Competency Based Training- A key to corporate productivity

Image of a training session at a company

Competence is a global phenomenon. It cuts across cultures and is viewed by different peoples with considerable consistency.

In most developed countries like Australia, France and Germany the average working time is shorter than those of developing countries . People can work less and yet produce more because of factors like technology and competence which increase productivity.

Competence means getting the job done successfully and efficiently. It also means using the optimum amount of time and resources that produces the best results to get the job done. 

This is an aspect of economic development that a lot of developing countries have paid little attention to. So, it is worth taking an extensive look into this concept of ‘competence’ and competency based training considering how much they can impact productivity. That is what this article hopes to achieve.

Meaning of competency based training

Competency based training is a learning model designed to ensure that at each stage, trainees have acquired desired skills and can use them in a practical way before proceeding further with training.

This kind of training is focused on identifying skill gaps in trainees and closing them. Employers can find competency based training very useful when they want to ensure that their staff can perform key tasks efficiently. 

Some useful Global  statistics on competency based training

Let us go over some important statistics on competency based training;

  • A 2020 report by the International labour organisation revealed that 56% of employers reported skill gaps in their work force.
  • The same report revealed that 85% of surveyed employers prefer to hire candidates that received competency based training.
  • A 2020 study by Brandon Hall Group found that organisations that used simulation to train employees reported a 70% increase in employee engagement compared to more traditional methods. Also 75% of workers reported better knowledge retention and an improved ability to apply skills after simulated training.
  • A report by the The Association Of American Colleges And Universities revealed that 93% of employers value important skills like critical thinking and communication over a candidate’s undergraduate major.
  • According to Gallup, companies are 17% more productive and 21% more profitable when employees are given the training they need.

Aims of competency based training

There are various aims of competency based training which inform what constitutes a proper competency based training. Some of these aims include;

  • Ensuring trainees gain a deep and practical understanding of the skills being taught.
  • Ensuring trainees are well prepared to use their skills to perform tasks effectively.
  • Giving teachers or instructors the opportunity to give feedback to trainees where it matters.
  • Reshaping the way trainees see learning and prepares them to dedicate themselves to consistent learning even as skills and knowledge constantly evolve.
  • Ensuring that there is an effective system for assessing students’ newly learnt skills.

As a result of these aims, competency based training is usually characterised by the following;

  • There are clearly defined learning outcomes when delivering competency based training.
  • Trainees should be able to receive consistent feedback and the necessary support to enable them to gain deep and practical knowledge of the concepts.
  • It is designed for individual learners and allows them to acquire skills in a flexible learning environment.
  • There are also competency based assessments instead of the conventional tests one might see in a more traditional type of training.

Competency Based Assessment

Competency based assessment is a way of measuring if a trainee has achieved a specific desired learning outcome. Simply put, it is a way of knowing if competency has been achieved. It is an essential component of any competency based training.

There are several ways to measure if learning outcomes have been achieved such as observation by trainers, practical tests or references from supervisors or employers.

Core competencies and key concepts

Core competencies can be described as the unique capabilities a business has that gives it an advantage in the marketplace.

Successful businesses have unique selling points-some value they can deliver for customers better than anyone else. But ultimately, this ability boils down to the abilities of the individual workers in the organisation.

According to a Harvard business review article  by Prahalad and Hamel, a corporation should view itself  as “ A portfolio of competencies”.

Some key characteristics of a company’s core competencies include;

  • It should be unique 
  • It should be difficult for competitors to imitate.
  • It should provide value to customers.

Who benefits from competency based training?

Competency based training directly benefits the trainees as they improve their productivity which can enable them to grow in their careers and achieve more.

However, employers also benefit from more productive employees which can make their organisations more profitable.

Bottom line 

Competency based training is a strategy for building a highly productive workforce that can create desirable outcomes. Developing nations like Nigeria can really benefit from adopting competency based training in critical sectors especially where improving the productivity of workers is more practical than increasing their number (when resources are scarce)

For example, if security operatives are successfully trained to close identified skills gaps, the resulting competence can improve their productivity, reputation and help in areas like intelligence gathering when they are trusted by citizens. Imagine the impact of improved security on the Nigerian economy.

However, the challenge lies in identifying the skills gap effectively, designing suitable learning outcomes and delivering the desired training.

2 comments
  1. Is traditional education failing to adequately prepare individuals for the demands of the modern workforce, and should companies prioritize competency-based training over traditional degrees when hiring new employees?”,
    “refusal

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