Incorporating competence into the long‐term evaluation of training and development

Considers competence – what the competence‐based approach means, how it has developed, and how it can be used in the long‐term evaluation of training and development. Focuses on defining what criteria are used for assessing competence; how such criteria are measured; which criteria are most apt in each particular instance; why certain forms of behaviour are thought to be competent; where the approach can prove most useful; who determines competence; and when is individual competence (as opposed to team competence) the thing to aim for. Considers how competence‐based qualifications can be incorporated with knowledge‐based qualifications and draws examples from the British Aerospace experience. Concludes by questioning whether the political debate is coming full circle, with the pendulum swinging back to knowledge‐based qualifications.