Which term describes the knowledge, skills, and abilities an employee must have to perform their job effectively?

The term that encapsulates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for an employee to perform their job effectively is "competencies." Competencies refer to the specific characteristics or attributes that contribute to an individual's effective performance in their role. They are essential in defining what is required to achieve success within a specific job context.

Competencies not only include the technical abilities related to a particular job but also encompass soft skills, such as communication and teamwork, which are critical in ensuring overall effectiveness. By identifying and assessing competencies, organizations can better align training programs, recruitment efforts, and performance evaluations, ultimately leading to improved employee performance and organizational success.

Other terms like training needs, job specifications, and performance standards play different roles in the context of workforce management and development but do not directly define the composite of knowledge, skills, and abilities required for effective job performance. Training needs identify gaps that might be filled through education or development, job specifications detail the requirements of a position, and performance standards set benchmarks for evaluating output.