GQA Qualifications Blog

Thursday 15 March 2012

Make Professional Discussions work for you


GQA will be running the Make Professional Discussions work for you  CPD event on the 25th April 2012 at Auto Windscreens, Chesterfield and 15th May 2012 venue to be confirmed.

Course overview

This CPD event is a 1 day interactive event that has been designed specifically around the delivery of GQA qualifications but many of the practices can be used across qualifications in other occupational roles.

What is sometimes described or presented as a Professional Discussion is in reality a question and answer session. There is a place for Q&A sessions; this course is intended to help you understand the difference and see the benefits of an effective Professional Discussion. The benefits apply to both Candidates and Assessors; some candidates are far more at ease with the Professional Discussion finding it less intimidating than straightforward questioning. As an Assessor a well prepared and structured Professional Discussion will allow you the opportunity to draw out the required response and range of information that questioning alone will not do. If the Professional Discussion is recorded, either on audio or video, it also saves time in writing reports and deciphering candidate’s (and Assessor) handwriting.

The event will use a combination of examples of good and bad practice in Professional Discussions, practical activities, group discussions, tutor input and a range of exercises to develop skills, knowledge and understanding of how to plan, conduct and evidence Professional Discussions. The event will be highly interactive and be delivered through coaching and facilitation to ensure all delegates achieve their desired outcomes from the day.

The day will cover every stage of Professional Discussion; this is just another tool in the Assessor toolkit and requires the same approach as other assessment methods; Plan, Assess, Review, Feedback.  Professional Discussion used correctly will allow candidates to relate evidence that can be used holistically, something that is not often possible with more specific Q&A sessions, Professional Discussion can also help overcome difficulties a candidate may have with, for example, dyslexia or a lack of confidence in written skills.  The session will allow plenty of time for delegates to raise any queries about the use of Professional Discussion.

Target Audience

This event is suitable for qualified assessors, new assessors, and assessors in development. You may never have used Professional Discussion, either through lack of opportunity or lack of understanding, if so this course is ideal for you. At the same time if you have used Professional Discussion before this is a great opportunity to consider different approaches and share your experiences with others. We are confident there is something for everybody in this course.

Resources

Delegates will be provided with comprehensive resources including delegate pack and a range of handouts that will be useful both during and after the workshop.

Course Leader

The event will be delivered by a highly experienced External Verifier with comprehensive experience of the use of Professional Discussion.  All courses are quality assured with an assessment of the learning and successful delegates will receive a GQA Certificate.

Price: £75 (including lunch and refreshments)

Please Contact Emma at GQA to book your place Tel: 0114 2720033