Are you the Alex Ferguson of the workplace?

The Campaign for Learning is co-ordinating the fourth Learning at Work Day on 16th May 2002, as part of Adult Learners Week. The aim of the day is to make learning a part of everyday working life and highlight the benefits of providing learning opportunities to all staff.

The Campaign for Learning is co-ordinating the fourth Learning at Work Day on 16th May 2002, as part of Adult Learners Week. The aim of the day is to make learning a part of everyday working life and highlight the benefits of providing learning opportunities to all staff. The Campaign is particularly looking to include employees who do not traditionally benefit from workplace learning. With fears of a recession looming, developing the talents of your existing workforce is now more important than ever.

¡¥Learning at Work Day is more than just a great way to develop the talents of your workforce at all levels,¡¦ said Campaign for Learning Chief Executive, Bill Lucas. ¡¥ It also helps employers position their organisation as one that will attract new talent. Learning at Work Day is about making learning enjoyable, habit-forming and productive.¡¦

Last year¡¦s Learning at Work Day was a huge success involving an estimated 2,500 employers. These included Unilever, British Gas, Esso, Lloyds TSB as well as numerous County councils, local colleges and small businesses. Approximately 500,000 employees were given the opportunity to participate in learning activities ranging from juggling and hat making to job swapping and French lessons. The Campaign is hoping this year¡¦s Day will reach even more employees.

One of the themes of this year¡¦s Day is the importance of coaching skills. The concept of a sports coach is familiar to everyone but using coaching skills to develop staff is not a widespread practice. How a manager coaches his or her staff has an enormous influence on learning at work. Managers who want to find out if their coaching style resembles that of Alex Ferguson or Glen Hoddle should visit www.campaign-for-learning from March 1st to take the on-line Coaching Skills Quiz.

Learning from experience can be as important as attending formal courses and the Campaign is hoping to encourage more informal learning in the workplace. Last year several high profile business leaders including John Edmunds, the General Secretary of the GMB and Mary Chapman, Director General of the Institute of Managers completed Learning Diaries to help them become more conscious of their experiential learning to improve working practices and avoid repeating mistakes.

To support organisations taking part in Learning at Work Day the Campaign for learning provides a variety of resources and materials. Free publicity materials include planning guides packed with advice and tips for your own event and posters to help promote the day to employees. More help and guidance will be available on-line as well as competitions and free e-learning resources. Employers can register to receive free planning and publicity materials by calling 0117 966 7755.

For more information about Learning at Work and how to get involved contact Michelle Wake or Louise Thomas at the Campaign for Learning on 020 7930 1111 or visit our website at www.campaign-for-learning.org.uk

Notes to editors:

„h You can e-mail Louise Thomas at lthomas@cflearning.org.uk
„h The Campaign for Learning has Regional Directors working in the North, Midlands and Southern Regions. They can contacted on:
Southern Region Director: Linda Siegle on01823 660040,e-mail: lsiegle@cflearning.org.uk
Northern Region Director: Geoffrey O¡¦Donoghue on 01925 419013, e-mail: godonoghue@cflearning.org.uk
Midlands Region Director: Heather Rutledge on 0121 643 0774, e-mail: hrutledge@cflearning.org.uk
„h Adult Learners¡¦ is organised by NIACE. Call Sue Duffen or Kate Malone on 0116 2044 200 for details.
„h The Campaign for Learning is an independent charity that is working to create an appetite for learning throughout society. It is funded by both the private and public sector, including the DfES, ntl, Edexel, Centrica, National Grid, and Celemi. It organises national awareness campaigns such as Family Learning Weekend and Learning at Work Day. Organisations that would like to participate in either event should register their interest by calling 0117 966 7755.