by: Whirlwind - 15-10-08 19:54
Would appreciate any information I am thinking of having a career change would like to use my existing knowledge of early years any suggestions anyone? I am thinking maybe an assessor- anyone tell me what this entails and what qualifications I need, or maybe a tutor at college
by: Millie
Hi Whirlwind
To become an assessor you need to be vocationally competent in the areas you wish to assess. Therefore you should hold an NVQ3 or equivalent if you wish to assess in this area.
You will then need to find an FE College or training provider that is willing to take you on and train you to become an Assessor attaining the A1 award. Also you will need to look into begining a PETALS course, which will train you in teaching, guiding your students and the methadology behind it.
Be warned though - most companies only take you on and pay you by the candidate and you often get between £15.00-£20.00 per hour and usually there is an overall capping of what they will actually pay out on each candidate, your tax etc., also comes out of this. When you talk to assessors you will find that they spend more time than the job is actually paying! - This is unless you can find a company that will actually employ you on a proper part time or full time basis, but these are far and few between.
The Petals course will also help if you wish to tutor on the Early Years Curriculum, but usually within 18 months of starting with FE colleges or training providers you will then need to do a fully certified adult teaching course - such as DETTALS. You will then need to register with the Institute for Learning to become either an affiliate member or higher. Workshop Tutors can earn approx £25.00 per hour - but then it does not include mileage, preparation time or marking assignments - However it does pay if you can find a FE provider that will take you on to teach the 16+ students Childcare as this will usually be a part time or full time position, and again they will probably pay for your training with fingers crossed.
Try your local colleges first to see what they suggest - talk to their NVQ co-ordinators, this will be a starting point for you.
Good luck
by: Whirlwind
Millie,
Thank you so much for your advice, I will email my local college and ask what suggestions they have.
