Verification of Competency (VOC): Why Confirming Skills Matters More Than Ever

Verification of Competency (VOC) is one of the most misunderstood and inconsistently applied processes in workplace health and safety. Many organisations assume that a qualification, ticket or past experience is enough to confirm a worker is competent. In reality, that assumption is where serious risk often begins.

VOC is not about training someone how to do a task. It is about confirming that a person can safely and effectively perform a specific task, using specific tools or equipment, in your workplace, under your conditions.

When VOC is done properly, it protects workers, supervisors and the business. When it is done poorly or not at all, it exposes organisations to significant safety, legal and operational risk.

What Is Verification of Competency?

Verification of Competency is a structured process used to confirm that a worker has the skills, knowledge and experience to perform a task safely in a particular workplace.

It typically involves:

• Direct observation of the task being performed

• Asking questions to test understanding and decision-making

• Reviewing evidence such as licences, tickets or prior experience

• Assessing the worker against site-specific requirements

Importantly, VOC is site and task specific. A worker may be competent in one workplace but not another. Different equipment, procedures, environments and risk controls all influence whether someone can safely perform a task.

VOC does not replace formal training or qualifications. It sits alongside them as a critical assurance activity.

Who Should Be Conducting Verification of Competency?

VOC should be conducted by people who:

• Understand the task and associated risks

• Are familiar with site-specific procedures and controls

• Are capable of assessing performance objectively

• Have the authority to confirm or withhold approval to perform the task

In most workplaces, this includes:

• Supervisors and team leaders

• Workplace assessors

• Safety and risk personnel

• Experienced workers who have been authorised to verify competence

A common failure is asking someone to verify competence when they do not fully understand the task themselves. If the verifier cannot recognise unsafe practices or poor decision-making, the VOC process becomes meaningless.

Why Verification of Competency Is Critical

Verification of Competency plays a key role in:

• Preventing serious injuries and fatalities

• Demonstrating due diligence

• Managing high-risk activities

• Providing confidence that critical tasks are being performed safely

From a governance perspective, VOC supports:

• Stronger supervision and control

• Audit readiness

• Defensible decision-making

• Confidence that critical controls are being implemented by competent people

From a safety perspective, it reduces reliance on assumptions and paperwork alone.

Qualifications and Experience Are Not Enough

One of the biggest misconceptions is that a licence, ticket or years of experience automatically equals competence.

In reality:

• Qualifications show that training occurred at a point in time

• Experience does not guarantee safe habits or current capability

• Skills can degrade over time if tasks are not performed regularly

• Site conditions may introduce new hazards and controls

Verification of Competency is the mechanism that closes this gap. It confirms not just what someone knows, but how they apply that knowledge in real conditions.

What Happens When Competency Is Not Verified?

Failing to verify competency creates multiple layers of risk.

Safety risks:

• Increased likelihood of incidents and injuries

• Workers unknowingly exposed to hazards

• Critical controls being applied incorrectly or bypassed

Operational risks:

• Poor task execution

• Equipment damage

• Increased downtime

• Ineffective supervision

Legal and compliance risks:

• Breaches of work health and safety duties

• Inability to demonstrate due diligence

• Weak or indefensible records after an incident

• Exposure during regulator investigations or audits

After serious incidents, one of the first questions asked is: How did you know the worker was competent to perform that task?

If the answer relies on assumptions rather than evidence, the organisation is immediately on the back foot.

VOC as a Critical Assurance Activity

Verification of Competency should be treated as an assurance process, not a tick-and-flick exercise.

Effective VOC processes are:

• Consistent across the organisation

• Based on clear criteria

• Supported by practical, usable tools

• Documented in a way that is clear and defensible

VOC is particularly important for:

• High-risk tasks

• Mobile equipment and plant operation

• Use of hazardous tools

• Non-routine or infrequent tasks

• New starters, contractors or role changes

Are you responsible for conducting verifications of competency in your workplace?

Orana Skills Centre delivers a 1-day professional development program designed for personnel who are responsible for conducting Verification of Competency (VOC) assessments, as well as those involved in developing, reviewing or improving VOC tools and processes.

This course supports supervisors, trades persons, assessors and safety and risk personnel to apply consistent, defensible and site-specific VOC practices that align with industry expectations and work health and safety obligations.

Verification of Competency (VOC): Why Confirming Skills Matters More Than Ever