What happened last year

The 7th annual Learning at Work Day on 25 May 2006 outshone our expectations by being one of the largest celebrations ever of workplace learning in England. Our figures suggest an estimated 5,600 organisations took part, showing their employees the fun side of training and development and the benefits it can bring to both work and home life. Large corporations including BUPA, Lloyds TSB and Thomson Directories showed their commitment to staff development and offered everything from relaxation techniques to self-defence. NHS Trusts, small family run businesses and large regional employers also joined in the national learning fun.

Tricia Hartley, our joint Chief Executive, was delighted with the success of the Day: 'Once again organisations have amazed us with their imaginative and creative learning activities and what they are able to achieve through Learning at Work Day. The response from all types of organisations has been terrific with the numbers taking part growing for the seventh year in succession.'

Minister for Skills Phil Hope showed his support by officially launching the Day on the eve of Learning at Work Day at an evening reception at the DTI Conference Centre. Mr Hope MP quizzed fellow guests including business leaders, Trades Union representatives, workplace learning providers and Campaign supporters, on their own learning experiences at work. Guest speakers were then invited to share their learning stories in more detail. The Minister praised the work of the Campaign saying, 'Learning at Work Day gives us the chance to celebrate the inspirational learning that is taking place in workplaces, which highlights the benefits of learning to people that may have lost out at school. I am enormously grateful to the Campaign for Learning for all their work helping to put learning in the workplace at the top of the agenda.'

Learning at Work Day 2006 Key Statistics

• an estimated 5,600 events took part in Learning at Work Day
  
• 77% of organisations signposted participants to further learning opportunities in the workplace
• 78% of organisations signposted participants to further learning opportunities outside of the workplace
• over 46% of organisations organised events with a Skills for Life dimension
• 56% or organisations ran Learning at Work Day in partnership with external organisations including colleges, training providers, universities and information, advice and guidance services
• a quarter of organisations said that participants were following or followed higher level qualification based courses as a direct result of Learning at Work Day
• 65% of organisations said that particpants carried on with courses studied on Learning at Work Day or consolidated their skills by following learning directly related to their work
• 77% or Learning at Work Day organisers  said getting involved in Learning at Work Day helped to develop their own skills and or increased their understanding of promoting learning in the workplace
• there were an average of 33,000 visits per month to the Learning at Work Day website in the lead up to Learning at Work Day
• 96% of organisations that took part in 2006 plan to get involved in Learning at Work Day 2007