In this insightful Q&A, we sit down with Sue Wilson, a seasoned EQA with Skills and Education Group Awards and BIIAB, to demystify the EQA role and explore its impact. Sue shares her extensive experience, shedding light on the responsibilities, benefits, and personal fulfilment of being an EQA. She also provides a comprehensive overview that will be invaluable for anyone interested in understanding or pursuing a career in EQA.

Could you explain what an External Quality Assurer does?

EQAs are the public face of Skills and Education Group, and One of our main functions is to visit centres and meet the staff teams. We are all sector specialists and often the main contact between centres and Skills and Education Group.

EQA’s visit recognised centres annually to monitor the quality and delivery of Skills and Education Group qualifications to ensure that the teaching, assessment and internal quality assurance meets the regulatory framework and that it is safe, consistent and fair. We offer guidance and support to centres, highlight good practices, and share areas for improvement to enable them to achieve the very best for their learners.

Other responsibilities include reviewing the centre’s policies and procedures, ensuring staff have appropriate qualifications, sampling assessment and IQA records, meeting learners and sampling their portfolios. On occasion, EQAs may observe teaching, assessment, and IQA practice.

EQA may also be done remotely once a centre has had successful visits and is performing well. Once experienced as an EQA, you may also be required to undertake an advisory visit to a new centre, as well as centre recognition and qualification approvals.

What attracted you to becoming an EQA with Skills and Education Group?

I had been running a Skills and Education Group centre for many years and had acquired the necessary assessor and IQA qualifications. Becoming an EQA was an opportunity to widen my professional experience, gain another qualification and continue to make a positive contribution to my specialist sector.

I had experience of other awarding organisations but felt more at ease with the values of Skills and Education Group, in particular being able to offer support and guidance to other centres.

Many EQAs enjoy the benefits of flexible working. How does this fit into your life?

I like the flexibility of being an EQA. I can choose to accept an allocation and ensure it fits in with my lifestyle and time available. If I have to travel some distance to visit a centre, I have extended the trip to have a short break, especially if it’s to a new area. I enjoy the freedom I have as an EQA and am sure you will be able to make the most of the opportunities it can bring.

What are some of the key benefits you’ve experienced as an EQA?

One of the main benefits is the opportunity to continue contributing to my specialist sector. With years of experience leading a recognised centre, I can share that knowledge with others in my role as an EQA. I enjoy travelling to centres, meeting new people, creating new networks, and offering guidance and support.

For those considering becoming an EQA, what skills or qualities do you think are essential?

Essential skills include current specialist sector knowledge, digital skills (including learning a range of centres’ e-portfolio systems), the ability to work independently, good digital and face-to-face communication skills, good planning, the ability to give feedback (positive and otherwise), a reflective practitioner, and patience.

How do you ensure you stay up to date with industry changes and standards?

I maintain my sector knowledge through networking with colleagues, attending conferences, standardisation activity, web-based research and updating qualifications if necessary.

What are the most rewarding aspects of your role?

Definitely the strong relationships I have developed with others in my sector around the country and the personal and professional credibility this has given me. It is very rewarding when my input is appreciated and recognised.

I like the travel as well and the ability to fit the role into my busy life!!

Sue Wilson’s insights highlight how rewarding the EQA role is, emphasising flexibility and professional growth. Inspired? Skills and Education Group Awards is seeking qualified EQAs. Find out more.