What Is Verification of Competency (VOC) and Who Needs It

While being competent is a prerequisite for every job, high-risk occupations like construction, manufacturing, mining, and transportation require employees to be subject to additional assessment. In fact, they are legally obligated to undergo Verification of Competency (VOC) assessments.

The Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws in Australia make it compulsory for employees in these industries to prove they are competent and have the necessary skills and knowledge to safely perform their jobs. Below, we discuss verification of competency (VOC) in detail and explain how your organisation can fulfil its legal obligations.

What Is Verification of Competency (VOC)?

Verification of competency, or VOC, is a way to confirm that someone is still capable of performing a specific skill or task safely and effectively. It's not about retraining; it's about proving you've retained the skills you already have.

Think of it as a quick check to make sure you're still on top of your game, whether you're operating machinery or performing high-risk tasks.

Source: FEFO Consulting

In Australia, VOC is often required for industries like construction, mining, aviation, utilities, healthcare, and transport, where safety is a top priority. Employers want to know their workers can handle equipment or situations without putting themselves or others at risk.

Why Is Verification of Competency Important?

Besides the obvious aim of maximising safety and minimising workplace risks, VOC is important for the following reasons:

• Meeting Industry Standards: High-risk industries understandably have high standards that need to be met. VOC assessments can help organisations stay at par with standards in their respective sectors.
• Supporting Compliance: The more high-risk an industry, the more stringent its health and safety regulations are. In the same vein, the penalties for non-compliance are higher. VOC helps you stay compliant with the contractual and legal obligations of your field.
• Maintaining Skill Levels: VOC assessments give you the peace of mind that your workers are still competent in the skills required for their roles. You can also use them to identify areas for improvement.
• Enhancing Confidence: VOC is a way for both workers and employers to gain confidence in the workforce's skills. Clients and customers will also be happy to know that their safety and well-being are a priority for the organisation they are dealing with.

Which Industries Need VOC Assessments?

Any industry in which workers operate heavy equipment or perform tasks that could potentially harm themselves requires VOC assessments. Some of these industries include mining, construction, transport, oil and gas, manufacturing, aviation, healthcare, and utilities.

Source: FEFO Consulting

‍The VOC assessment process is also relevant for industries whose workers handle hazardous substances, work at heights, or in confined spaces. For example, firefighters and emergency services personnel would need to undergo regular VOC assessments.

Who Regulates Verification of Competency in Australia?

As we've explained, the WHS obligations cover VOC. There isn't a single law that mandates VOC explicitly, but organisations are legally required to prove their workforce's competence. So, businesses typically comply with the broader regulations of the following workplace safety authorities.

Safe Work Australia

‍Safe Work Australia develops a national policy for WHS and workers' compensation. It also manages the WHS Regulations and Model Codes of Practice that states and territories use to formulate their individual legislation.

While Safe Work Australia doesn't directly conduct VOC assessments, it provides the framework for employers to follow. Each state or territory enforces these guidelines through its own regulatory body, like WorkSafe in Victoria or SafeWork NSW. Employers and registered training organisations (RTOs) often refer to Safe Work Australia's codes of practice when designing VOC assessments that align with national safety standards.

Industry Bodies

In Australia, many industry bodies regulate and oversee VOC processes within their specific sectors. For example, the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining, and Energy Union (CFMEU) sets standards for workers in construction and mining, while the Australian Trucking Association focuses on road transport.

Industry-Specific Laws

Every high-risk industry in Australia has its own set of specific regulations. For example, the Mine Health and Safety Act of 2004 mandates strict safety standards.In construction, the National Code of Practice for the Construction Industry highlights safe work practices. Construction employees need a High-Risk Work Licence to perform dangerous tasks on sites, like working at heights or operating heavy machinery.

Similarly, other highly regulated industries also have laws that may make VOC a necessity. The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 in the oil & gas sector and the National Heavy Vehicle Law in transportation are some examples.

Steps of a VOC Assessment

A VOC process typically has three steps. Here's how they go.

Pre-Assessment

In this step, you make a list of the competencies your employees need. Some of these will be required by law, while others may be for contractual obligations. You can perform a skills audit to identify these competencies.

VOC Assessment

Now, you can assess your employees based on the competencies you have identified. You may use different types of assessments depending on the competencies you're assessing and your industry.

For example, simulations are popular in the aviation industry, while written tests are common in the healthcare sector. In industries like construction, where practical skills are a must, on-the-job assessments may be more appropriate.You can either perform the VOC assessments yourself or bring in third-party, accredited assessors. The latter is better for getting an impartial and objective assessment. It's also more credible if you have to show proof of compliance with regulations.

Post-Assessment

After the assessment, you need to document the results and determine your workforce's level of competence. Your employees may fall into one of these categories:

• Competent: If they pass the assessment with flying colours, this is where you categorise them. These employees do not need additional training or supervision.
• Conditionally Competent: These employees may have some gaps in their knowledge or skills that they need to work on. They are competent overall but may require additional support or competency-based training to address deficiencies.
• Not Yet Competent: These employees aren't fit to work on the site independently. They need significant training and supervision before they can be considered competent.

You can reassess employees who fall under the "conditionally competent" or "not yet competent" categories later to make sure they have reached the desired level of competence.

How Often Should You Conduct VOC Assessments?

The frequency of your assessments will depend on several factors, including industry regulations, the complexity of job roles, and changes in technology or procedures.Some industries may require annual or bi-annual assessments for compliance with regulations and safety standards. Others may only need assessments when new employees join the company or when significant changes occur in job roles.Ideally, anywhere between 2 to 5 years is a good timeframe. However, if you have noticed unusual patterns, such as an uptick in incidents or a decrease in productivity, it may be time for a reassessment.Also, just because an employee has been deemed competent once does not mean they should never go through another assessment. They should be a part of the next round of assessments to ensure they are maintaining their skills and knowledge.

How to Train "Not Yet Competent" Employees?

Workers who do not pass the VOC assessment should get additional training from their organisation. You can hold specialised training sessions related to their shortcomings.It also helps to assign coaches or mentors who provide one-on-one, practical guidance. Depending on the nature of your business, you may also opt for external training resources, such as online courses or workshops.You can also create in-house courses to train these employees on the knowledge they're missing. Coursebox is a handy AI course builder that can streamline this task for you.

The tool's AI course designer works as your brainstorming partner to come up with relevant training topics and suggest course structures. You can then use existing docs or videos to create this course in minutes.Coursebox also comes with an AI tutor, a chatbot that answers trainees' questions and provides guidance through the training, reducing your organisation's workload. Plus, the AI grading system makes it easy to test employees on what they've learned.

You can also white-label your course with Coursebox's branding options. The Coursebox mobile apps further let employees learn from anywhere, even if they're not on the premises.

Conclusion

In industries where danger is a constant presence, employee competence not only offers peace of mind but also keeps your organisation safe from potential accidents and lawsuits. Verification of competency is a must-do in such situations since it benefits both the organisations and its employees.VOC assessments prove that you're committed to workplace safety as a business. For employees, they are a way to boost confidence and allow continuous professional development.

If some employees do not pass VOC assessments, don't rush to terminate their employment. Instead, use it as an opportunity to provide them with the necessary training and resources they need to improve. With the help of tools like Coursebox, you can easily create customised AI courses that address their specific knowledge gaps and help them become more competent in their roles.