Technical Learning Consultants Inc. began under the aegis of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (SPIRC), now Catalyst Connection. Catalyst Connection is a non-profit consulting group that provides technical assistance to small- and medium-sized manufacturers. Catalyst is funded by Pennsylvania's Department of Community and Economic Development and the federal Manufacturing Extension Partnership.

In 1997, Jim Hayes, the Manager, Education & Training for SPIRC wanted to use commonly-available video, photo, graphics, and authoring software programs to produce effective, efficient, and affordable customized technical training for small to medium-sized manufacturers. At that time, only large companies were creating customized training for internal use.

Jim recruited two advisors and computer science student interns from the University of Pittsburgh. By 2000, the group had completed two computer-based technical training projects, the first on the manufacture of custom windows, and the second, a Health and Safety Compliance Advisor for Manufacturers.

In 2001, Scott Grumski joined the team as a project director and technical knowledge specialist. By 2003, the group had completed an additional seven computer-based technical training projects for manufacturers.

In April of 2003, the Board of Directors authorized Catalyst Connection’s management to assist Jim and Scott in creating an independent company and to license to it the intellectual property and client goodwill the group had developed in their six years at SPIRC/Catalyst Connection.

Technical Learning Consultants, LLC. began operations in Tarentum, PA on June 1, 2003. Scott Grumski and Jim Hayes were founding partners.

On January 1, 2008, Scott bought Jim's half of the company, and became President of Technical Learning Consultants, Inc. Jim continues to work on Technical Learning Consultants projects as an independant consultant.