The feasibility of integrating the competence approach into the process of industrial enterprises intellectual resources innovative development is theoretically substantiated in the article. The tendencies and regularities of the competence approach are investigated. The key role of staff intellectualization as a basis for qualitative (intensive) development in a knowledge-based economy is emphasized. The main stages of a change in the qualification requirements for the employee, which is relevant due to the development of theory and practice of production organization, knowledge management and personnel management are defined. The necessity of improving the scientific and methodological tools for industrial enterprise personnel intellectual potential development management has been proved through the prism of a competent approach. The author's definition of these concepts has been proposed. Based on the existing theory and practice analysis and generalization regarding the competence approach use at the enterprise, the author's model of staff competences is proposed. The basic principles and standards of quality in the context of personnel competences model formation are distinguished. A methodological approach to managing of industrial enterprises intellectual potential development based on the competence approach has been developed. The basic measures of organizational and economic characters that provide positive dynamics of the personnel intellectual potential development in the process of the competence approach implementation at the enterprise are suggested.