The article is concerned with the competence-oriented approach in higher vocational education. Competencies are the requirements for the completion results of educational programs. As a rule, these two blocks of competences are universal / general cultural and professional competences. We will try to understand and reply ourselves to the following questions. How are the specified competencies are developed in students upon they have completed an education program? How and by what means should students’ competencies (competence stages) be assured?