What are competencies considered to be?

Competencies are defined as the identified skills necessary for specific jobs. This understanding emphasizes that competencies go beyond general abilities and focus on the particular skills and knowledge required to perform effectively in a specific role. Organizations often delineate competencies to ensure employees are equipped with the essential capabilities needed to meet job demands and contribute to organizational objectives.

By focusing on the specific requirements of a job, competencies help in various areas such as recruitment, performance evaluation, and career development. They serve as benchmarks for developing training programs and assessing employee readiness for particular tasks. This targeted approach contrasts with general skills applicable to any job, which may be too broad and not tailored to the needs of specific positions. Therefore, identifying competencies allows for a more precise alignment of skills with job functions, fostering an effective and skilled workforce.