Define competency. Identify competency categories prevailed in your organisation or the organisation you are acquainted with. Briefly describe each category of competency. Also describe the organisation you are referring to.
A competency is a skill, capability or characteristic that leads to success in a particular role. Within an organizational context, it includes the knowledge, skills and attributes that define exemplary performance in a specific work process. Generally speaking, competencies can be divided into three categories: managerial competencies, interpersonal competencies and technical competencies. Managerial competencies consist of the skills and abilities required for exemplary organizational leadership. Interpersonal competencies include the skills needed to communicate effectively, and to build positive relationships with others. Technical competencies consist of skills related to a particular function which enable one to be proficient at a task or a series of tasks.
When we talk of competency it is imperative to know the levels of competency such as practical competency (An employee's demonstrated ability to perform a set of tasks) Foundational competence (An employee's demonstrated understanding of what and why he / she is doing) Reflexive competence (An employee's ability to integrate actions with the understanding of the action so that he / she learns from those actions and adapts to the changes as and when they are required) and Applied competence (An employee's demonstrated ability to perform a set of tasks with understanding and reflexivity)
I am familiar with HCC - Howard Community College. It is a dynamic, creative learning community that strives to meet challenges by providing innovative solutions leading to learning breakthroughs for all students. Howard Community College (HCC) offers a wide range of academic pursuits and extracurricular activities for students of all ages and walks of life. The HCC campus features a Science and Technology Building, home to lasers, robots, computers, satellite links, and other tools for high-tech learning.
About 5,000 students pursue studies at HCC in a variety of academic programs leading to transfer to four-year colleges or immediate employment upon graduation. An additional 12,000 students take courses for personal or professional development.
Competency Categories in Howard Community College
1. Communication – COMn
Effective Notetaking
Utilizing effective techniques to enhance the speed, accuracy and comprehension of personal notes regarding speeches, meetings, or video presentations
Foreign Languages
Possessing rudimentary language ability sufficient to complete essential transactions common to work group
Interpersonal Communications
Participating effectively in informal conversations and discussions
Interviewing Skills
Setting the interviewee at ease, asking questions that zero in on job requirements and observing
confidentiality and integrity of interview proceedings
Public Speaking
Preparing and successfully delivering short professional reports to an audience of unknown
colleagues
Writing - memos, reports, evaluations
Understanding the requirements of the various types of written communication typical of job category and composing representative examples
2. Effective Work Habits: WHAB
Time Management/ Organizational Skills
Learning to be efficient by prioritizing, making appropriate decisions and anticipating and assessing needs; allocating time and resources to reflect priorities; managing multiple tasks
Change Management
Handling the human side of change, understanding others' resistance to change, and the basic do's and don'ts in change management process including selfcare strategies and risk-taking
Process Improvement
Using cross-functional and departmental teams to eliminate redundancies and improve quality control Phone System Working knowledge of the main functions of the college's phone and voicemail system
Help Desk Procedures
Selecting, applying and assessing hardware and software needs and seeking appropriate consultation Internet Skills Gaining a basic knowledge of world wide web and research applications including web page design software
Baldrige Approach to Organizational Improvement
Becoming aware of the fundamental concept behind the Baldrige Criteria
3. Interpersonal Interaction: IPER
Giving and Receiving Feedback
Eliciting and accepting constructive criticism and using it for improvement
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
Being alert to and aware of breaking situations (foresee problems) and being able to think through quickly to resolve them
Dealing Effectively in Special Situations
Learning to identify a person's "special" needs (physical, mental, situational) and to respond
professionally and humanely; being aware of the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act
Team Building
Working together as a team; understanding different work styles; keeping focused on the team's objectives and long-term goals
Team Participation: within and across units
Participating on a project or work team as a leader/participant using CQI tools
Multiculturalism: Awareness, Acceptance, Communication in a Global Society
Understanding common dimensions of cultural difference and performing job tasks for culturally diverse customers
4. leadership - lSHP
Benchmarking Best Practices
Utilizing practices and resources that result in the reduction and control of expenses and increase in output and quality (core work and strategic initiative performance measures and benchmarks)
Budget Management
Differentiating between operating and capital budgets, online budget management, producing query reports.
Decision Making
Analyzing problems, gathering data, developing solutions and evaluating the consequences
Meeting Management
Running effective and efficient meetings that promote participation and result in useful outcomes.
Negotiating/ Influencing
Learning effective skills to bring about desired unit or individual results
Project Management
Learning to develop timelines, milestones and specified outcomes
Strategic Thinking
Developing strategies for the future; thinking through ramifications before acting; identifying factors critical to success
Inclusionary Management & Planning
Including staff in the development and review of core work, strategic plans, and budget development
Facilitative Leadership
Exercising leadership by facilitating and encouraging success of individuals and team, and putting it above personal agendas
5. Organizational Knowledge: ORGK
Access and Responsibility
Using college resources, facilities and data appropriately.
Administrative Policies and Procedures
Understanding the college governance model; overview of current policies and procedures
College Mission, Values and Vision
Reviewing the purpose and beliefs that provide the foundation for college curriculum and services
Curriculum, Programs and Services
Gaining familiarity of credit and non-credit courses, programs and services available to students and the general public.
Record keeping and Retention
Gaining familiarity with college-wide plan and implementation strategies
6. Safety: SFTY and Wellness: WELL
Conflict Resolution
Identifying causes of conflict and diffusing emotional situations through the use of appropriate strategies.
General Safety Regulations
Maintaining a safe environment by being aware of possible safety hazards in order to prevent accidents from happening.
Sexual harassment Avoidance
Gaining a better understanding of what sexual harassment is and isn't so that the college can provide a secure environment for employees
Wellness Program
Balancing work, home and health by making healthy lifestyle choices
Stress Management
Learning to identify your stressors and either avoid them or learn to effectively manage stress
7. Supervision - SUPR
Delegation and Empowerment
Learning to delegate appropriately, to empower supportively and to avoid micro-management
Mentoring, Coaching and Teaching
Learning to mentor, coach and teach; helping staff grow and succeed in a supportive environment
Performance Appraisal and Evaluation
Learning appraisal techniques that help employees learn and grow rather than feel put down and blamed; motivating employees to complete required training
Recruitment, Hiring and Retaining Employees
Reviewing HCC procedures on recruitment and hiring and following the process effectively and efficiently
Motivational Skills
Motivating staff by setting goals, encouraging improvements, and rewarding achievement.
PLEASE HELP US SHARE THIS ARTICLE
About the Author
0Your Comments on this Article!