Competency Standards

Learning Objectives

After reading this information sheet, you must be able to:

1.      define competency standard;

2.     identify the parts of the Competency Standard;

3.     identify the elements and performance criteria of your competency;

Competency Standard

Competency Standard (CS) is the written specification of the  knowledge, skills and attitudes and values required for the performance of a job, occupation or trade and the corresponding standard of performance required for these in the workplace.

1.      Unit Title

•        Defines the area of competency

•        Written in output terms - ‘obtain, prepare and supply materials for production’ [verb]

•        Comprise a manageable component of work

2.     Unit Descriptor

•        Outlines what is done in the workplace

•        Expands on information in the title

•        Clarifies scope and intent of the unit

•        Helps to differentiate competencies with similar titles

3.     Elements and Performance Criteria

Elements describe in output terms the functions that a person who works in a particular area of work is able to do.

Performance criteria are evaluative statements that specify what is to be assessed and the required level of performance.

4.    Elements

•        Building blocks of a unit of competency

•        Describe in outcome terms the functions that a person who works in a particular area of work is able to perform [start with a verb]

•        Describes actions or outcomes that are demonstrable and assessable and which the candidate must attain.

5.     Performance Criteria

•        Specifies what is assessed and the required level of performance.

•        Precise standards of the competency

•        Covers all components/ dimensions of competency

•        Focus on evidence to prove competency evaluative statements

6.    Range of Variable

•        Describes the curriculum or context in which the work is to be performed.

•        Defines the boundaries within which the unit of competency applies

•        Range of situations that should be the focus of assessment

•        Relates to the unit of competency as a whole

•        Allows for insertion of specific knowledge and enterprise requirements

7.     Evidence Plan

•        The purpose of the evidence guide is to guide the assessor in the collection of evidence

•        It must be related directly to: the elements and performance criteria  and range of variables.

8.    Critical Aspect of Competency

•        Tells     the    assessor     what     evidence    is    essential     for    successful performance.

•          It identifies the essential:

Ø  Productive       evidence      –     completes      workplace/service        to specification

Ø  Knowledge evidence – things that must be known

Ø  Process evidence

± Complies with industry practice and procedures

± Complies with OH&S practice Examples:

v  Sets up tools and equipment

v  Handle tools, materials and equipment

v  Identifies and solves faults and problems

v  Communicate with others to ensure safe and effective operations

9.    Underpinning Knowledge

•        knowledge or concepts involved in performing skills  of  the  competency.

•        It includes: Specific knowledge that is essential to the performance of the competency and evidence of knowledge of legislation, regulations and Codes of Practice

10.      Underpinning Skills

•        skills needed to achieve the elements and performance criteria in the unit of competency.

•        It includes both: generic skills (communication) and industry specific skills (hand tools)