Final answer:
A Competent person is one with the necessary credentials, knowledge, and experience to tackle problems related to their field, reflecting the concept of credentialism. They must also be capable of applying discipline-specific knowledge, designing systems, and communicating effectively while adhering to ethical standards.
Step-by-step explanation:
A Competent person is one that possesses a recognized degree, certificate or professional standing, or has extensive knowledge, training, and experience, and has successfully demonstrated the ability to solve or resolve problems relating to the subject matter, the work, and/or the project. The term draws from the concept of credentialism, which emphasizes the importance of certificates or degrees to signify a person's skills, education level, or job qualifications. In various fields, such as engineering or medicine, a competent professional would typically display an ability to apply knowledge of their discipline, conduct experiments, design systems, processes or components, and solve complex problems within a range of constraints and considerations. Additionally, ethical responsibility, lifelong learning, and effective communication are considered essential qualifications alongside technical expertise for such professionals.