“Got the new computer. Unreal. So, so, so much power. Good work Serco.” Text message feedback on Serco's Take IT Home scheme from Max Whitefoot to his father John Whitefoot, Head of Employment Relations, Serco Group plc.

Take IT Home – our home computing scheme for UK employees – proved an immediate success following its launch in August. The scheme is part of a nationwide government initiative designed to encourage computer use at home. According to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), schemes of this type are “an extremely powerful catalyst for any organisation that wants to exploit the clear and indisputable link between individual learning, workplace productivity and overall competitiveness”.

Take IT Home gives employees the chance to obtain a state-of-the-art home PC package from Dell, as well as ongoing technical support. Monthly payments are deducted direct from salary before tax, which makes the scheme a very cost-effective way for Serco families to join the IT revolution. In total, 1,600 Serco employees took part in the scheme.