The article analyzes the scientific views of researchers on the structure of competence and competence. The content of the structural components of the central concepts of the competence approach is revealed. The vision of scientists and practitioners on the classification of competence and competence is considered. The following key overprofessional competencies or basic skills are defined: value-semantic; political and social; general cultural; educational and cognitive; communicative; information. The groups of allocated competencies are systematized and approaches are described for their differentiation, which are certain models (methods) for identifying and evaluating competences: based on personal characteristics; on the procedural aspect of the implementation of activities; on the performance of functional and technological actions within a particular specialty or in a certain position; based on performance management.