It was all part of a bid to spread the message that workplace learning can have huge benefits for employees and the success of local businesses.

And it has already had an effect, with another Peterborough business deciding to sign up to the pledge this month.

Last year Cross Keys Homes signed the Skills Pledge – a Learning and Skills Council (LSC) initiative which encourages businesses to make a public commitment to workplace learning and skills development for their staff.

At Tuesday's event, it agreed to pass on the baton to other businesses yet to sign up, in a bid to spread the message that staff development and encouraging learning at work can have a huge impact on the success of a business and the local economy.

Cross Keys Homes also received a certificate in recognition of the investment made to help employees gain new skills and qualifications to do their jobs and meet the needs of local business.

The Skills Pledge was launched in 2007 by the LSC to encourage employers to make a public and voluntary commitment to actively support employees in learning and developing their skills.

Area director for the LSC Cambridgeshire Dr Jon Nay thanked the employers for making the Skills Pledge, a public commitment to actively supporting employees in gaining valuable skills.

He said: "The Skills pledge baton is about passing the message on to others on how important it is to make the commitment to training your staff.

"I challenge other businesses to make the same commitment to their employees, wider business community and supply chain and, in doing so, help raise skills across the county."

After signing the pledge, businesses are offered the services of a Train to Gain skills broker to carry out a skills audit of the company and assess its training needs.

Cross Keys Homes took up the offer of this service, and chief executive Mick Leggett said: "We feel that the Train to Gain campaign is a great initiative supporting staff to improve their level of qualification and achieve their goals.

"We are, therefore, pleased to be able to pledge our support and commitment, and would also like to thank the unions for their help and support with this initiative."

Perkins Engines Company has already decided to take part, signing its Skills Pledge earlier this week.

The race is now on for other organisations in Peterborough to make this commitment and release the potential within their business as the Skills Pledge baton continues to make its way around the region.