Assessment is the process of collecting and evaluating evidence to establish the level of a learner's performance.

In PSET, assessment is used to measure a learner's performance against the learning outcomes that have been approved as part of an accredited course. Upon completion of their assessments for a component, a learner receives a grade that shows how well they have met the learning outcomes.

Two types of assessment are used. Competency-based assessment is used in courses that consist of units of competency. Achievement-based assessment is used in all other courses, mainly those at level 5 and above.

Details of and requirements for designing and conducting quality assessment can be found in the PSET Assessment Policy.

To help ensure the consistency of outcomes and the credibility of VQF qualifications, VQA has a quality assurance process for assessment in place. This process is called Assessment Moderation (Moderation in short).

There are two types of moderation:

• Internal moderation is a process that is carried out internally by the registered PSET provider. Details of the process to follow can be found on the Internal Moderation page. 
  
  Providers must apply to have their learners' grades approved by VQA. Approval will only be given if the provider has followed the prescribed processes and can demonstrate evidence of a rigorous process of internal moderation. Further details are found on the Approval of Learner Grades page.
  
  
• External moderation is a process that is carried out by one or more people independent of the registered PSET provider. For courses leading to national qualifications, this process is the responsibility of VQA. For courses leading to provider qualifications, it is the responsibility of the provider.

Details of the above can be found in the Assessment Moderation for PSET Policy and the PSET Assessment and Moderation Guidelines for Providers.

The VQA is governed by the VQA Board.

Under the direction of the VQA Board, the Chief Executive Officer provides leadership to the VQA Executive and has overall responsibility for four divisions:

1. Office of the Chief Executive Officer,
2. Corporate Services, Research, Planning and Monitoring Division,
3. Quality Assurance and Compliance Division, and
4. Standards and Qualifications Division.

The Corporate Services, Research Planning and Monitoring Division is currently led by the CEO. He has strategic oversight over a broad range of functions, and is also responsible for finance, administration and information and communications technology. The latter serves the VQA operations with a particular emphasis on data and records management. A strong and continuing monitoring and evaluation focus informs policy and planning decisions. The VQA's communication strategies are supported by a discrete information and marketing function.

The Quality Assurance and Compliance Division is responsible for the administration of the Vanuatu Quality Assurance Framework (VQAF) and regulates and facilitates provider registration, course accreditation, approval to deliver, and quality audit for all PSET providers operating in Vanuatu. 

The Standards and Qualifications Division works in close collaboration with industry and productive sector organisations and individuals. Industry representatives and Industry Skills Councils are involved in the development and maintenance of courses and of nationally recognized industry endorsed units of competency.
This division also has responsibility to maintain the Vanuatu Qualifications Framework (VQF), which covers all post-school qualifications. The VQF complements the VQA quality assurance processes by enabling consistent alignment of nationally recognized units of competency and courses to relevant qualification levels.

In the Vanuatu Qualifications Framework (VQF), a Qualification describes what skills you will have once you successfully complete study for this qualification. To get the skills, you will need to enrol in an Accredited Course at a Registered PSET (= Post School Education and Training) Provider that offers the course. If you successfully complete all the different Components (= parts) of the course, then you will gain the qualification.

Each VQF qualification has a level. The level defines the complexity of the skills you will gain when you complete a qualification at a certain level. The higher the level, the more complex the skills will be. 

For example, with a level 1 qualification of Certificate I in Building and Construction (General Construction), you will be able to participate in building and construction projects. You will be able to perform basic tasks, like laying bricks for a wall. You will take instructions from your supervisor on what the wall should look like and how it should be structured.

But, when you have successfully completed the level 4 qualification of Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Supervisor), one of your employment options will be to be the supervisor on the construction site, who determines what work should be done, who should do it, and make sure that it is all done well and according to the plan. You will be the one responsible for the successful completion of the project.

To find out more about the levels of the VQF, continue reading here: The Levels of the VQF.

To download to full document with all the information on the VQF, download the Vanuatu Qualifications Framework document.