Here at DLC Training, we truly believe that learning is a continuous journey. Whether you are expanding your knowledge, honing a skill, or seeking personal growth, learning never stops. That’s why we’re excited to celebrate Learning at Work Week, a time when organisations and individuals focus on the importance of workplace learning and development.

What is Learning at Work Week?

Learning at Work Week (LAWW) is an annual event that highlights the benefits of employee development. The theme of the week changes every year, with this year’s theme being “Get Connected.” This is all about building connections through learning, whether it’s connecting employees to new knowledge, fostering team collaborations, or inspiring individuals to continue their learning journeys. The three activity strands include:

  • Connect and Grow
  • Connect and Inspire
  • Connect and Share

Connect and Grow

The “Connect and Grow” activity strand highlights the importance of confidence and motivation for overcoming barriers to lifelong learning. Below, we explore a few key ways of achieving this:

Fostering a Growth Mindset

When employees adopt a growth mindset – the belief that abilities and skills can be developed through effort and learning – they become more resilient and motivated. They also become more open to challenges and gain the confidence to tackle them. Learn more about fixed and growth mindsets.

Connect to the ‘Why’

Understanding the purpose and meaning of our work and lives can motivate us to learn. To do this, organisations can highlight the benefits of learning to employees by running sessions on “what’s in it for you”. Our blog, How to Find a Job You Love, refers to reasons why people may be lacking purpose in their roles, and how aligning values with work can really help to give your day-to-day more meaning.

Learning How to Learn

By understanding how we best learn new information, we can optimise our learning by applying relevant techniques and approaches. To help employees learn more about their learning styles, you can direct them to the VARK Learning Guide on our Resources page.

Connect and Inspire

Employees who serve as coaches, mentors, managers, or leaders each play distinct roles in the workplace, but they all share the ability to inspire their colleagues. By encouraging reflection on learning journeys, goals, and opportunities, they help create a culture of growth and motivate others to engage with available learning opportunities. Use LAWW to tap into the power of coaches and mentoring by considering one of the following:

Leaders and Managers as Coaches

Being able to coach others is increasingly seen as an important capability for managers and leaders. This is because it allows them to facilitate problem-solving and their colleagues’ development in collaborative and empowering ways. Use LAWW as an opportunity to help leaders and managers build their coaching capabilities through practical, engaging learning experiences. Access our guide to learn more about strategic coaching.

Coach to Success

Consider assembling a team of coaches to offer dedicated coaching sessions during LAWW. Focus these sessions on learning, development, and career growth, giving colleagues the chance to explore their strengths, identify areas for improvement, and reflect on their professional goals.

Connect to a Mentor

Use LAWW as a platform to showcase the value of mentoring and the variety of forms it can take, such as one-to-one, co-mentoring, group mentoring, reverse mentoring, and peer mentoring. Encourage colleagues to get involved by signing up as mentors or mentees, with matching opportunities offered during the week.

Connect and Share

Sharing knowledge, ideas, and useful tools across the organisation is a great way to improve how we work while strengthening our relationships. When people connect with each other, they often feel more motivated, appreciated, and part of the team, which boosts overall wellbeing.

Sharing ideas with colleagues from external organisations can also bring in new perspectives and drive innovation. It’s a great way to transfer important knowledge between colleagues and different generations.

You can encourage this culture within your organisation by:

  • Sharing lessons learned: Ask leaders and managers to talk about the key lessons they’ve learned in their careers, how they handled tough times, and how those experiences shaped their approach to work.
  • Connecting through shared interests: Support existing communities of practice and help new ones form. These are groups where people who care about the same topics can learn from each other and improve their skills.
  • Exploring new ideas: Invite colleagues to run short “how to” sessions on their hobbies, passions, or areas of expertise. These could include anything from learning a new language or doing creative activities such as painting or photography, to tips on healthy eating, fitness, or  sustainable living.

The Long-Term Impact of Learning at Work Week

While Learning at Work Week is a fantastic event for sparking learning and engagement, the true value lies in the long-term impact of developing a culture of continuous learning. At DLC Training, we believe that learning is an ongoing journey, one that should be embedded into everyday business practice. When organisations do this, they can:

  • Enhance employee performance and productivity
  • Boost morale and job satisfaction
  • Promote innovation and adaptability
  • Support professional growth and career progression

As we celebrate Learning at Work Week, let’s remember that learning is not a one-off event, it’s a powerful, ongoing process that benefits both individuals and organisations in countless ways.

Get Started with DLC Training

This Learning at Work Week, DLC Training is here to help you make the most of this opportunity to connect your employees to meaningful learning experiences. With our flexible, online courses, we can help your organisation grow and thrive through learning. Whether you’re looking to introduce new training programmes or support existing ones, we’re here to help you build a culture that values learning and development every day.

Ready to get started? Explore our online courses today and discover how DLC Training can support your organisation during Learning at Work Week and beyond.