Competencies And Competency Based Training

Contents

What is a competency?

A competency is the knowledge, skills and attitude required to complete a task. It is being able to integrate several tasks at once to perform a job role. Doing the job is as much about managing time, solving problems, operating in different places with different people as it is about completing the tasks in your job description.

For more information on units of competency view or download the following: (This page will open up in a new window)
Units of Competency

How are competencies useful?

A. Versatility of competencies: Competencies can be used to assess the training needs of staff, guide recruitment and induction by informing job profiles, be used to appraise staff performance and development and assist with team building. A competency always exists as a group of skills. The combinations of these competencies and skills are the key to developing a model of learning that will permeate throughout an organisation.

B. Motivating through recognition: Highlighting competencies helps to recognise the skills people have developed through their own experience and initiative and are excellent stepping-stones to encourage learning and development. The ability to align competencies with qualifications, especially when work skills are demonstrated and recognised, creates a confident and motivated workforce.

C. Lifelong learning: The nature of particular competencies to promote self-assessment and to encourage the learner to actively participate in the planning of their own learning and development is the best step to take towards making lifelong learning a habit and an integral part of one's working life.

For more information you can visit our other webpages on:

Copyright 2003 Disability In-Service Training Support Service (DISTSS). 

The DISTSS website has been redesigned and maintained by: Linda Budd