Proficiency Levels

CAs are expected to demonstrate competence at defined levels of proficiency. Four levels of proficiency (ranging from 1 (the lowest) to 4 (the highest)) are explained in this section and cover competency development from foundational to expert levels.

A proficiency level is specified for each of the professional values and attitudes, enabling competencies and technical competencies, as well as a view to progression through these levels.

Levels	Dimensions	1	2	3	4
Levels	Dimensions	Foundational level of competence	Intermediate level of competence	Advanced level of competence	Expert level of competence
Professional values and attitudes	Display professional values and attitudes:
	Frequency	Occasionally	Always under specific circumstances	Always under all circumstances	Always under all circumstances
	Context	In a simple context with straightforward situations and/or circumstances	In an easily understood context with complexity limited to specific situations and/or circumstances	In a difficult context with complex situations and/or circumstances	In a demanding context with complex and ambiguous situations and/or circumstances
Enabling competencies	Use enabling competencies during task performance:
	Type of task	During task involvement	To initiate tasks and perform tasks on a preliminary/preparatory basis	To complete all steps in tasks	To facilitate high-level strategic impact from task performance
	Level of task understanding	Displaying a basic level of task understanding (key ideas and principles)	Displaying an intermediate level of task understanding (detailed knowledge including some analysis/evaluation)	Displaying an advanced level of task understanding (clear problem identification, thorough analysis/evaluation and useful recommendations are made)	Displaying an expert level of task understanding (unique insights on the strategic impact)
	Knowledge and skills needed	Using limited knowledge and skills needed to perform the task	Using multiple knowledge sources and skills in certain areas and limited in others to perform the task	Integrating multiple knowledge sources and skills in all areas to perform a task	Integrating multiple knowledge sources and skills in all areas to perform tasks with strategic impact
	Dependencies	Relying on own actions rather than through others	Relying on own actions complemented by actions of others for which limited or informal responsibility is carried	Relying on own actions complemented by actions of others for which formal responsibility is carried	Relying on own actions complemented by actions of others for which formal responsibility is carried and have strategic impact
	Guidance	Obtaining frequent guidance	Obtaining limited guidance	Obtaining little or no guidance	Providing guidance rather than obtaining any guidance
Technical competencies	Display technical competence by:
	Knowledge of the subject matter	Knowing the core/essence of the subject matter	Having a sound conceptual understanding of the subject matter	Having an in-depth knowledge and rigorous understanding of the subject matter	Having specialist knowledge of the subject matter
	Application	Applying the knowledge in simple to reasonably difficult situations	Applying the knowledge in difficult situations	Applying the knowledge in complex and integrated situations	Applying knowledge critically and creatively in complex, integrated and ambiguous situations that invite multiple interpretations
	Problem solving	Recognising issues when encountered and seeking further depth/guidance	Dealing with issues and solving problems central to the topic	Performing tasks and solving problems with a high degree of rigour, exercising sound judgement	Leading a responsive decision-making process to solve problems and exercise sound judgement