The New Zealand government has determined strategies to encourage research-driven innovation which include close collaboration between industry and the academic communities. In response to such direction, the Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec) has developed a set of research-based, transdisciplinary qualifications grounded in real-world industry contexts. To assist learners in undertaking successful research inquiry, the transdisciplinary curriculum development team has developed an online training needs analysis instrument that enables learners to identify their readiness to undertake transdisciplinary research. The training needs analysis tool is supported by a reflective framework which assists the learner to self-reflect upon their levels of skills and knowledge against internationally-accepted standards. The intention of such tools is to enable the learner to commence the process of self-empowerment within the learning environment.