Competent vs. Competence

what do you mean I’m ‘Not Yet Competent’ -  I’ve been involved in SAR for years, I’ve done lots of training– of course I’m competent to be out there, aren’t I?”

This question is typical of the correspondence we often receive seeking clarification about competence on TPP manuscripts. The following explores the differences between being operationally competent and training competence – and yes there is a big difference.

YES – you have been involved in SAR for years, attended alot of district or regional training courses, have many skills and have developed sound knowledge to back it all up – so generally YES you should be involved operationally in Land Search and Rescue.

YES – you might also be found ‘Not Yet Competent (NYC)’ for some aspect of SARINZ and/or TPP training you have attended.  However, having NYC recorded on your manuscript does not spell the end of your SAR involvement – and nor should it.  Training competencies and operational competence are NOT the same thing.

NYC on your training manuscript merely highlights that one of the following situations has likely occurred;

1.     You have yet to complete the Reflective Practice competent of the course. And/or…

2.     You failed to submit the required evidence/assessment task (YES you might be able to perform the task in an operational environment, however in a training environment, without evidence being submitted you will be found NYC according to tertiary education guidelines). And/or…

3.     You missed part of the course due to unforeseen or prior engagements (eg: could not attend the evening session due to family commitments etc).

Being found ‘Competent” on a training course and SAR operational competence are different matters.

You may have attended a lot of training, gained plenty of course certificates without necessarily being deemed operationally competent by your local SAR group.  The reverse is also true. You may have years of operational experience, attended local training (without ever having attended a SARINZ and/or TPP course) and be deemed by your SAR group to be operationally competent.

These two situations are at either end of the continuum. In the ideal world a SAR practitioner would have some experience and some training, however– I am aware of individuals that exist at both ends of the continuum.  But how?

Being found Competent in the standards is exactly that - you are competent as defined/required by the standard because you can complete a defined task and provide evidence when assessed.

This ‘evidence’, whether written, visual or otherwise is defined for the instructor in the assessment guidelines.  These guidelines also state as to what level participants need to perform at.  Lower level/introductory courses are often “participate in…”, “contribute to…”, show…”, “demonstrate an understanding of…” etc where generally students are more easily able to meet the standard than at higher levels where the standard may require individuals to demonstrate a higher level of skill.  Take the following for example:

6.1 Psychological issues for searchers are identified and strategies developed for dealing with these.  Range: must include but not limited to – preventative strategies, possible reactions, common reactions, post event strategies, identification of people/agencies to approach for assistance.

In the above Performance Criteria (PC 6.1) students are required to:

1. Identify psychological issues,

2. Develop strategies for each of the issues identified,

3. Be able to identify all of the issues and/or strategies listed in the range statement. They may include more but not less than those listed

Failure to meet any of these three criteria means that you may be found NYC for this standard (and this PC is only one of twelve in this particular standard!).

However I believe that 95%+ of all students found NYC fit into one of the three categories as stated earlier,.  The solutions for each category are relatively straight forward for you to change your NYC result to a C, thereby completing your eligibility to attend additional course/standards.

So…don’t panic if you see ‘Not Yet Competent’ or ‘NYC’ on a transcript – it does not mean that you cannot be involved operationally, and nor does it mean the end of your training.

Check your manuscript for why you were found NYC.  Did your course have a reflective practice component?  Were you present for the duration of the course?  Still not sure why you were found NYC, then email support@sarinz.com and we will respond outlining why you were found NYC and what you need to complete to be found Competent.

I can recall when I first became involved in SAR more than 12 years ago the questions surrounding what is “competency” were being asked then, and they still continue to be asked.  The problem is more complex than it first appears as everyone has a differing opinion.  “Operational competencies” can (and should) only be defined by industry.

An example of this was the development of ‘Advisor Standards’ by NZLSAR/Police some years ago.

Currently each region and/or group has their own requirements to be an operational member.  These obviously vary between regions.  My personal belief is that some training and knowledge of SAR skills AND some level of experience should be the “ideal” for field team and managment team personnel.  More training and/or experience might be appropriate for field Team Leaders and IMT Managers. The quantity and quality of the training and experience needs is best determined by industry to meet the operational requirements both now and into the future.

Tony Wells

Programme Manager Search