The Campaign for Learning has marked Thursday, May 25th as this year's Learning at Work Day. As part of Adult Learners Week, the aim of the Day is to create thousands of learning opportunities, both formal and informal, in workplaces all over the country.

This year senior staff are being asked to offer 'shadowing' opportunities to junior staff so that they can experience whether it really is 'tough at the top'. The Campaign is also encouraging people at work to plan Learning Lunch Hours, Workplace Reading Groups and to focus on skills development such as IT and communication skills.

Campaign for Learning Chief Executive Bill Lucas commented:
'Learning at Work Day has been designed to raise awareness of the importance of learning in the workplace. Job swapping can be an excellent means of learning how your current job impacts on customers as well as colleagues.'

Several high profile bosses have already committed themselves to a job swap on May 25th - the Chief Executive of the Forensic Science Service, Janet Thompson, the Chief Executive of the Association of Colleges, Martin Toogood, Chief Executive of B & Q UK, David Gibson, and the Chief Executive of The Samaritans, Simon Amerson.

A recent survey by found that 84% of employees wanted to try swapping jobs. Valuable insights into how the organisation functions as well as useful learning about different careers can provide people with the incentive to further learning and development. Greater understanding within the workforce can also raise productivity and co-operation as well as engender more positive team spirit. Perhaps next year the Campaign may consider including service users as part of their plans to encourage learning?