The Core-Unique-Expanding model: career passport for performance

The Core-Unique-Expanding (C-U-E) representational model provides a framework and a method to identify, describe and group major work activities performed into three broad areas. A seven-point, operationally defined rating scale is used to rate six major work activities on ten basic dimensions of work performance, like complexity and motivating potential. The resulting 6 x 10 grid is used to group the ratings of major work activities into Core (routine), Unique (prime area of competence), and Expanding (self actualising) areas. A method to compute a rank-difference correlation between self-assessed competence and work preferences is presented. Data from the C-U-E grid, written information on vision, mission, experience, motivation, skills, abilities, knowledge, and creativity are incorporated into a career passport, or uniform database. Uses of the career passport are to: analyse work activities; assess performance level; develop work assignments and standards; and plan training and career development activities to help ensure employability.