The training of radiotherapy technicians is of vital importance for a department of radiation oncology. More than one third of the staff is employed in this profession. Recruitment, training and retention of staff are closely related human resource instruments that impact on the department’s quantitative and qualitative performance. Training is probably the most dominant instrument for implementing therapy to the highest standards. This paper addresses issues that are related to the development of competency-based training programmes and the successful transfer of training results to the workplace.