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Capability Vs Competency

1. Capability refers to an individual's potential ability or capacity to perform a task, while competence refers to proven abilities and improved capabilities demonstrated through efficient and effective performance. 2. Capabilities represent implied or underdeveloped skills that can be improved through learning and practice, eventually developing into competencies. 3. Both terms originate from French and Latin roots and have undergone meaning changes over time, with their modern usages emerging more recently than their initial introductions to the languages.

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268 views2 pages

Capability Vs Competency

1. Capability refers to an individual's potential ability or capacity to perform a task, while competence refers to proven abilities and improved capabilities demonstrated through efficient and effective performance. 2. Capabilities represent implied or underdeveloped skills that can be improved through learning and practice, eventually developing into competencies. 3. Both terms originate from French and Latin roots and have undergone meaning changes over time, with their modern usages emerging more recently than their initial introductions to the languages.

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AgentSkySky
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Capability vs Competency

Competency and capability are two terms that pertain to human ability. They are often mentioned
in many Human Resource-related materials as well as in career and job communications.
Capability is the term that describes the quality of being capable. It is the condition that permits an
individual to acquire power and ability to learn and do something within his capacity. Capability is also
known as implied abilities or abilities which are not yet developed.
A person with a capability has a potential to acquire a specific ability or skill that will be helpful in a task.
The learned skill or ability adds to a persons knowledge bank or skill set. Capabilities also increase the
functions of a person which can lead to more productivity. New skills and abilities make a person more
capable to complete a certain task or they are a more suitable candidate for a job position.
In time and practice, capabilities can develop into competence. It serves as the starting point of being
able to do something and gradually becoming more adept in performing a task.
Capability came from the Middle French word capabilit and late Latin word capbili. The word
was first used in 1587. However, its meaning in todays usage (underdeveloped skill or faculty) only
evolved and was used starting from 1778.
On the other hand, competence is the state or quality of an individuals work. A person and his work
can be evaluated as competent if the performance is considered as satisfactory, but not
outstanding. Competence can also be applied to the improvement or development of a ones abilities
and skills for the benefit of the person and the group or institution that he or she represents. The
improved skills and abilities are applied to tasks or jobs.
Competence can also result in an increased quality of work or performance. In return, the work and
performance will produce more satisfying and favorable results from other parties like clients, bosses,
and other important people.
Competence starts from a persons capabilities. In a sense, competence is the proven abilities and
improved capabilities. Competence can include a combination of knowledge, basic requirements
(capabilities), skills, abilities, behavior, and attitude.
Competence, as a word has its origins in 1632 from the French word competence (meaning of
sufficient living in ease) and further in the Latin competentia (which means agreement or symmetry).
However, the modern meaning of the word (sufficiency to deal with the situation or with a task) didnt
come until 1790.



Summary:

1. Capability and competence are two manifestations of human abilities and skills. Both words are
often met in job advertisements or personnel assessments.

2. Capability is the condition of having the capacity to do something. Within this condition there is a
potential for improvement of skills. They are also called implied abilities. On the other hand,
competence is the improved version of capability. In this condition, the person can do a specific skill
or task with efficiency and effectiveness. Competence means the degree of skill in the tasks
performance.

3. Capabilities lead to competence. An individual with capability can add a skill set or knowledge by
learning and practicing. Competence serves as the result of the application of capabilities.

4. Capability mostly refers to skills and abilities. In contrast, competence can be a combination of
knowledge, behavior, attitude, and skills.

5. Capabilities are seen as generic while competence is more in the field of specialist.

6. Both capability and competence as words are derived from French and Latin roots. Another
interesting similarity is that both words have earlier meanings rather than a current, modern meaning.
In particular, competences modern meaning has only evolved in 1790, but the word was already in
usage since 1632. For capability, it has been used since 1587, but it took almost 197 years (in 1778) to
come to its new and modern meaning.

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