Professional Competences: a Classification of International Models

Abstract

This article develops the conceptual goals of professional competences as well the origin of competences and the evolution of the concept. Responses are given to common questions such as: “what are competences really?”, “what do they involve?”, and “whyis their importance growing?” The results of this investigation are shown through five models of professional competences, related with their corresponding international certificate of competence. With each model of competence, a brief description itshistorical context is made in order to clearly establish the characteristics and principal findings. Finally, the models are analyzed and compared.