Getting Competency Assessment Right in Local Government

Attie Butler pushes back on the idea that competency assessment is simply a test sitting in someone's office. Properly designed competency frameworks involve significant thought leadership and are built for specific roles - and while not perfect, they are a serious foundation to build on.

His practical diagnosis: around 40% of municipalities understand performance assessment at an organisational level, but at the individual level approximately 80% are treating it as a compliance exercise rather than a genuine professionalisation tool. The fix is not a new framework - it is better-trained managers who understand how to prepare for, conduct and act on performance evaluations.

On standardisation, he calls for a nationally consistent competency assessment model - arguing that the existing framework used for senior managers can be adapted and extended to all municipal staff. Ignite has already developed an online technical competency assessment tool; the remaining gap is incorporating the behavioural dimensions alongside the technical ones.

On accreditation, he outlines a recognition model that acknowledges existing professional accreditations - such as those held by engineers - provided they were earned through a combination of verified work experience and examinations meeting a defined standard.

The key to making this work is close collaboration with professional bodies and universities to maintain that standard, rather than allowing a proliferation of sub-standard training that undermines the professionalisation agenda.