What are the components of a unit of competency?

In Australia’s Vocational Education and Training (VET) system we have Training Packages.

Training Packages are made up of Units of Competency.

Units of Competency are made up of the following parts:

• A code and title – the title almost always starts with a verb
• Application – describing how the unit is applied in the workplace, and what roles it applies to.
• Pre-requisites – what someone has to do before completing the unit
• Elements – the broad outcome
• Performance criteria – what someone needs to do to achieve the outcome
• Foundation skills – skills essential to being competent (e.g. reading, writing, technology, oral communication).
• Assessment Requirements – a section which includes the following
• Performance Evidence – what your students must do and show to be competent
• Knowledge Evidence – it would be hard to perform the performance criteria, without knowing this stuff
• Assessment Conditions – specific requirements for how the assessment should be conducted. Includes things like resources, and assessor credentials.

In case you missed it, here’s a recording of a recent Professional Development session which was attended by over 100 Vocational Education practitioners seeking to refresh their understanding of:

• What is ‘competence’?
• Units of Competency
• A strategy for ‘unpacking’ Units of Competency

In the session we also discussed tips and suggestions.

Watch the video or you can video the slide deck below for more info.

Join our free community

Did you know that each month we run a free professional development session for Vocational Education and Training (VET) practitioners? People who attend the session get a certification of attendance for their PD records. We also have a fortnightly newsletter where we keep you up to date with the latest sessions, events and news.

Join our Community

View the Slide Deck