Competence Vs Competency

Is there a difference between 'competence' and 'competency'?

Let's Find out!

Note: There is a short test after this article to test your competency😃😃😃

Oxford Learner’s Dictionary defines 'competence' and 'competency' as ‘the ability to do something well.' These two words are both nouns and can be used synonymously. While the plural of the former is "competences," the plural of the latter is "competencies." Depending on the usage, the words can either be countable or mass nouns.

Examples

1. To teach English, you must have a high level of competence in the language.

2. The technician was employed because he demonstrated outstanding competency.

The question now is, are they different in any way? Yes, they are.

Although "competence" and "competency" are near synonyms, further use suggests a slight difference in the way they are employed.

First, you have to understand that in another sense of use, “competency” has to do with a skill that is specifically needed for a particular job or task, more like a core competency that differentiates you from others. It is countable in this context. E.g.

1. One of the core competencies of an orchestra is voice harmony.

2. Digital literacy is a competency teachers in the modern age should possess.

On the other hand, "competence" is the overall ability to perform a task or a job or manage a situation. For example,

1. The competence of the president is commendable in navigating national security.

2. Network glitches in banks are blamed on weather in Nigeria rather than technical competence.

Simply put, you can use "competence" to talk about a person's or an organisation’s general ability and "competency" to describe a specific skill or capacity for a particular job or task.

Test your understanding with this short test.

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