How To Become a Lead IQA

The Level 4 Certificate in Leading the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice is the highest IQA qualification and provides learners with the knowledge and skills to become a lead IQA. Lead IQAs have many of the same duties as standard IQAs but with a few additional responsibilities.

In this article, we explain everything you need to know about being a lead IQA, including the job role, the salary and the qualifications you need for the job.

What does a lead IQA do?

An internal quality assurer is responsible for ensuring assessments within an organisation are conducted fairly and to a high standard. 

The internal quality assurer has many responsibilities, including:

• Checking that assessors meet the requirements for their role
• Planning and preparing monitoring activities
• Observing trainer and assessor performance.

To learn more about the IQA role, including the full list of IQA responsibilities, check out our article.

Lead IQAs have a few additional responsibilities to standard IQAs. This is because lead IQAs must complete an additional unit that provides learners with the knowledge and skills to plan, allocate and monitor work in their own area of responsibility. Lead IQAs can manage a team of IQAs and demonstrate their managerial skills for a team.

Additional responsibilities include:

• Producing a work plan for their own area of responsibility
• Allocating and agreeing responsibilities with team members
• Monitoring progress and quality of work in their own area of responsibility
• Reviewing and amending plans of work for their own area of responsibility

Roadmap to success – how to become a lead IQA

Get relevant work experience

Begin with gaining relevant work experience. This will lay a strong foundation for your career as a lead IQA.

Keep up to date with industry changes, standards and regulations

Stay abreast of the ever-evolving industry changes, standards and regulations. This knowledge will equip you to maintain high standards of quality assurance.

Network with other professionals

Build connections with other professionals in the industry. Networking will not only improve your learning and development but also open avenues for career opportunities.

Find an opportunity to work with 2 assessors who each must have two learners to assist

Take a hands-on approach by finding opportunities to work closely with two assessors, each managing two learners. This experience will provide you with insights into the working dynamics of an assessment process.

Complete the Level 4 Certificate in Leading the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice

Further your qualifications by obtaining a Level 4 Certificate in Leading the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice. This certification will demonstrate your suitability for a lead IQA role.

Search for a job role

Tailor your CV to the role that you are applying for. Include all completed qualifications and relevant experience. This will showcase your suitability for the role.

What is the salary of a lead IQA?

The average salary of an IQA in the UK is £29,408 per year or £15.08 per hour. 

Lead IQAs will be on the higher end of the salary range and can expect to make up to as much as £39,000 per year.

Lead IQAs also have many progression opportunities, with many choosing to move on to careers in learning and development.

Where can I find a lead IQA job?

Many organisations across a range of industries require an IQA. You can look for jobs on specific company websites or search for jobs on an online job site such as reed or indeed.

What qualifications do I need to become a lead IQA?

To become a lead IQA you will need to complete the The Level 4 Certificate in Leading the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice.

This course is for those who are already an IQA with a Level 4 Award and are looking to progress into a higher role with greater responsibilities.

The course is made up of three units:

1. Understanding the principles and practices of internally assuring the quality of assessment
2. Internally assure the quality of assessment
3. Plan, allocate and monitor work in own area of responsibility

This qualification involves a mixture of online theory and in-person practical work. You must have access to work with two assessors as part of the qualification, who each must have two learners to assess.

With CTC Training, you can complete the course at your own pace. The course takes approximately 170 hours to complete and you can spread these out over 12 months however you like. Our 24/7 student portal allows you to complete the online portion of this qualification at any time of day, any day of the week.

Unlock your potential today with CTC Training. Enrol on a course for a one-off payment or on a monthly payment plan and start your qualification today. Feel free to contact our team for more information.