INFORMATION SHEET 1.

1-3
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;

The Competency Standard is the main basis of Competency-Based Training. All learning
materials shall be based on the assessment criteria of each competency.

In this lesson, you will be introduced to the CS which will be helpful in planning your training
activities. You may need a copy of the Competency Standards of your qualification to better
understand this lesson.

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.

Unit of Competency
Together all the parts of the unit of competency:
• Describe a work activity
• Guide the trainer in determining whether the learner is competent.

Each part of the unit of competency was written with the purpose of achieving these two
aims.

PARTS OF COMPETENCY STANDARD

UNIT OF COMPETENCY

UNIT OF DESCRIPTOR

ELEMENTS PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

RANGE OF VARIABLES

EVIDENCE GUIDE

1. Unit Title
 Define 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 block 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)
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 Variables
 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 successfulperformance.
 It identifies the essential
o Productive evidence - completes workplace/service to specification
o Process evidence -
 Complies with industry practice and procedures
 Complies with OH&S practice
:Examples:
o Sets up tools and equipment
o Handle tools, materials and equipment
o Identifies and solves faults and problems
o 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)
SUMMARY

Unit of Competency
• Describe a work activity
• Guide the trainer in determining whether the learner is competent.

PARTS OF COMPETENCY STANDARD

1. Unit Title
2. Unit Descriptor
3. Elements and Performance Criteria
4. Elements
5. Performance Criteria
6. Range of Variables
7. Evidence Plan
8. Critical Aspect of Competency
9. Underpinning Knowledge
10. Underpinning Skills

Self-Check 1.1-3
Multiple Choice:
Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the letter of your choice on your answer sheet.
1. 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 is the
A. Training Regulations
B. Competency Standards
C. Competency-Based Curriculum
D. Competency Based Learning Materials

2. The building blocks of a unit of competency that describes the worker is able to perform are the
A. Elements
B. Skills
C. Tasks
D. Performance criteria

3. This part of the competency standard identifies the knowledge evidence, productive evidence and
process evidence that are essential for successful performance of the competency.
A. Evidence plan
B. Underpinning knowledge
C. Underpinning skills
D. Critical aspects of the competency

4. This part of the competency standards defines boundaries within which the unit of competency
applies
A. Evidence Plan
B. Nominal duration
C. Range of variables
A. D. Critical aspects of the competency

5. Generic and industry specific skills needed to achieve the elements and performance criteria are
listed in this part of the competency standards.
A. Evidence plan
B. Underpinning knowledge
C. Underpinning skills
 D. Critical aspects of the competency

6. This part of the CS describes in output terms the functions that a person who works in a particular
area of work is able to do.
A. Elements
B. Evidence plan
C. Performance criteria
D. Underpinning knowledge

7. These are the evaluative statements that specify what is to be assessed and the required level of
performance.
A. Elements
B. Evidence plan
C. Performance criteria
D. D. Underpinning knowledge
Answer Key 1.1-3
(Chage color to BLACK to view Answer Key)
1. B
2. A
3. D
4. C
5. C
6. A
7. C