Ræktum vitið 2026
02. October 2026Every Step Counts – In Learning Too
Most of us are familiar with the step counter on our phone or watch. It reminds us that our daily physical activity is not limited to going for a run or completing a long workout. The steps also add up when we walk to work, take the stairs or move between meetings. Every step counts.
The same idea lies behind the October campaign organised by Ræktum vitið. Every step we take to strengthen our knowledge and professional skills counts – large or small.
Ræktum vitið is a joint initiative of SVÞ (the Icelandic Federation of Trade and Services), LÍV (the Commerce Federation of Iceland) and VR union. Its aim is to raise awareness of the importance of continuing education and reskilling, and to encourage employees and managers in retail and services to make learning a natural part of the working day.
In October 2026, a special campaign will take place under the Ræktum vitið initiative. Individuals and workplaces can sign up and keep track of the time they spend acquiring work-related knowledge and skills. Workplaces will compete in different categories according to size, with each employee's recorded learning time contributing to their workplace's overall result.
Just like our daily steps, learning does not have to be extensive or complicated to count. It might involve attending a formal course or conference, but it could equally mean reading a professional article, listening to a podcast on the way to work, watching an instructional video, attending an educational session or learning how to use a new tool. A conversation with a colleague or sharing your own knowledge with others can also be a valuable step.
We often learn more during the course of a day than we realise. By recording the time we spend learning, we make that learning visible and can see how the small steps add up. What may seem like ten minutes spent reading here or a short learning session there can amount to a considerable investment in knowledge over the course of a month.
The campaign also provides managers and HR professionals with an excellent opportunity to start conversations about skills, professional development and the future of work. By setting aside time for learning, encouraging employees to participate and making the results visible, workplaces can help strengthen their culture of learning and development.
Now is the time to bring your team together, register your workplace and decide which steps you are going to take this October.
Further information and registration are available at Ræktum vitið.
This article was first published in Mannauður, a special supplement of Morgunblaðið, on 1 October 2026.