is a false economy if you later need centre assessment and have to top up to the full certificate. Weigh the price difference against the risk of paying twice.
Frequently asked questions
Can I upgrade from the Award to the CAVA later?
Yes. Because the CAVA contains the same units as the Award plus unit 303, you can top up by completing the extra unit. Check with your provider, as the exact process and cost depend on the awarding organisation and how your original qualification was recorded.
Which assessor qualification do most employers ask for?
Most employers and awarding organisations ask for the CAVA, because it covers both workplace and centre assessment. If a job advert just says "assessor qualification" or "TAQA Level 3", it almost always means the CAVA.
Do I need unit 303 to assess on a construction or retrofit NVQ?
If you assess only by observing real work on site, unit 302 covers it and the Award may be enough. If you also assess knowledge through professional discussions, written work or workshop tasks, you need unit 303, and therefore the CAVA. Many retrofit NVQs involve both, so the CAVA is usually the safer choice.
Is the Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement (6317-32) the same as the Award in Assessing Competence?
No. The 6317-32 Award pairs the theory unit with unit 303 (centre-based assessment), while the 6317-31 Award pairs it with unit 302 (workplace assessment). They cover opposite practical settings. The CAVA combines both.
Do these assessor qualifications expire?
No. None of the 6317 assessor qualifications expire. Employers and awarding organisations expect evidence of current practice and up-to-date occupational competence in the subject you assess.
How Nexis Academy can help
Nexis Academy is a City & Guilds Approved Centre (T91185) in Manchester. Assessing and quality assurance courses are in development as part of our growing portfolio, so contact our team to register your interest.
Thinking about the wider route in? See how to become a vocational assessor and what an IQA does. We are also recruiting qualified assessors: see careers at Nexis Academy.
See also are A1 and D32/D33 assessor qualifications still valid?
Sources
- City & Guilds, Level 3 and 4 Awards and Certificates in Assessment and Quality Assurance (6317) Qualification Handbook v1.8, November 2025: qualification table (GLH, TQT, regulatory reference numbers) and unit structures for 6317-30, 6317-31, 6317-32 and 6317-33.