The Royal Mail has completed the second phase of the UK's largest Home Computing Inititative - with 22,000 employees currently taking advantage of the scheme.

The Royal Mail first introduced the programme last November, signing up 16,500 employees. Having proved so popular, the scheme was launched again, prompting a further 5,500 people to register.

The scheme is run in conjunction with Futuremedia, whose Learning For All programme complements Royal Mail' s existing corporate e-learning programmes by providing access to the Internet for those who lack it in their work environment.

The HCI also benefits its employees and their families by introducing individual learning, home shopping via the Internet, email, games and multimedia entertainment.

Tony McCarthy, Royal Mail people and organisational director said: "The vast majority of our workforce are postmen and women who spend most of their working day out of the office delivering letters and parcels to addresses across the UK.

"They do not have access to a PC learning in the workplace, but many of them do have a high desire to develop their skills. We wanted to introduce a scheme which allows them, and their families, to cost-effectively enjoy the benefits that access to a computer can bring."

Mats Johansson, chief executive officer of Futuremedia, added: "We've uniquely maximised the reach of e-learning as well as helped Royal Mail improve employee motivation.

"Since November' s original launch, Royal Mail and Futuremedia have won a prestigious Employee Benefits Award, demonstrating the value of this initiative to both Royal Mail employees and the business."