Use it or lose it: Why Competency Assurance Programs or Systems (CAP or CAS) are important to any business.
We all know the saying ‘use it or lose it’
Many studies show that the amount of information retained by a person can deteriorate quite quickly after training. Typically, around half of what was presented can be lost after just one hour! Eventually the retention sits around 20% after one month. This is why competency management is so important.
If you think about this in the context of the workplace, once deemed competent, at a particular time, an employee will need to carry out the relevant task immediately and regularly to maintain competency.
However, in many cases it is not economically feasible to undertake a task frequently. For example, an offshore (sub-sea) crane operator should be competent in safely operating and overcoming mud suction forces but this task is rare in a day-to-day sense. Competency in that task will degrade overtime and therefore refresher training is vital prior to a lift off the sea floor. In this case, the most economical solution is to use a simulator.
Intelligent competency management
This is where intelligent competency management comes into play. By fully analysing individual tasks, task frequency, risks and employee characteristics, the management of workforce competency can become efficient and economical. It is less obstructive to normal business operations and unimposing to the individual. Too frequent and aimless competency verification can affect morale and employee trust.
Competency Assurance is for all aspects of your business
Lastly, a Competency Assurance Program/System is not standalone, that is, it does not belong to one business unit or service. It needs to be integrated across all aspects of the business such as Procurement, Operations, HSEQ and HR in order to maintain a level of competence that drives the business and the individual forward.
You won’t remember half of this in an hour!