What are competencies?

The notion of competence refers to stable sets of knowledge, reasoning patterns, capacities for action, and typical behaviors. The definitions are numerous, due to the variety of fields of application, but they point to a few common features: reference to tasks, human activities, or problems to be solved in identifiable circumstances; the expected effectiveness of individuals or groups when these tasks, activities, or problems are to be carried out or solved; the structured nature of the processes of mobilizing knowledge, know-how, and behavioral attitudes that ensures effectiveness.