The integrated view on competence

Abstract

This chapter begins with an outline of the main features of an integrated understanding of competence and how this understanding differs from some other common approaches to competence. Inspired by behaviourism, much competency-based training (CBT) views competence as a series of specific tasks or the behaviours involved in the completion of these tasks. An alternative understanding of competence, favoured, for example, in management and business literature, conceptualises competence as a series of generic attributes or skills. Major difficulties for both of these views are outlined. This is followed by a detailed consideration of an integrated understanding of competence. This approach centres firstly on identifying key occupational tasks (typically somewhere between 10 and 20 of them) and then seeking to elucidate the various attributes required for proficient completion of these key tasks. As well, the integrated view stresses the contextuality of workplace performance. On this view, competence can be summarised as contextualised capability involving an integration of knowledge, skills and attitudes. Beginning with a discussion of the basic logic of the concept of competence, the underpinning principles of the integrated approach are elaborated, as well as its applications in a variety of occupations and for a diversity of purposes and its advantages and limitations. This discussion serves to further distinguish an integrated understanding from rival approaches to competence. Finally, it is argued that the integrated approach accords very well with recent theoretical developments in related topic areas, such as the nature of skills, practice theory and complexity theory.