Playmobil's We Learn initiative has won a Foundation for Human Resource Development (FHRD) Award for Excellent Training and Development Initiative 2009.

The award was presented to Ivan Refalo, performance and development manager and Michael Cutugno, chief commercial officer at this year's award ceremony held at the Intercontinental Hotel.

Through the We Learn scheme Playmobil is offering learning opportunities to all its employees

This scheme goes beyond the ongoing training that Playmobil regularly gives its employees which is directly linked to the job. The company is utilising ETC’s initiative for lifelong learning by offering learning opportunities to its employees.

Newly setup classrooms and tailored timetables make it as convenient as possible for employees to attend and learn subjects offered from very basic levels. Lessons are regularly scheduled either before or after work and they are held at Playmobil premises.

In the first phase of this scheme employees in the first industrial grades were specifically targeted.

More than 250 employees applied for one or more courses.

Over 400 applications were received in total.

The first courses offered are in English, digital literacy and ECDL.

Lessons started in October. Other courses, including technical and leadership courses, will be offered in the next phase of the scheme from early next year.