Final answer:
Skills are specific actions such as communication, while competencies are underlying characteristics that encompass a range of skills and attributes, and are crucial for effective performance in various job roles.
Step-by-step explanation:
The distinction between skills and competencies is a topic often debated in the professional workspace. To clarify, skills are specific actions or abilities that an individual can perform, often acquired and improved through education, training, or experience. On the other hand, competencies are broader in scope, encompassing a range of skills, knowledge, behaviors, and attributes that enable someone to perform effectively in a job or situation.
For example, being able to effectively communicate is a skill that can be developed and is highly prized across various industries. This skill, along with others like critical-thinking and problem-solving, forms part of a broader set of competencies that are considered transferable, meaning they are applicable and advantageous in a multitude of settings and roles. Employers highly value these transferable competencies, as they are indicators of an individual's capability to adapt and contribute to different aspects of the workplace.
Thus, the best statement to capture the distinction between these two terms would be: a) Skills are specific actions, while competencies are underlying characteristics that include a variety of skills, knowledge, and behaviors.