Technical Learning Design & Competency Development
Technical expertise. Innovative learning. Evidence-based competency.
Developing the skills, standards and evidence that underpin workforce capability.
In safety-critical industries, effective learning is about more than completing a course. It is about ensuring people have the knowledge, practical skills and demonstrated competence to perform their roles safely, consistently and effectively.
RelyOn combines deep technical subject matter expertise with instructional design, technical writing, digital learning development and competency assessment to create integrated workforce learning solutions.
We work with employers, asset owners and industry partners to design learning programs that reflect real operational environments, align with regulatory and industry requirements, and establish measurable standards of performance.
From individual learning resources through to enterprise-wide competency frameworks, our approach connects learning, assessment, workplace performance and authorisation in a consistent, evidence-based system.
Our solutions support eLearning, instructor-led classroom training, practical training and workplace assessment, providing flexibility in how learning is delivered without compromising the standards against which competency is assessed.
Technical expertise at the centre of learning design
Developed by people who understand the work.
Our technical learning capability is distinguished by the integration of experienced industry practitioners directly into the design and development process.
Our multidisciplinary teams bring together:
- Electrical and technical subject matter experts – experienced practitioners and engineers with specialist expertise in high and low voltage systems, electricity networks, power generation, renewable energy, electrical safety, hazardous areas and critical infrastructure.
- Technical writers and documentation specialists – translating complex engineering principles, legislation, operating procedures and technical requirements into clear, practical and accessible learning resources.
- Instructional designers and learning engineers – designing structured learning pathways based on roles, tasks, required knowledge, skill levels and measurable learning outcomes.
- Digital learning and media specialists – developing interactive eLearning, adaptive learning, technical illustrations, animations, video, simulations and other digital learning assets.
- Competency and assessment specialists – establishing assessment standards, practical performance criteria, evidence requirements and tools to validate competence.
- Project management specialists – coordinating the design, development, technical validation, deployment and ongoing maintenance of learning programs.
As part of RelyOn’s global organisation, operating across more than 22 countries, our Australian team draws upon an international network of technical specialists and dedicated learning development professionals.
This combination ensures that our learning solutions are technically accurate, operationally relevant, engaging for learners and scalable across different workplaces and jurisdictions.
Our technical learning and development capabilities
1. Technical writing and learning content development
We translate complex technical information into clear, accurate and accessible learning materials that reflect how work is undertaken in practice.
Our team works with technical standards, legislation, engineering documentation, operating procedures and subject matter experts to develop resources that support both learning and safe workplace performance.
Our services include:
- Technical training manuals, learner guides and instructor resources
- Operating procedures, safety instructions and technical reference materials
- Course presentations, illustrations, diagrams and visual learning aids
- Task-based learning resources and workplace reference guides
- Conversion and modernisation of existing technical training materials
- Alignment of learning content with company procedures, industry standards and regulatory requirements
Our focus is on ensuring that technical requirements are understood, consistently communicated and translated into effective operational practice.
2. Instructional design and digital learning development
Flexible delivery without compromising technical quality.
RelyOn designs and develops learning solutions for deployment across multiple platforms and delivery environments.
Our in-house creative learning capability combines instructional design, technical expertise, digital media and learning technologies to create engaging experiences for learners in safety-critical industries.
We develop content for:
- eLearning – self-paced digital modules, interactive activities and online knowledge assessments.
- Adaptive learning – personalised learning pathways that identify existing knowledge, address individual knowledge gaps and reduce unnecessary repetition.
- Instructor-led classroom delivery – structured presentations, instructor guides, demonstrations and facilitated learning activities.
- Practical and simulation-based learning – task-based exercises, equipment demonstrations, scenarios and practical assessment activities.
- Blended learning – integrated programs combining digital preparation, classroom learning, hands-on training and workplace assessment.
- Workplace learning – supervised practice, electronic logbooks, evidence collection and on-the-job competency development.
Learning materials can be developed using a variety of technologies and formats, including SCORM-compatible packages, interactive media, video, animations, technical illustrations and adaptive learning platforms.
Our approach is technology-flexible. We select the learning methods and tools that best suit the task, the learner and the client’s operational environment.
3. Competency frameworks and evidence-based assessment
Moving beyond course completion to demonstrated capability.
RelyOn helps organisations define what competent performance looks like and establish the evidence required to demonstrate that standard has been achieved.
Working with clients and industry experts, we develop competency frameworks that connect job roles, work activities, technical knowledge, practical skills, safety behaviours and assessment requirements.
Our services include:
- Role and task analysis and training needs assessments
- Competency standards, skill sets and workforce capability matrices
- Mapping to industry frameworks, nationally recognised units of competency and company-specific requirements
- Knowledge assessments and technical examinations
- Practical assessment instruments, observation checklists and performance criteria
- Workplace evidence requirements and supervised experience records
- Verification of Competency (VoC) frameworks and assessment processes
- Gap analysis, reassessment and ongoing competency maintenance pathways
We design assessment tools to capture relevant, reliable and auditable evidence of knowledge and practical performance.
This enables organisations to make more informed decisions about capability, training investment, deployment readiness and the suitability of workers to undertake safety-critical tasks.
4. Standardised assessment for internal and third-party training providers
One competency standard. Multiple training delivery pathways.
Many organisations rely on a combination of internal instructors, external training providers, contractors and workplace supervisors to develop and maintain workforce competence.
While the method of learning may differ, the required standard of performance should remain consistent.
RelyOn develops structured learning and assessment packages that allow organisations to establish common competency requirements across multiple delivery providers and locations.
These packages can include:
- Defined learning outcomes and technical content standards
- Instructor and assessor guides
- Practical exercise specifications and assessment instruments
- Observable performance criteria and evidence requirements
- Assessment recording and reporting templates
- Trainer and assessor capability requirements
- Moderation, validation and quality assurance processes
- Assessment review, version control and continuous improvement procedures
This approach enables clients to use their own trainers or approved third-party providers while retaining ownership and oversight of their competency standards.
It also supports the onboarding, verification and authorisation of instructors and assessors against agreed technical and assessment requirements.
The result is a more consistent and defensible approach to determining workforce competence, independent of who delivers the learning.
5. Competency pathways, Verification of Competency and authorisation
Connecting learning to workplace responsibility.
Competency development is not necessarily complete when formal training ends.
For many safety-critical roles, workers must also demonstrate practical experience, workplace capability and compliance with company operating requirements before being authorised to undertake particular activities.
RelyOn assists clients to develop structured pathways that connect:
Learning → Knowledge Assessment → Practical Assessment → Workplace Experience → Verification of Competency → Company Authorisation
We support the development of:
- Role-specific competency and progression pathways
- Initial and periodic Verification of Competency processes
- Workplace assessment and evidence collection tools
- Electronic logbooks and supervised practice requirements
- Authorisation criteria for defined operational activities
- Refresher training, reassessment and competency maintenance requirements
- Records and reporting structures to support authorisation decisions
These pathways can be designed for individual organisations, large contractor workforces or common industry applications.
The objective is to ensure that competency and authorisation decisions are supported by transparent standards and documented evidence, rather than training attendance alone.
Final operational authorisation remains with the relevant employer, asset owner or designated authorising authority.
6. Workforce capability assessment and industry benchmarking
Understanding capability, identifying gaps and measuring improvement.
RelyOn supports organisations to assess the capability of individuals and teams against defined performance expectations.
This includes evaluating existing skills, identifying learning needs and measuring the effectiveness of capability development programs.
Our approach can incorporate structured knowledge assessments, practical demonstrations, workplace evidence and advanced diagnostic tools.
One such capability is EXPERTise 2.0, an innovative assessment methodology developed through university research and industry trials.
Rather than relying solely on conventional knowledge testing, EXPERTise 2.0 assesses markers of skilled performance through realistic, task-related scenarios.
Where suitable benchmark data is available, the results can provide evidence-based insights into individual capability relative to experienced practitioners.
These assessments can support:
- Recruitment and candidate assessment
- Identification of workforce skills and capability gaps
- Personalised learning and development plans
- Pre- and post-training performance evaluation
- Company-wide competency baselines
- Comparison with relevant industry performance benchmarks
- Evaluation of training effectiveness and investment
By combining assessment insights with targeted learning interventions, organisations can move from broad training requirements to more precise, evidence-based workforce development strategies.
Global Electrical Learning Library (GELL)
Globally developed technical content, adapted to local requirements.
RelyOn’s Global Electrical Learning Library (GELL) provides a growing library of modular learning content covering electrical skills, electrical safety and associated technical disciplines.
It is the product of collaboration from electrical subject matter experts, instructional designers and digital learning specialists from across our international organisation.
Learning objectives are mapped to relevant technical standards, legislation, operational requirements and competency frameworks, allowing content to be configured for different roles, industries, organisations and jurisdictions.
Through our adaptive learning capability, including Area9 Rhapsode, we can support personalised digital learning, identify individual knowledge gaps and provide targeted learning experiences.
The modular approach allows organisations to reuse consistent technical content across multiple learning formats, from online self-paced learning to instructor-supported classroom delivery.
The advantage is a common technical foundation that can be adapted to local rules, client procedures and operational environments without unnecessarily redeveloping learning materials.
Our approach: From technical requirements to workforce capability
We work collaboratively with clients to develop learning solutions that support immediate operational needs and longer-term workforce capability.
Discover and define
Understand the workforce, operational environment, job roles, regulatory obligations and required performance outcomes.
Design and map
Establish learning objectives, competency standards, assessment criteria and evidence requirements, aligned with industry and company standards.
Develop and validate
Create technically accurate learning content, digital resources, instructor materials and assessment tools, reviewed by subject matter experts.
Deploy and assess
Implement learning through the most appropriate delivery methods, supported by consistent assessment standards and evidence collection.
Measure and improve
Evaluate learner performance, verify competency outcomes, identify gaps and continuously improve content, assessment and workforce capability.
Why organisations partner with RelyOn
Our integrated approach delivers benefits beyond the production of training materials.
Technical credibility – Learning and assessment resources are developed with experienced practitioners who understand the risks, equipment and realities of safety-critical work.
Consistency at scale – Common technical and assessment standards can be applied across sites, regions and delivery providers.
Flexible delivery – Learning can be delivered digitally, in classrooms, through practical facilities or in the workplace to suit operational needs.
Efficient learning investment – Modular and adaptive approaches reduce unnecessary duplication and focus development effort on identified capability gaps.
Evidence-based competency – Structured assessment and documented evidence provide greater confidence in workforce readiness and authorisation decisions.
Long-term value – Reusable learning assets, defined competency frameworks and maintained assessment standards create a sustainable foundation for workforce development.
Need help talk to our Workforce Team Now
Build workforce capability with confidence
Whether you need to modernise existing training content, develop technical eLearning, establish a competency framework, standardise assessment across training providers or introduce evidence-based workforce authorisation pathways, RelyOn can help.
Our technical experts, learning designers and assessment specialists work together to deliver practical, scalable solutions that connect learning with measurable workplace capability.
Talk to our team about your technical learning and competency development requirements today.
