From UV dodgeball and food foraging to mental health and sign language – how UK employers are marking Learning at Work Week

As Learning at Work Week 2025 kicks off today, employers and organisations across the country have been sharing why they invest in and champion learning and development at work, and what they will be doing for the week. 

A strong driver for learning and development is the need to adopt and adapt to fast-changing technology such as AI, which is having an impact across organisational functions including finance, sales and marketing. As DMA, CEO, Rachel Aldigheri explains: 

"To thrive in a data and tech-driven world, marketing professionals must embrace continuous learning as a cornerstone of professionalisation. Building AI and tech-confident teams starts with cultivating the right mindset—one that values rigour, responsibility, and up-to-date expertise. Workplace learning not only empowers individuals to stay ahead, spark innovation and lead with confidence, but also elevates the standards of our entire industry. At the DMA, our people principle is grounded in fostering a culture of ongoing development because we believe that investing in people is essential to future-proofing and professionalising the marketing industry." 

Many organisations are taking part in Learning at Work Week as part of their ongoing commitment to support personal and professional development. 

At medical communications agency, Aspire Scientific, investment in L&D is a core part of their company’s values. Charlotte Cookson, Senior Scientific Director and Learning and Development Lead illustrates the way Aspire Scientific supports continuous learning for the benefit of colleagues and the business: 

“Our L&D team is dedicated to not only identifying staff development needs but also providing individual and group training and learning. This includes our Inspirations Programme for entry-level writers, which has been developed to provide a strong grounding in core medical communications skills and projects through workshops, self-directed learning and mentoring. For Learning at Work Week, we will be offering the team many opportunities for development including from internal and external speakers and resources that provide different perspectives on communications at work.”  
 
Telent, a leading technology company and specialist that design, builds, supports and manages the UK’s critical digital infrastructure, will be using Learning at Work Week to promote its learning offering to colleagues and drive engagement and increase uptake in learning activity. Libby Milsom, Head of Talent Development, explains: 

“We invest heavily in learning and training across the organisation, both through central L&D and local learning teams focusing on a range of skills at all levels. We have thriving apprentice and graduate programmes and encourage lifelong learning in the business through management development, bitesize and on demand offerings. We also learn through our core values and these are supported by our 12 Community Groups. We have had sessions on Imposter Syndrome, Neurodiversity in the Workplace and Men's Mental Health that all foster inclusivity and awareness. For Learning at Work Week, we want to build on the theme of "Get Connected" and the activity strands of 'grow, inspire and explore' to focus attention on: career tools and development, sharing your learning with others in the business (social learning), and exploring something new via our learning catalogue.” 

Sheetal Revis, Learning & Development Manager at Avidity, the parent company of a group of agencies who offer a range of specialist sales and marketing services to help brands sell more, shares Avidity's goals for the week: 

"For Learning at Work Week, we are planning a range of engaging activities designed to help our teams pause, connect, and focus on their development—whether it’s for five minutes or a full day. Our goal is to create space for learning that sparks new thinking, builds confidence, and encourages collaboration across the business. We believe that investing in continuous learning isn’t just good for individual growth—it’s essential for business success. Learning helps us navigate change, adapt to challenges, and stay competitive in an ever-evolving environment. Through a mix of structured programmes, on-demand resources, taster sessions delivered by trusted partners and online learning spaces hosted by our own colleagues, we’re proud to foster a culture where development is part of the everyday.” 

At Blackpool and The Fylde College, they're using Learning at Work Week to also highlight volunteering opportunities alongside professional development. Linda Dean, Deputy Principal, expands on this: “For Learning at Work Week 2025, we are looking forward to delivering a range of half-hour sessions covering all kinds of interests related to wellbeing. 

“These range from wild food foraging and cold-water dipping to meditation, crafting and sports – and we’ll also be promoting volunteering opportunities with organisations like the Samaritans, local befriending groups, Blackpool Football Club, scouts, Trinity Hospice and many more. This is all part of our £1.2m annual investment in Professional Development which sees all our colleagues benefitting from a significant programme of cross-college professional development days, team days, professional updating days and conferences across the year. This gives each employee dedicated time for lifelong learning.” 

Companies also see Learning at Work Week as an opportunity to bring colleagues together to connect and build learning communities at work through special events and engaging activities. 

allpay Limited, a leading payment service provider, sees investment in continual learning and development as crucial for driving innovation, enhance employee skills and foster and culture of continuous improvement. Mandy Knott, Learning and Development Manager, allpay Limited explains how Learning at Work Week will help colleagues engage with learning: 

“This year at allpay, we are excited to focus our week on providing the allpay team with a variety of opportunities to 'connect' with learning. In collaboration with our Mental Health First Aid team, we are running activities that promote 'connect' and 'community'. Our goal is to foster connection, inspire growth, and build a supportive community through engaging activities such as a Cyber Escape Room, videocast highlighting career journeys, letter writing to reflect on personal growth, team-building events with The Viking Games, and Human Bingo showcasing hobbies and community involvement.” 

One of Learning at Work Week’s key values is ‘inclusive lifelong learning’, promoting the importance of extending learning and development activities to everyone at work.  

Sophie Muirhead, Learning and Development Manager at Horizon Leisure, a charitable trust based in South East England explains their approach:  

“Learning at Work Week allows different teams, departments and levels across the business to share their skills and deliver learning opportunities together. We provide a diverse range of activities and address barriers to participation, ensuring all colleagues, regardless of their position, role or career path, feel valued and know that learning is accessible throughout their time with us. For this year's Learning at Work week, we're running a packed schedule of activities across multiple sites, including sign language classes, stress management webinars, creative team building, CPR training, wellbeing walks and fun sessions like UV dodgeball and an escape room.” 

Taking Care, part of AXA Health, is a leading supplier of emergency alarm solutions for elderly and vulnerable people. Janet Craig, Learning and Development Manager at Taking Care, explains how they have designed their Learning at Work Week to include as many colleagues as possible: 

“This year, Learning at Work Week has actually morphed into LAW fortnight! The reason we extend? To ensure that as many of our team members can find time to attend as many events as possible, whilst still providing an uninterrupted emergency service to our vulnerable customers.    

“We surveyed our teams – ahead of the event – to find out what they really wanted to hear and learn about.  We are really lucky to have secured a great mix of internal ‘subject matter experts’ and external speakers at this years’ event.  We’re thrilled to have the RNLI come along to talk to our teams about staying safe on our beautiful Devon beaches and our VIP Speaker is Don Armand – former Exeter Chiefs and International Rugby player, who now gives thought-provoking workshop/speaker sessions on Leadership, Culture, Teams and Mindset. The programme will be opened up by our MD, Steve Gates, and the Senior Leadership Team, who are passionate advocates of all L&D initiatives and are all currently studying via our Mindset III Programme.  We live our learning culture all year round.” 

While Learning at Work Week has become an event in the calendar, the hope is that the benefits and innovative practice displayed during the week will become part of each organisation’s culture for the rest of the year and beyond.  

Louise Cairns, CEO of the National Skills Academy for Food & Drink, sums this up: "Learning at Work Week represents a powerful opportunity for our entire network to grow together. The diverse sessions being offered – covering everything from project management to mental wellness – showcase our collective commitment to professional development and learning.  

“I'm particularly excited to see how the knowledge shared during this week will strengthen not just individual capabilities, but the connections between all members of our network. By opening these learning pathways, we're creating a more resilient, innovative industry, where best practices and fresh insights can benefit everyone." 

Julia Wright, National Director at Campaign for Learning, the organisers of Learning at Work Week, said: "To get on in work and in life, we all need to learn throughout our lives – whether it's through formal education or wider activities. The workplace remains one of the most important and recognised contexts for developing ourselves.  

“That's why employers are so crucial in promoting the importance of lifelong learning as well as providing opportunities and support for employees to train, reskill and develop their careers. We are delighted so many companies and organisations recognise the benefits and are using Learning at Work Week once again to shine a spotlight on lifelong learning.” 

To follow what’s happening for Learning at Work Week in companies, organisations and workplaces across the country, follow Campaign for Learning on Linkedin, and Learning at Work Week on Bluesky and X and use #LearningAtWorkWeek and #GetConnected