Competency is a cluster of knowledge, skills and attitudes. The concept of competency relates to those personal characteristics that influence performance. Competency also refers to performing the tasks at hand according to a certain criterion or standard. The term competency may be categorised into the conceptual, procedural and performance competencies; heuristic, epistemological and actualised competencies; or, for example, general problem-solving competencies, critical thinking skills and social competencies. Competencies can be learnt in formal, non-formal and informal settings. The development of competencies can be evaluated by the organisations or by the individuals themselves. Competencies are used in youth policy for example in the European Union’s ‘Youth Pass’ programme which analyses key competencies of lifelong learning.

Ref: Kiilakoski, Tomi (2015) Youth Work, Volunteering, Recognition and Employability. Defining and recognizing competencies. Alliance of European Voluntary Service Organisations. Available at: http://www.alliance-network.eu/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/IVE-Desk-Research-Report-Output-1.pdf