Competency Assessor Training Courses
Competence development and assessment must form part of the strategic operations planning for all heritage railways and tramways. There is, accordingly, a need for suitable competence assessment and for assessor training, so the Heritage Railway Associaton is running a further series of these popular short courses for assessors.
Bookings for 2026 are now open!
What is Competence?
“The ability to work to an agreed standard on a regular basis. It involves practical and thinking skills, experience and knowledge, and may include a willingness to follow agreed standards, rules and procedures. The combination required depends on what needs to be done, in what circumstances and how well. Competence is vital in controlling health and safety risks on the railway, especially in abnormal, degraded and emergency operations.” - Office of Rail and Road.
Option one
Level 3 Award in Understanding the Principles and Practices of Assessment.
A one-day online or in-person training event, which delivers the knowledge required to answer questions on the practices and principles of assessment. On successful completion the attendees will receive the nationally recognised Level 3 Award.
Option two
Level 3 Award in Assessing Competence in the Work Environment.
In addition to the course above, this option adds a second day to gain a formal qualification with certificate.
For assessors who assess competence in a work environment which requires the use of the following assessment methods: observation, examining work products or outputs, oral questioning, discussion, use of witness testimony, learner statements and recognition of prior learning.
Please note – spaces on these courses are very limited and early booking is advisable.
Who is the training aimed at?
Anybody whose role includes the assessment of the competence of others.
A learner handbook is provided which covers all the areas that will be discussed on the course as well as the questions to answer. The answers will need to be submitted to the trainer within one week post-course to be assessed. Therefore you should plan time for your written work after the course.
Before the course you should read the handbook and review your organisation’s assessment policies and procedures, as well as any on quality assurance and learner appeals within training and assessment. If the latter are not readily available the course will include information to allow you to describe how these should be implemented and hopefully give you knowledge to assist with including these in future.
The Trainer
John Arnold is a qualified adult trainer and will deliver all of the training sessions. He has experience for delivering technical training, assessment and verification services to Heritage Railways, Fire and Rescue Services and Civil Aviation Sites. John is a member of the HRA’s Membership, Training and Education Committee.
Course dates
Option one takes place on July 4, 2026.
Option two takes place on July 4 and 5, 2026.
Both options take place in person only at the Middleton Railway in Leeds.
Book now
