During Scottish Apprenticeship Week we thought it would be good to do a series of blogs called, “Meet the Assessor.” These are designed to help employers and apprentices gain an insight into the role of an assessor. Starting the series is Angela Murray who is a Hospitality SVQ Assessor.
My occupation background is primarily in a range of hospitality roles, ranging from bar work and general catering to management in different roles for companies across Scotland.
I have a range of qualifications that help me deliver my job role effectively, HND Hospitality Management, SIA licence, Personal Licence, First Aid, Assessor Qualification and Food Hygiene to name a few.
I am currently a Hospitality SVQ Assessor for Ayrshire College, where I help to develop and look after Scotland’s hospitality future. I have been an assessor for over two years and have been fortunate enough to work with a range of workforces and companies throughout Scotland.
The best parts of my job are seeing apprentices develop from day one and then attain a qualification for their career to develop and achieve their dreams in industry.”
So, what does SVQ Assessor involve and what companies do I visit? I use my experience and training to assess the work of others to establish occupational competence, usually in the work place. I work with the organisations and companies to develop the workforce in the hospitality industry.”
To give you an example of my day; today I visited Dalmellington House where I carried out an observation of an apprentice working in the kitchen during the morning service, creating dishes and maintaining food safety. I then visited Trump Turnberry and met with the Management Team and a new apprentice who was completing her paperwork for a Level 2 Professional Cookery SVQ.
I work with a range of companies that have and offer a hospitality element within them. Some of the types of companies I have assessed in are, garden centres, bars, hotels, guest houses, golf resorts, Rolls Royce catering unit, care homes, schools, casinos, museums, and tourist attractions.
I have assessed many of apprentices over my two years as a SVQ Assessor, and the best advice I can give to ensure a Modern Apprentice will be successful in achieving their award is:
Apprentices need the appropriate level of competence in their field of expertise, at least six months experience within the relevant job role at the level appropriate to the qualification, a contract of employment, suitable working conditions and a supervisor/manager/trainer in place. They need to be working to a company’s policies and procedures, able to show they can comply with national standards and all relevant legislation. The apprentice would also need to be committed to their own learning and development and have a desire to achieve a qualification.
Assessment takes place in different forms; it can be direct observations, products of work, written questions and answers, a witness testimony and reflective accounts.
I would work with the apprentice to plan visits, discuss what would be taking place during the visit and what the candidate needs to work on between visits. Assessors are available to support and help direct the apprentice to achieve all the criteria that is needed for the individual units they are undertaking.
Working as an Assessor I have witnessed first-hand how valued and sought after modern apprentices are to employers. Hospitality in Scotland is always growing and thriving as an industry, with companies expanding and taking on more and more employees. This makes it a perfect sector to start a promising career and develop yourself and move up the ladder within the industry. Wherever you wish to begin and take your career in hospitality, there really is no limit!
To find out more about our Modern Apprenticeships in Housekeeping, Professional Cookery, Front of House/Reception, Food & Beverage Services, Hospitality, Supervision & Leadership and Hospitality Management Skills, email educationcontracts@ayrshire.ac.uk.
See our blog on why hospitality is a great career choice.
Video links
Inspiring Hospitality Careers
Scottish Apprenticeship Week: Emma Tait – Cecchini’s
Scottish Apprenticeship Week: Paul Tyrrell – Trump Turnberry
School – College Courses: Professional Cookery: Ashley from Kyle Academy
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Ayrshire College Blog 