Certificate of Competence

Confirmation that an individual has been judged competent in carrying out a specific, often specialised, task.

An individual is assessed against a range of stated criteria and this allows an assessor to determine if they are successful and have achieved the desired outcomes, in which case they can be awarded a Certificate of Competence.

There is a legal requirement to be certificated if some activities are to be carried out, for example the application of pesticides in a professional situation (with an example of a Certificate of Competence being the City & Guilds Level 2 Award in the Safe Application of Pesticides using Pedestrian Hand Held Equipment).

It is desirable but not essential for other activities, such as the safe use of an item of machinery, e.g. a mower, trimmer, brush cutter, etc. (with an example being the City & Guilds Level 2 Certificate of Competence in the Safe Use of Mowers).

Whilst someone has been judged to be competent on the day of the assessment, it is essential that the good working practices are continued thereafter, and complacency doesn't creep in, otherwise an unsafe situation can arise, which can increase the risk of injury to self or others or damage to equipment or property.