Competence and competency-based training: What the literature says

This literature review was commissioned by the National Quality Council as part of a joint initiative with the Council of Australian Governments to examine the framework underpinning the national training system.

It provides an historical account of the development of competency-based (CBT) training in Australia and summarises the issues arising from a number of reviews conducted on elements of the national training system. It also explores the variety of ways in which competence is conceived both in Australia and overseas.

The literature suggests that:

• competence can be conceptualised in two broad ways. One takes a view that competence is a personal construct, while the other grounds competence in the context of an occupation and even a particular workplace. It suggests that a balance needs to be struck between these two constructs

• support for CBT and training packages remains strong, but that attention needs to be given to the quality of both delivery and assessment. The literature also suggests that training packages could be better understood and used, and that some refining of the underpinning concepts, processes and products is required

• the professionalism of vocational education and training teachers and trainers needs to be reemphasised and enhanced. The literature also suggests that perhaps it is time to revisit the nature and level of training for VET’s professional staff.

Tom Karmel
Managing Director, NCVER