What Is The Difference Between Skill & Competency

Hi all,

What is the difference between skill and competency? How can we assess the skills and competencies of our workmen in our organization? Please share your detailed views on it.

Regards,
Awdhesh Kumar

Dear Awdesh,

In simple words, skill is something that has been learned and can be seen most of the time in work. For example, a vehicle mechanic has the skill to understand and fix vehicle problems; that's apparent.

Competency is a mix of skills, attitude, knowledge, and behavior. Now, if the same vehicle mechanic goes one step ahead and does something extra with the vehicle which delights the customer, that is competency.

It's like an iceberg model. What you see on the top is basic skills, IQ, and knowledge.

What is beneath the surface is a mixture of knowledge, EQ, skills, behaviors, i.e., competence.

To measure competency, there are several ways. A simple task - as HR, you have to identify the competencies which the profile (the workman's profile) needs to complete the task in a manner, and then you have to assess whether the person sitting in that profile exhibits the competency to what degree.

There are several articles on the net on competency and simple ways to measure them.

I would also invite you to visit our portal: Home | Mindshare HR Knowledge Portal which will give you varied information and knowledge.

Regards

Let's make it simple... It was your skill to use this app and post this question, and it is up to the competency of people to understand and answer it. Also, skill is what you have and it can be increased, while competency is the maximum you can reach.

To clarify it in simple terms: I saw a video/reports of a boy of only 7 years driving a car with ease on a busy road, sitting in the driver's seat with someone simply sitting next to him. The boy possesses the skill, ability, courage, IQ, etc., to drive the car. However, he does not have a license to drive a car as he is underage according to the Motor Vehicles Act. In other words, he lacks the competency to drive a car, as an authenticated Driving Licence issued by a Competent Authority (RTO being the only authority competent to issue a driving license) is required.

Similarly, a Senior Officer of a firm prepares an investment plan involving Rs. 500 crores and forwards it to his Managing Director for approval. The MD reviews the report and approves it when deemed acceptable. The Senior Officer is knowledgeable about the project but lacks the authority to approve it, whereas the MD may not know much about the project but understands the skills and capabilities of the Senior Officer who proposed the project. The MD possesses the competency to approve the Rs. 500 crore investment and approves it when satisfied.

I hope you have the skills to differentiate between the distinctions.

Dear Kumar S.,

I beg to differ on your opinion. The Senior Officer is not "eligible" to approve the project. The word competent here does not have anything to do with his competency level. Similarly, the 7-year-old kid is not legally allowed. He may have the competency to drive a car. In this case, the real test is when this kid is compared to the other kids who may drive their toy cars. His competency level is higher. It should also be kept in mind that the kid should not be compared to a grown-up when assessing his competency. Competencies are measured on par.

Regards

In short, skill denotes the required level of efficiency to perform a task assigned. Competency, on the other hand, is the quality needed to accomplish the same task effectively.