A verification of competency is a written statement from an employer that an individual
has met the minimum requirements for a specific position. It may be required by law in
some states, or it may be requested by the employer to help ensure that the applicant
has the skills needed to do the job.
VOC training is a requirement for many industries. For instance, all marine crew members need VOC since it is a prerequisite for gaining employment with a passenger carrying vessel. It means that you have to provide evidence that you have achieved the required level of competence. Before you can work on a passenger-carrying vessel, you must hold a national certificate of competency issued by the Maritime Administrator (Australian Maritime Safety Authority). You will also need to provide evidence of your identity and qualifications under the Maritime Transport Security Act 2004 (MTS Act). The MTS Act requires all seafarers to hold a valid seafarer’s training record book. This document records your training hours and assessments, including any courses you may
have completed through VOC education or training programs. In order to obtain a national certificate of competency, it is necessary to complete the following steps:
- Complete an approved course of theoretical knowledge;
- Achieve pass grades in all of the required practical assessments (based on the syllabus) and;
- Have your name entered into a register maintained by AMSA.
What Is Verified Competency?
The purpose of verified competency is to verify that someone has all the knowledge
and skills necessary to perform their job adequately. The person who performs this task
is usually someone who works with you on a daily basis and is familiar with your duties
and responsibilities at work.
How Do You Verify Competency?
Employers can verify competency in a number of ways, but there are no required
standards for how these checks should be done. The most common form of verification
is through the use of skill tests that are based on industry-specific competencies or job
descriptions.
Skill tests come in many forms, including written tests and simulations. Written tests
may include multiple choice questions or essay responses. These types of skills tests
are usually used for entry level positions where basic knowledge is needed to perform
the job function. For example, if you were hiring someone to work in a call center
environment where they would need to handle customer inquiries over the phone, you
might have them take a written test to ensure they have the required level of knowledge.
Simulations are another type of skill test that employers use when hiring new
employees. Simulations give candidates an opportunity to demonstrate their ability to
perform key tasks associated with the job description or role being filled. For example, if
you were hiring someone to work as an IT support technician who will be helping users
troubleshoot technical problems on their computers, you might ask them to fix mock
technical problems using software tools like command line prompts or other diagnostic
tools.
