Skills Training and competency are not the same thing. A worker demonstrates their competency by applying the training that they receive to the work activities they undertake and over time they gain experience to be able to complete a task safely and properly with minimal supervision.

Competency consists of several aspects, of which training is only one. Others include skills, knowledge, experience and understanding of the task at hand, the work environment, and a range of human factors.

Training and/or qualifications alone will not necessarily mean that a person is competent.

Workers who have received skills training should not be assigned to roles in which they are not competent unless suitable on-the-job supervision has been assigned. A trained worker requires supervision until they gain sufficient experience to ensure they are competent and will stay safe while completing their work.

Supervisors need to demonstrate the very best in safety leadership. They need to be able to evaluate the individuals that work under them, know their safety performance strengths, and tailor their supervision to the specific needs of each worker.