Why You Need a Competency-Based Education Model—And How to Create One

Editor’s note: This blog post was originally published in March 2023 and has been updated with new insights and information.

It’s becoming increasingly important for students and workers to develop new skill sets. Many organizations are moving toward skills-based work models to alleviate hiring pressure and better allocate resources. According to research from Deloitte, organizations implementing skills-based models are 98% more likely to retain top talent and 107% more likely to place talent effectively than their counterparts.

An increased focus on skills means changing how you approach teaching and training. Competency-based education (CBE) helps learners master different skills and better prepares them for an ever-changing workforce.

What Is Competency-Based Education?

CBE is a systematic approach to instruction that emphasizes skills development rather than task completion. Learners are assessed based on their ability to demonstrate a specified level of achievement and application of specific skills, behaviors, or objectives, all of which embody competencies. Traditional teaching models focus on passing assessments, moving learners through programs regardless of how thoroughly they understand the concepts taught—as long as they’re earning passing grades.

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Why You Need a Competency-Based Education Model

According to research from the World Economic Forum, 44% of current workers’ skills are expected to be disrupted over the next five years. Additionally, six in ten employees will require skills training by 2027, but only half of those workers currently have access to adequate learning opportunities today. It’s no longer realistic to finish a degree program and expect to perform clearly defined (and limited) job duties. The skills needed for organizations to thrive are constantly and rapidly evolving, making it more important than ever for workers to learn and leverage new skills.

For universities and other higher-learning institutions, CBE models can be a way to support learners looking for a more direct path to employment. Skills-based hiring is on the rise, and four-year degrees are no longer a requirement for gainful employment in many sectors. According to SHRM, 77% of U.S. workers agree that having a job-relevant alternative credential can increase their chances of being hired. The same study found that 87% of executives and 81% of supervisors think people with alternative credentials bring value to the workplace. Institutions must adapt to this change to continue attracting students to their programs.

Implementing workforce training programs based on the CBE approach can also assist organizations in supporting their employees’ development and growth. CBE models allow workers to develop skills directly related to their job duties and professional aspirations. Because this kind of training takes learners’ knowledge into account, they can often be more engaging and lead to a deeper understanding of the training.

That said, many higher learning institutions struggle to make the switch to CBE models. Despite most faculty and staff (86%) agreeing that there is a need for more skills-based learning models, only 22% of their institutions have implemented such programs. This could be due to the difficulties surrounding program accreditation and technological infrastructure. Higher education institutions must ensure that their programs meet various accreditation requirements so their learners’ degrees and certifications are valid. Institutions also need tools such as an LMS to manage flexible learning environments, content and assessment delivery, and data tracking.

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How to Design a CBE Curriculum That Prepares Learners for Future Success

Creating a CBE model that will help your learners establish, grow, and demonstrate knowledge and skill boils down to:

• Establishing measurable organizational and learner outcomes
• Identifying which skills, behaviors, and competencies must be achieved in order to fulfill these outcomes
• Selecting the appropriate technology to design, deliver, and measure the program and learner achievement
• Designing flexible, engaging learning programs that provide ample opportunity for learners to develop and apply skills
• Ensuring learners are able to learn at their own pace
• Establishing which technologies will support your program delivery

As part of the CBE design process, you’ll create a competency framework that may contain outcomes, behaviors, skills, or other levels that learners must progress through to achieve competency. Once these pieces are in place, you can begin creating flexible programs that meet learners’ needs and develop their skills. It’s essential that these programs allow students to demonstrate their skills and knowledge in a variety of ways.

The technologies with which you choose to implement your programs will be influenced by your goals and how learners will demonstrate their skills. A digital platform that allows for flexible learning is ideal for a CBE model. Choose a learning management system (LMS) that accommodates multiple forms of assessment and content delivery so your learners have multiple pathways to achieve success.

Prepare for the Future With Competency-Based Education

Being a skilled worker means more than earning a degree or certification. To be truly prepared for the workforce, learners must achieve a desired level of competency and be ready to adapt to rapid change. By shifting the way you teach and train to CBE, you will create learners with a deeper understanding of the knowledge and skills required to succeed in the workplace.