Beyond training is competency assurance. If training is simply being given the knowledge, competency is demonstrating that you know how to use it. Competency requires ongoing assessment of skills, not just completing a one-off course. Competence is defined as 'The ability of every director, manager and worker to recognise the risks in their operational activities and then apply the right measures to control and manage those risks' Step Change in Safety (2010).
Put is simply, a lack of competency leads to an increase in cost and downtime and affects workplace morale.
A lack of competency can lead to incidents with potentially devastating effects. To satisfy the HSE, employers must have an effective Competence Assurance Management System in place to ensure that risks are minimised.
Competency assurance is even more critical for rotating workforces, where not every activity is performed on every rotation. Although individuals have the training, do they have the competency? By using a competency management system, employers can track on-the-job development and assessment activities and ensure that all employees are competent and compliant.
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