Elsie Rodas

10-05-2025

What is competency-based training?

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Discover how competency-based training builds real capability, ensures compliance, and closes critical skills gaps

As organisations' demands evolve, so must our workforce development approach. The call is clear across sectors, from NHS Trusts and care providers to early years settings and corporate services: We need a trained and truly competent workforce.

In this context, competency-based training (CBT) has emerged as a vital strategy. Offering staff training that simply checks boxes is no longer enough. Today, organisations must ensure that their people can demonstrate real-world skills, meet regulatory expectations, and deliver consistently high-quality outcomes.

In this blog, Elsie defines competency-based training, explains why it matters and how to implement it across your organisation.

Defining competency-based training

Competency-based training (CBT) is a learning and development approach that focuses on what learners can actually do, not just what they know. The goal is to ensure learners demonstrate the skills, behaviours, and knowledge required to perform their jobs effectively.

Unlike traditional training models based on time spent or number of modules completed, CBT is:

• Outcome-focused - Emphasises performance over participation
• Learner-paced - Allows individuals to progress as they achieve mastery
• Job-aligned - Matches competencies to specific responsibilities
• Assessment-driven - Uses observation, simulation, and scenario-based evaluations.

Let’s take an example. A support worker may be expected to assist a service user with mobility. Traditional training may provide the theory, but competency-based training ensures they can perform the task correctly, safely, and under pressure, mirroring real-world conditions.

Why competency-based training is important

Organisations in regulated sectors such as healthcare, social care, and education must meet high safety, quality, and accountability standards. Competency-based training isn’t just beneficial; it’s essential. Here’s why:

• Improves workforce performance
• Strengthens regulatory compliance
• Closes the gap between theory and practice
• Encourages accountability and motivation
• Supports personalised and scalable learning.

Let us discuss these in detail.

Improves workforce performance

CBT produces staff who are ready to perform. Focusing on practical application, it boosts effectiveness, reduces risk, and leads to better service delivery regardless of the sector.

Strengthens regulatory compliance

Whether your organisation is inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) or a professional body like the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), competency-based training offers a clear framework to demonstrate compliance. Training records and assessment outcomes can be easily audited to show that staff meet required standards.

Closes the gap between theory and practice

The “tick-box” approach often leaves staff ill-prepared for real-life challenges. CBT closes that gap by equipping them with the confidence, capability, and practical experience to apply learning in their roles.

Encourages accountability and motivation

Clear competencies give staff a roadmap of what is expected. This fosters greater ownership, accountability, and pride in their development and contribution.

Supports personalised and scalable learning

CBT is adaptable. It allows high-performing staff to move ahead quickly while offering targeted support to those who need more time. This flexibility is especially useful in large teams and dispersed organisations.

CBT practical application - From competence to compliance

Consider Basic Life Support (BLS) training. A typical course might explain the steps in an emergency. But can the learner:

• Perform chest compressions correctly?
• Apply the DRSABC protocol?
• Distinguish between adult and paediatric techniques?
• Act under pressure in a simulated environment?

In a competency-based training model, the answer is yes because learners must demonstrate these abilities, not just understand the theory.

At The Mandatory Training Group, our BLS training integrates blended learning (e-learning + hands-on workshops) to ensure that competence is assessed, recorded, and reinforced through practice and feedback.

Competency-based training as a workforce development strategy

Workforce development is about more than training days; it’s about building sustainable systems that foster capability at every level. CBT supports strategic development by enabling the following:

• Targeted skills gap analysis - By mapping competency frameworks to job roles, organisations can pinpoint gaps in skills and knowledge and implement data-driven training plans to close them.
• Better recruitment and onboarding - CBT allows new hires to be assessed against baseline competencies and supported through structured development. This improves onboarding speed and ensures staff are safely integrated into their roles.
• Structured career progression - Employees gain visibility of the skills and competencies needed for promotion or progression. This not only supports career development but also boosts retention and motivation.

Role of trainers and assessors in CBT

In a competency-based model, trainers are not just instructors but facilitators of performance and gatekeepers of quality. That’s why our train the trainer programmes are built around the principles of CBT.

Our trainers are equipped to:

• Align content with job-specific competencies
• Deliver scenario-based, hands-on sessions
• Assess learners using consistent, real-world criteria
• Provide feedback and support improvement
• Track development and maintain robust records.

We also provide a suite of trainer resources, including:

• Structured PowerPoint slides
• Practical and written assessments
• Lesson plans and course outlines
• Learner feedback forms
• Competency checklists and assessment templates.

These resources integrate with our ComplyPlus LMS™, streamlining training delivery, tracking, and compliance in one platform.

Lead with confidence - Explore our solutions

Today’s organisations face increased regulatory scrutiny, rapid innovation, and growing public expectations. Whether you deliver health care, early years education, or regulated training services, the need for a competent, confident, and compliant workforce has never been more urgent.

Competency-based training helps organisations reduce risk, improve outcomes, meet legal and regulatory requirements, empower staff to take pride in their roles, and demonstrate credibility to inspectors, clients, and service users

Strengthen compliance through competency-based training

At The Mandatory Training Group, we help organisations across regulated sectors build truly competent and compliant workforces. Our CPD-accredited train the trainer programmes provide the foundation, while ComplyPlus™ LMS ensures you can manage, track, and evidence learning at every stage.

Our solutions include:

• Sector-specific trainer packs and practical teaching resources
• Robust tools to support inspection readiness and quality assurance
• Expert guidance on developing and embedding competency frameworks
• Ongoing support to scale training across teams and sites

Contact us

Complete the form below to start your ComplyPlus^TM trial and transform your regulatory compliance solutions.