Companies including BT, Barclays and Google have signed up to the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) scheme, which aims to promote good practice among employers.

Skills minister John Hayes said: "Businesses have a pivotal role in promoting adult learning, and so have a unique opportunity to change, and indeed improve, people's lives. In turn they can reap the harvest of a productive and engaged workforce.

"The many household names that have pledged to push informal workplace learning through the Café Culture campaign is testament to the value they place on developing new skills.

"I am delighted to see such positive results and look forward to seeing adult learning continue to grow at work."

The 'Café Culture' campaign was launched in 2009, and aims to translate the idea of a wide café culture into an office environment to encourage teamwork, creativity and skills.

BIS has also published a 'Building the Cafe Culture Movement' resource, which includes case studies to help other organisations see the benefits of informal adult learning at work.

Susannah Fairbairn

(Pictured: Skills minister John Hayes)