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Charities join forces to encourage workplace reading

National charities the Campaign for Learning and The Reading Agency have joined forces with the aim of inspiring workplace reading for Learning at Work Day 2010.

The charities are inviting companies to take up the Six Book Challenge as part of their Learning at Work Day activities and be in with a chance of winning a visit from a top author, courtesy of Transworld publishers.

Learning at Work Day, which takes place on 20 May 2010, encourages organisations all over the country to run learning activities to inspire a culture of learning in the workplace.

The annual Six Book Challenge, which starts from January 2010, encourages less confident readers to read six books and record their reading in a diary to receive a certificate on completion.

To be eligible for the prize draw companies will need to involve a minimum of 50 employees in the Six Book Challenge in addition to marking Learning at Work Day on 20 May 2010.

Genevieve Clarke, senior project manager at The Reading Agency, said: "An increasing number of workplaces are finding that the Six Book Challenge engages employees in a new reading habit and gets them thinking about opportunities for improving their skills. There's an obvious fit with Learning at Work Day and we're excited about working with the Campaign for Learning and Transworld Publishers to make this a reality."

Tricia Hartley, chief executive of the Campaign for Learning, said: "Our research shows that people would rather work for an employer that offers learning opportunities than one which offers higher wages but few opportunities. Taking up the Six Book Challenge is a great way for organisations to show their commitment to learning and their staff and we are delighted to team up with the Reading Agency and Transworld Publishers to support this through Learning at Work Day 2010."

Alison Barrow, head of media relations at Transworld Publishers, said: "Transworld is delighted to be working with the Campaign for Learning and the Reading Agency on their initiative to combine Learning at Work Day with the Six Book Challenge, to raise the profile of reading in the workplace and to bring books and authors to the widest possible audience."

The Reading Agency launched the Six Book Challenge as an annual incentive scheme for less confident readers in 2008. The charity says 9000 people took part in 2009 through libraries, colleges, adult education, prisons and workplaces. The Reading Agency reports that 90% of participants said they feel more confident about reading after taking part, and tutors say that the Challenge improves learners' confidence, increases their motivation and helps them develop a reading habit.

National Learning at Work Day is co-ordinated by the national charity Campaign for Learning. Learning at Work Day 2010 is on the theme of 'Creating Connections' and is part of Adult Learners' Week. Learning at Work Day is supported by the Learning and Skills Council, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, Investors in People and work communications.

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Six Book Challenge

National Learning at Work Day

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