Competency Gaps Research Articles

Appraising competency gaps among UNESCO-designated heritage site actors in disaster risk reduction innovations

Communities residing in UNESCO-designated sites, characterised by outstanding universal values, face heightened vulnerability during disasters, necessitating innovative Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) strategies. The critical role of well-equipped UNESCO site actors in DRR necessary for achieving the goals of broader international frameworks such as Agenda 2030 and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) warrants this needs assessment study. This study uses a descriptive survey design to assess the competency gaps of UNESCO site actors, including managers and staff, for effective utilisation of DRR innovations (DRRI). Employing the Borich Needs Assessment Model and Ranked Discrepancy Model, an online questionnaire garnered 141 responses from 59 countries. Descriptive statistics, significance tests (at p < .05), correlation tests, Mean Weighted Discrepancy Scores, and Ranked Discrepancy Scores yielded noteworthy findings. Despite recognising the importance of DRRI, respondents demonstrated competence lags, emphasizing the need for tailored training programs. Competency gaps were identified across all 14 listed DRRI, with top priorities including disaster prevention radio, telemetry systems, unmanned aerial vehicles, GIS, remote sensing, resilient materials, and disaster risk insurance. Enhancing competencies in DRRI presents a strategic approach to bolstering disaster preparedness, management, and risk reduction efforts, aligning with global conservation and sustainability goals.

Digital competence of Vietnamese citizens: An application of digcomp framework and the role of individual factors

AbstractAssessment of digital competence for citizens could support the Education Action plan at a national level, a regional level, or even at a global level to enhance the digital skills and competence gap for work and life for digital transformation. This study applies the DigComp framework through a self-administered online survey to 723 citizens in Vietnam, using a sequential exploratory mixed methods research design. Data were analysed using factor analysis, standard descriptive statistics, and simple regression methods, followed by qualitative content analysis from interviews with ten respondents and a focus group discussion with eight stakeholders on digital competence. The results confirmed the validity of the DigComp framework for measuring the digital competence of Vietnamese citizens. Overall, the proficiency level of the 723 surveyed Vietnamese citizens falls between basic and intermediate levels, being more advanced in areas in information and data literacy and communication and collaboration, compared to digital content creation, safety, and problem solving. The results further showed that male citizens with a higher education level, working in the public sector, or living in province with high provincial digital transformation index rankings perceived themselves to be more digital competent than females with a lower educational level, working in the private sector, or living in the province with low provincial digital transformation index rankings. To improve citizens’ digital competence, training should be designed that considers not only citizens’ digital competence profiles but also their individual characteristics.

Strategi Penempatan Pegawai Berdasarkan Sistem Merit pada Direktorat Pembinaan dan Pengawasan Tenaga Kesehatan Kementerian Kesehatan

Human Resources have an important role and become the key to success in carrying out activities to achieve the vision and mission of the organization. HR problems in Government Agencies are not only in HR Professionalism. In addition, organizational changes need to be made to face national development and global competition. In organizational changes, employee placement based on qualifications, competencies and performance needs to be done properly so that employee professionalism is maintained. The purpose of this study is to find employee placement strategies based on the merit system at the Directorate of Health Worker Development and Supervision to run optimally. This study used a descriptive method of qualitative approach with data collection using observation, interviews, and documentation. The number of informants in this study was 5 people with data analysis techniques using data reduction, data presentation, and conclusions. The results of this study state that the placement of employees based on the merit system has not run optimally, there are still problems including there are employees who have not been improved in competence, performance appraisals have not been consistently carried out based on organizational and employee performance targets, and have not carried out competency development mapping based on performance and competency gaps. The age factor is still a consideration in employee placement so that the application in the concept of performance achievement has not been carried out optimally. The resulting strategy is by mapping and improving competency development based on competency and performance gaps, conducting objective and measurable performance appraisals based on organizational and employee performance goals, changing organizational culture and implementing talent management in accordance with applicable regulations.

Fifty years on – limitations and opportunities within Ireland`s higher education system and structures

Regional Technical Colleges, later Institutes of Technology, were developed just over fifty years ago in response to a perceived gap in knowledge, skills, and competencies required to promote market growth and success ( Thorn, 2018 ). It was envisaged that this change to Ireland’s higher education landscape would be capable of continuing adaptation to the social, economic, and technological changes (to meet the needs of employers and students (Steering Committee on Technical Education Report to the Minister for Education on Regional Technical Colleges, 1967, 11). Fifty years after this initiative began, the presented paper wishes to reflect and review what is occurring within today’s higher education landscape, posing the question: Did the newly introduced additional higher education institute type evolve from their modest beginnings? Specifically, did they, as suggested by the Steering Committee on Technical Education Report to the Minister for Education on Regional Technical Colleges (1967), avoid the dichotomy and provide students with an opportunity to study in a variety of fields close to their home, or has something else emerged and evolved that is in contradiction to this ambition. This research paper examines these questions using available Higher Education Authority data, considering what this means for student access, equity, and choice within Ireland’s higher education system. The findings of this review suggest that while increased student participation in higher education is evident, the choice for today’s aspiring student is less noticeable or possible within some fields of study because of the socially constructed configuration of Ireland’s higher education system.

Management of antipsychotics in primary care: Insights from healthcare professionals and policy makers in the United Kingdom.

Antipsychotic medication is increasingly prescribed to patients with serious mental illness. Patients with serious mental illness often have cardiovascular and metabolic comorbidities, and antipsychotics independently increase the risk of cardiometabolic disease. Despite this, many patients prescribed antipsychotics are discharged to primary care without planned psychiatric review. We explore perceptions of healthcare professionals and managers/directors of policy regarding reasons for increasing prevalence and management of antipsychotics in primary care. Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with 11 general practitioners (GPs), 8 psychiatrists, and 11 managers/directors of policy in the United Kingdom. Data was analysed using thematic analysis. Respondents reported competency gaps that impaired ability to manage patients prescribed antipsychotic medications, arising from inadequate postgraduate training and professional development. GPs lacked confidence to manage antipsychotic medications alone; psychiatrists lacked skills to address cardiometabolic risks and did not perceive this as their role. Communication barriers, lack of integrated care records, limited psychology provision, lowered expectation towards patients with serious mental illness by professionals, and pressure to discharge from hospital resulted in patients in primary care becoming 'trapped' on antipsychotics, inhibiting opportunities to deprescribe. Organisational and contractual barriers between services exacerbate this risk, with socioeconomic deprivation and lack of access to non-pharmacological interventions driving overprescribing. Professionals voiced fears of censure if a catastrophic event occurred after stopping an antipsychotic. Facilitators to overcome these barriers were suggested. People prescribed antipsychotics experience a fragmented health system and suboptimal care. Several interventions could be taken to improve care for this population, but inadequate availability of non-pharmacological interventions and socioeconomic factors increasing mental distress need policy change to improve outcomes. The role of professionals' fear of medicolegal or regulatory censure inhibiting antipsychotic deprescribing was a new finding in this study.

Competency Assessment on Gram Stain Examination and Interpretation Among Medical Laboratory Professionals Working in Selected Hospitals of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Laboratory test results are the cornerstone for patient diagnosis and treatment. Gram staining is a classic laboratory test method used to differentiate between bacteria. Competence assessment can help identify gaps and provide suggestions to academics, researchers, and policymakers to address competency gaps. In Ethiopia, there is no evidence of competency assessment by medical laboratory professionals using the Gram-staining technique. To assess the competency of medical laboratory professionals on Gram stain examination and interpretation in selected hospitals of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the competency of medical laboratory professionals on Gram stain examination and interpretation from September 2015 to December 2017. Of 190 participants, 55 (28.9%) participants scored low knowledge, 131 (68.9%) scored medium knowledge, and only 4 (2.1%) respondents scored high knowledge. From the study variables, education level, supervision by regional or federal government bodies, and training about Gram staining were significantly associated with the knowledge level of study participants. Forty eight (25.3%), 78 (41%), and 64 (33.7%) participants scored low, medium, and high skill level, respectively, from a total of 190 participants. From skill level analysis, hospital type, microscope type, and availability of health information resources were significantly associated with skill levels. There were 44 observations (4%) with major errors and 321 observations (28%) with very major errors from all 1140 observations. Of all observations, 321 (28.2%) reported without grading, 39 observations (3.4%) reported gram-positive bacteria as gram-negative bacteria, and 15 observations (1.4%) reported gram-negative bacteria as gram-positive bacteria. The current study found that most medical laboratory professionals work without supervision or refresher training in Gram stain examination and interpretation. Hence, medical laboratory professionals' knowledge and skill levels are unsatisfactory. Regular competence assessments, training, and follow-up are necessary to improve the professional competence in medical laboratories.

IMPLEMENTING THE MERIT SYSTEM THROUGH TALENT MANAGEMENT AS CAREER DEVELOPMENT BASIS

This study aims to determine antecedents of the low aspect career development for civil servant and the application of talent management strategies as a solution to career development issues. By using a qualitative method to executes semi-structure interview for 7 informants that responsible and have authorities to the civil servant career development. The collecting data also conducted through observation and documentation. Result of interviews show that six of ten indicators from career development aspects un-optimum implemented, such as job competency standards documents, availability of employee profiles based on talent or competency mapping, talent pool implementation, availability of succession plans, qualification and competency gap documents, and capacity building and competency development. Further, research findings show that the obstacles of career development aspects caused by six indicators such as bureaucratic politicization, lack of leadership commitment, un-optimum budget, and bad teamwork. The Talent management strategy states as comprehensive solution in establishing the basis for future civil servant career development.

Shifting work competencies in an emerging economy: a comparison of accounting students’ perceptions of demand and supply

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to ascertain which competences are seen by employers as important for accounting students in an emerging economy, to triangulate this list with the experiences of working students and compare with those work competencies acquired during the period of study.Design/methodology/approachThis study employs a novel mixed-method approach, with interviews of employers (n = 11) to identify key work competencies, and then with a quantitative study of working students (n = 184) to examine the work competency gap, using paired T-tests and mean weight discrepancy scores. The study was undertaken between September and December 2022.FindingsThe paper provides empirical insights into key work competencies in an emerging economy. There is a focus on technical skills at the university, whilst soft skills are preferred by employers. New key work competencies were uncovered relating to intuition, innovation and communicating in a foreign language. The key personal characteristics required for the job relate to change and uncertainty.Research limitations/implicationsA qualitative assessment of key work competencies of employers and the use of mean weighted discrepancy scores is recommended in further studies in this field.Practical implicationsPractical approaches for educators, government and employers are offered to address the increasing demand for soft skills and other work competencies specific to an emerging economy.Originality/valueThe study is set in an emerging economy, which is underdeveloped in this field. The findings inform key stakeholders with a vested interest in reducing the work competency gap.

Sustainable Development Competencies in Design Education

…there is a gap between the complexity and scale of climate and sustainability challenges and the professional competencies currently taught in most design education programs.Designers are expected to have a key role in addressing looming problems like climate change and sustainability. Examining current curricula and finding gaps in competencies provides a starting point to ensuring that future designers have the skills necessary for the job.

Resident perceptions of learning challenges in concussion care education

Background: Resident-focused curricula that support competency acquisition in concussion care are currently lacking. We sought to fill this gap by developing and evaluating Spiral Integrated Curricula (SIC) using the cognitive constructivism paradigm and the Utilization-Focused Evaluation (UFE) framework. The evidence-based curricula consisted of academic half-days (AHDs) and clinics for first- and second-year family medicine residents. Our first pilot evaluation had quantitatively demonstrated effectiveness and acceptability but identified ongoing challenges. Here we aimed to better describe how concussion learning is experienced from the learners’ perspective to understand why learning challenges occurred. Methods: A qualitative interpretative cohort study was utilized to explore resident perceptions of concussion learning challenges. Participants completed six monthly longitudinal case logs to reflect on their concussion experience. Semi-structured interviews were conducted. Results: Residents' beliefs and perceptions of their roles influenced their learning organization and approaches. Challenges were related to knowledge gaps in both declarative knowledge and knowledge interconnections. Through reflection, residents identified their concussion competency acquisition gaps, leading to transformative learning. Conclusion: This Spiral Integrated Design created vigorous processes to interrogate “concussion” competency gaps. We discussed resident mindsets and factors that hindered “concussion” learning and potentially unintentional negative impacts on the continuity of patient care. Future studies could explore how to leverage humanistic adaptive expertise, cross-disciplines for curriculum development, and evaluation to overcome the hidden curriculum and to promote integrated education and patient care.

Implementasi Manajemen Talenta Melalui Penilaian Kompetensi ASN Jabatan Pengawas Pemerintah Kabupaten Pekalongan

Talent management in the Regulation of the Minister for Empowerment of the State Civil Apparatus and Bureaucratic Reform of the Republic of Indonesia Number 3 of 2014 is a career management system which includes acquisition, retention, development, and placement of talent to occupy positions based on the potential and competence of the State Civil Apparatus in accordance with the position qualifications position. ASN competency to be able to occupy certain positions is assessed in several ways, one of which is using a competency assessment. The Pekalongan Regency Government through the Personnel and Human Resources Development Agency (BKPSDM) has carried out a competency assessment for ASN with supervisory positions, attended by 60 participants from Regional Apparatus Organizations within the Pekalongan Regency environment. This article uses a qualitative method with a descriptive analysis approach. The data analysis technique uses data triangulation from primary data sources, namely sources, and secondary data, namely the results of competency assessments for Pekalongan Regency government supervisory positions, then elaborated to develop a conceptual framework for implementing ASN talent management through competency assessments to improve the quality of ASN. Based on this case study, a competency gap was found in the competency assessment carried out, where the highest competency gap was in the competency to develop oneself and others. The purpose of this article is to provide recommendations to the Pekalongan Regency BKPSDM for suggestions for developing ASN competencies which are used as a basis for promotions, transfers and rotations.

Do Large Language Models Show Human-like Biases? Exploring Confidence—Competence Gap in AI

This study investigates self-assessment tendencies in Large Language Models (LLMs), examining if patterns resemble human cognitive biases like the Dunning–Kruger effect. LLMs, including GPT, BARD, Claude, and LLaMA, are evaluated using confidence scores on reasoning tasks. The models provide self-assessed confidence levels before and after responding to different questions. The results show cases where high confidence does not correlate with correctness, suggesting overconfidence. Conversely, low confidence despite accurate responses indicates potential underestimation. The confidence scores vary across problem categories and difficulties, reducing confidence for complex queries. GPT-4 displays consistent confidence, while LLaMA and Claude demonstrate more variations. Some of these patterns resemble the Dunning–Kruger effect, where incompetence leads to inflated self-evaluations. While not conclusively evident, these observations parallel this phenomenon and provide a foundation to further explore the alignment of competence and confidence in LLMs. As LLMs continue to expand their societal roles, further research into their self-assessment mechanisms is warranted to fully understand their capabilities and limitations.

Evaluating Disaster Management Preparedness among Healthcare Professionals During Pandemics: Palestinian Context.

Emergencies are increasingly prevalent, necessitating specialized management to address significant social disruption. Effective management of health emergencies requires resilience from governments and health institutions, as these emergencies are becoming more common and have wide-ranging consequences on health, society, and the economy. Due to the interconnected nature of our global society, events in one location can have international or even global impacts, as demonstrated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to assess disaster management preparedness among nurses and physicians during pandemics. This study used an online survey conducted in late 2022 to collect primary data through a purposive sampling method, involving both government and private hospitals in Palestine. The participants included 512 nurses and 241 physicians from various hospital units. The findings indicate varying levels of knowledge among participants, with a significant portion (67%) reporting no prior experience with real disaster situations. Additionally, 63% lacked prior disaster response experience. Regarding training courses, 17.8% of nurses and physicians prioritized emergency preparedness, trauma mass casualty response, and triage disaster management systems. Despite some understanding of disaster management, the study emphasizes the importance of hospital managers implementing national standards, engaging healthcare professionals in continuous education, and addressing gaps in perceived competence. While participants demonstrated some knowledge of disaster management, the study suggests the importance of hospital managers adopting national standards, engaging healthcare professionals in continuous learning activities, and addressing perceived competence gaps.

Embedding research and extension in postgraduate studies: A novel approach to filling the knowledge exchange competency gap in Ireland

Set against the backdrop of an absence of agricultural extension in the curriculum of agriculture degree programs in Ireland between 1990 and 2010, this paper examines the knowledge exchange skills needed by the next generation of farm advisors and presents the case of a practice-based postgraduate program in Ireland that seeks to address the competency gap created. It reviews an Irish post graduate program that has been designed to equip graduates with the competencies to work effectively in advisory roles. It combines student, graduate, and manager survey results on their experience and assessment of professional development with this program. The evolving role of front-line farm advisors to facilitators of knowledge exchange and innovation is recognised while a range of essential competencies are highlighted. The value of this postgraduate education for early career farm advisors is evidenced through building competencies in a range of areas and gaining a deeper understanding through applied research of the complexities of innovation adoption and the barriers to change for farmers and their families. The paper concludes that greater attention is needed to developing core competencies of farm advisors to build strong relationships of trust and influence with farmer clients.

ASESMEN DIAGNOSTIK DALAM MATERI DONGENG PADA MATA PELAJARAN BAHASA SUNDA DI KELAS VII SEKOLAH MENENGAH PERTAMA (SMP) YAYASAN WANITA KERETA API (YWKA) BANDUNG

The purpose of this study was to find out the diagnostic assessment in fairy tale material in Sundanese language subjects. The background of the diagnostic assessment is the change in face-to-face teaching and learning activities to distance learning (PJJ), the decline in the ability of students, the failure to achieve learning objectives and the competency gaps of students. One effort to overcome this problem is to carry out an assessment at the beginning of learning which is called a diagnostic assessment. The approach used in this study uses a quantitative approach with quantitative descriptive methods, meaning that data is collected from instruments in the form of non-cognitive diagnostic assessments of fairy tales and then analyzed based on students' answers to each question, then set forth in tables and diagrams and percentages are taken. The population consists of two classes in class VII with a total of 51 students. a sample of 26 students in class VII. That directly or indirectly the role of parents affects children regarding their likes or dislikes of fairy tales. This role is not only in the form of storytelling for children, but rather encourages children to like reading fairy tale books. When children like fairy tales, this material will be easier to teach because the child's ability to understand is sufficient to explore it. It's different if the child doesn't like fairy tales. The first thing the teacher does for students like this is of course to motivate them to like the material first and the role of parents influences children regarding their likes or dislikes of fairy tales.

Exploring the facilitators and barriers in opioid deprescribing for non-cancer pain treatment experienced by general practitioners: A qualitative study.

Guidelines recommend opioid deprescribing in patients on long-term opioid treatment for chronic non-cancer pain. This study aims to explore facilitators and barriers in opioid deprescribing among general practitioners in the Netherlands. In addition, this study aims to identify possibilities for improvement regarding opioid deprescribing in primary care. Focus group discussions with Dutch General practitioners were held by two skilled moderators. The focus group discussions were transcribed verbatim and analysed using MAXQDA software. Three independent reviewers searched for overarching themes using thematic analysis with an inductive approach. Discussions were organized until data saturation was reached. Twenty-two general practitioners participated in four focus group discussions. Five main themes emerged from the data: (1) patient-centred care; (2) ensuring proper pain management (3) dilemmas and hardships in dealing with opioid use disorder; (4) the competency gap; (5) needs and possibilities to improve opioid deprescribing in primary care. The first theme addresses the main facilitators in opioid tapering. The following three themes emerged as main barriers in opioid deprescribing. The fifth theme identified possibilities for change. This study indicates the importance of intrinsic motivation and a tailored approach to deprescribe opioids in patients with chronic pain on long-term opioid treatment. Identified barriers include struggles in pain management, challenges caused by opioid use disorder, insufficient capacities such as time constraints and lack of skills. Recommendations for improvement involve enhanced collaboration with healthcare professionals in primary and secondary care, provision of practical tools and assurance of sufficient time. This focus group study among 22 Dutch general practitioners elucidates the complexities of opioid deprescribing and reveals pivotal themes such as patient-centred care, pain management challenges, and competency gaps. The findings underscore the crucial role of intrinsic motivation and that of a tailored approach in opioid deprescribing, while demonstrating how a lack in effective pain treatments, practical capacities and challenges caused by opioid dependence, impede opioid deprescribing. By uncovering these complexities, this study aims to inform future deprescribing strategies.

Exploring the nexus of entrepreneurial potential and entrepreneurial mentoring among TVET programme students

Malaysia government aims to foster an entrepreneurial ecosystem by launching The National Entrepreneurship Policy in 2019 to encourage TVET students to participate in entrepreneurship. TVET students are taught about business startups. This collaboration with the Ministry of Education (MoE) seeks to nurture student entrepreneurs as job creators. Issues such as salary discrimination, and competency gaps are often faced by TVET graduates. A total of 252 students from Vocational Colleges in Malaysia were selected using stratified sampling. The result found entrepreneurial students and entrepreneurial interaction have a relationship with entrepreneurial potential. Yet, no relationship was indicated between entrepreneurial potential and the entrepreneurial mentor. The study expands knowledge of TVET students' entrepreneurial potential and provides insights into entrepreneurial potential studies for Malaysian entrepreneurship academia. It also helps the public and private sectors create entrepreneurship mentoring programmes. The findings support the TVET institution's goal of becoming an entrepreneurial hub.

The Professional Nurse Self-Assessment Scale II - Translation and cultural adaptation for Nordic countries.

It is important to map the clinical competence of newly graduated nurses in Nordic countries. The use of a common Nordic instrument could provide insights into nurses' levels of self-assessed clinical competence and perceptions of their need for professional development. To translate and culturally adapt the original Norwegian version of the Professional Nurse Self-Assessment Scale II (PROFFNurse SAS II) into (1) Danish, (2) Finnish and (3) Icelandic versions. The PROFFNurse SAS II was translated and cross-culturally adapted. This translation was inspired by the process used in the Guidelines for Cross-Cultural Adaptation. The translation and cultural adaptation processes employed the required steps and provided specific details. In addition, practical issues encountered during the translation process while translating and adapting instruments that may influence future translations were revealed. This study found that having a professional bilingual/bicultural agency translator was partly problematic in the process of translation and found that it is important to adjust the translations to each country's specific words used in nursing. Translating the PROFFNurse SAS II instrument into all Nordic languages enables us to use the instrument from a Nordic perspective and across various countries. This is important when comparing self-awareness and reflecting on nurses' clinical competencies. Professional development is central to valuing and developing clinical competence and allowing for the discovery of gaps in clinical competence.

A First View on the Competencies and Training Needs of Farmers Working with and Researchers Working on Precision Agriculture Technologies

The penetration of precision agriculture technologies in agrifood systems generates the need for efficient upskilling programs targeted at farmers and other actors. A critical first step in this direction is to uncover the training needs of the actors involved in precision agriculture ecosystems. The present study aimed to identify and assess gaps in competencies related to precision agriculture technologies of Greek livestock farmers and researchers specialized in this field. For farmers, we followed a partially mixed research design. To uncover researchers’ training needs, we chose a qualitative-dominant mixed approach. The results revealed that farmers lack competencies concerning the exploitation of precision agriculture technologies. Depending on their area of expertise, researchers have needs associated with predicting how research affects the future of farming and understanding how precision agriculture artifacts interplay with socio-environmental and economic factors. Despite the limited generalizability of the findings, which represent a limitation associated with the reliance of data on two small sample sizes, our results indicate that, beyond technology-related competencies, it is essential to enhance the capacity of producers and researchers to foresight and shape potential (digital) futures.

Competency mapping of primary healthcare nurses on the Brazil-Paraguay border.

To map the competencies of Primary Health Care nurses in border regions of Brazil and Paraguay. Exploratory qualitative studyconducted between February and July 2020, with 64 nurses from six Brazilian municipalities bordering Paraguay. It was conducted in three stages: 1. Documentary study: analysis of legal documents to identify the nurse's competencies. 2. Application of instrument to the study population .3. Mapping of competencies, through the competencies expressed by nurses analyzed using the collective subject discourse technique. Twenty-eight general competencies were identified, categorized as assistance and management, and five specific competencies required to work in border regions: conducting a situational diagnosis of the border community; attending to foreign users with active and humanized listening; communicating appropriately with foreign users; identifying the epidemiological profile of the border; and, understanding the health policies of the neighboring country. The competencies required for the work from the participants' perspective were included in the mapping. The competence gap identified in the mapping refers to educational practices in communities. The study identified the necessary competencies for nurses to work in border regions, but pointed out gaps in the training and continuing education of these professionals.