Early indications are that the seventh annual Learning at Work Day was the best so far with more than 5,600 organisations taking part.

Organisers the Campaign for Learning said that large corporations as well as small businesses showed their commitment to staff development and demonstrated the fun side of learning and the benefits it brings.

Many organisations used the day to promote existing training opportunities to staff who may never have taken part in workplace learning before. Darlington Borough Council used Learning at Work Day to launch its union learning representatives’ network and Oxfordshire County Council hosted taster sessions of existing courses in its learning centre.

Other participants brought in local learning providers to signpost employees to further learning opportunities. Lloyds TSB invited local fitness instructors in to offer health checks and advice while Blackpool Council invited learndirect and Blackpool and Fylde College to put on language sessions, guitar classes and dancing with staff members.

For other organisations breaking the routine was the hallmark of the day. Employees at Innovia Films Ltd in Cumbria tried fitness workouts at their desks while staff at BUPA offices in Leeds went World Cup crazy with sessions on stress management for penalty takers and negotiation skills to get the remote control!

Tricia Hartley, joint chief executive of the Campaign for Learning said: “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.”