Individual learning at the work place : A study how formal and informal learning occur and interact.

Background: Learning is important for companies’ existence in today’s society and many studies discuss the importance of life long learning and learning organizations. An increased understanding for how the individual learn at the work place is importance to study to gain an accepting for how learning occurs, both formal and informal. Purpose: The purpose with this study is to describe the process of learning at the work place from an individual perspective, with focus on how formal and informal learning occur and interact. The purpose is also to confirm, contradict or develop existing theories. Realization: The study is based on eight interviews with consultants at two major banks in Sweden. Results: The study show that formal and informal learning exist at the work place. The formal learning take place throws a license, courses and educations. The informal learning happen throws interaction between colleagues. The study also shows that it exist connections between formal and informal learning. They occur at the same time, during different phases, depend on the situation and circumstances outside the organization lead to a need of both formal and informal learning