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The concept of competency

Competency is the combination of knowledge and skills required for the performance of a task or job.In the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector we stay within the workplace context.

VET competencies must closely reflect the workplace needs. Competencies are specified as “Units of Competencies” in Training Packages. These have been developed from industry required skills and knowledge at different levels in different workplace roles.

It specifies fixed outcomes and says nothing on how to achieve them e.g. Trainees starting at different points can follow different paths to achieve the unit of competency. The units of competencies states how the outcomes must be judged.

An assessor is responsible for intimately understanding the form, content and requirements of units of competency and the assessment guidelines from the relevant training package and unit of competency to be assessed.

To be judged competent, trainees must demonstrate the performance of:

• All elements of competency
• All items of required knowledge
• All items of required skills
• Any pre-requisite or co-requisite required
• Any other mandated knowledge or skills in the range statement and evidence guide

Through an assessment process conducted so that it meets:

• Any mandated condition found in the unit of competency