SALSA dancing, sign language and massage were just some off the activities taking place at the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) yesterday as part of Learning at Work Day 2003.

Learning at Work Day is part of Adult Learners Week and is designed to promote learning in the workplace by encouraging employers to allow employees to learn something new during the day.

The Learning and Skills Council, Herefordshire and Worcestershire, based in Midland Road, Worcester, sponsors the day, in conjunction with the Department of Trade and Industry, and Unison, the public sector workers' union.

"Developing staff through learning has been proven to improve almost every aspect of an organisation's performance," said a spokesman for the LSC.

"The effects range from reducing customer complaints and lowering absenteeism, to decreasing employee turnover."

Other activities organised at Worcester' LSC office to celebrate Learning at Work Day included learning about Italian and Indian food, stress management, Appalachian dancing and drawing.

High-profile individuals were also asked to take part in job swaps throughout Britain for the Learning at Work Day, organised by the Campaign for Learning.