When failure isn’t an option, training cannot be a checkbox exercise. In my recent talk in London on “Making Training Stick,” the energy in our forum confirmed what I’ve been hearing from training leaders across high-stakes industries: We need a new blueprint for training that’s not just engaging but genuinely durable — training that doesn’t just check the box but proves that every employee is ready to perform their role safely and competently.

High-stakes sectors like energy, mining, and heavy manufacturing demand nothing less. A single oversight can trigger catastrophic consequences — not just financially, but also in terms of human lives and community impact. Training must be more than instruction; it must be a shield against operational failures.

 

Why Sticky Learning Matters

In my experience, many organisations still treat training as a one-and-done event, with little thought to how durable that learning will be when workers hit the field. The harsh reality? Knowledge decay is real. Without rigorous, ongoing verification of skills and readiness, we’re flying blind.

“Sticky Learning” is my term for training that is:

• Engaging: If learners aren’t drawn in, they won’t retain anything. We need dynamic, relevant content tailored to each worker’s role and context.
• Applicable: Training must bridge the gap between the classroom and the field, translating to real-world on the job performance.
• Durable: Competency must be verified, not assumed. Learning that sticks ensures that employees will execute critical tasks safely, compliantly and effectively.

 

A Realizeit Case Study: Operational Transformation

One of the most compelling examples of sticky learning in action comes from the world’s largest entertainment operator. Faced with thousands of unique roles across parks, resorts, and attractions — each with its own safety protocols and regional compliance requirements — This company needed a training solution that ensured every frontline worker could perform their job to the highest standard, without wasted time or redundant training.

Using Realizeit’s adaptive technology, this client implemented a performance-based assessment model that embedded learning and evaluation directly into the flow of work in the field. Trainers conducted live skill checks using rubrics and iPads capturing competency data in real time. This approach eliminated the need to pull employees away from their operational roles for separate testing, while ensuring that readiness was not just documented but verified on the job by certified trainers and supervisors.

The impact was transformative: the client reduced training time by up to 30% through targeted, role-based learning. Supervisors gained immediate visibility into each frontline worker’s operational readiness, enabling them to optimise their weekly workforce scheduling with confidence. Most importantly, the approach significantly reduced operational risk by ensuring that every employee was not just trained but verified to be competent to handle their responsibilities. 

 

The Human Element in AI-Powered Training

As I discussed in London, AI can supercharge the sticky learning model — but only if it’s implemented with human oversight and operational relevance. Realizeit’s system exemplifies this balance: the system can identify and close individual knowledge gaps vis-à-vis specific roles while supervisor dashboards reveal who where interventions will ensure job readiness and provide a clear audit trail. This combination is critical in high-stakes environments, where failure isn’t just a possibility — it’s a risk that organizations must actively manage.

 

What’s Next?

If your training programme isn’t adaptive, verifiable, and competency-based, you’re already behind. The value of ensuring job readiness for frontline workers in high-stakes environments is non-negotiable. Don’t wait for the next incident to expose the cracks in your training systems.  Be proactive.

Ready to see how Realizeit can help you close training gaps? Download our latest eBook — Closing the Training Gap: How Realizeit’s Adaptive, AI Technology Enables Competency Assurance with Maximum Efficiency — and discover practical steps to transform your training strategy using adaptive, AI technology for immediate impact.

Realizeit is proving that you can be both efficient and effective in delivering high-stakes training and assessments – and that investing in better design and better technology isn’t optional - it’s the cost of readiness.

If any of this resonates with you, let’s talk!

 

Liam O’Meara 

GTM Strategy at Realizeit