kompetence

Kompetence is a concept used primarily in human resource management, education, and public administration to describe the ability to apply knowledge, skills and attitudes in practice to achieve defined results. It emphasizes what a person can do in real work or life situations, rather than what they know in theory. The term is common in Nordic languages, where Danish, Norwegian and other variants share a similar meaning, while English uses competence or competency and related distinctions between competence and capability.

A competence is typically seen as composed of several elements, often summarized as knowledge, skills and attitudes (KSAs). It may also include meta-competences such as problem solving, adaptability and professional judgment. Distinctions are sometimes made between competence (the demonstrated ability to perform) and capability (the broader potential to perform across different tasks and contexts). In practice, competence is demonstrated through performance in authentic tasks, assessments, portfolios or work samples.

Assessment and development of competences are central to education and workforce development. Competence frameworks or taxonomies outline the required KSAs for specific roles or professions, guiding curriculum design, recruitment, appraisal and promotion. Methods include competency-based education and training, performance assessments, simulations, 360-degree feedback, and reflective practice. Development often combines formal learning with on-the-job experience and mentorship, aiming to build both current performance and transferable capabilities for future roles.

In organizations, core competences refer to the unique capabilities that give a company or institution a competitive advantage. Professional competences define the standards expected in a given profession, shaping qualification requirements, licensing, and continuous professional development.