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The words 'allotment,' 'Scalextric,' and 'hanging basket' might seem like random entries from the Oxford English Dictionary, but they all have one thing in common: over the past month, they have all been mentioned in relation to Manchester Airport.

During June, the Ringway site made the headlines with its innovative allotment scheme, whereby employees were given plots of land to grow their own plants and vegetables. The only condition was that they avoided growing anything that would attract birds, such as fruit and large trees.

When Manchester's Escape Lounge was unveiled on the 1 July, business folk were able to discover the airport's 'quirky' side for the first time – the new £1.7m lounge has been fitted with games consoles and a full Scalextric track. Matt Etchells, the airport's project manager, noted that the racing set is popular with travellers of all ages.

Perhaps the most interesting development at Manchester, however, is its £120,000 'airport learning' scheme, which allows staff members to ditch their job for a few hours, and learn a completely unrelated skill, such as photography, a new language, or how to make a hanging basket.

Bosses claim that the initiative has produced a marked decrease in the number of sick days taken by employees, and helped drive customer complaints down. Tracey Thompson, the coordinator of Manchester's Airport Learning Centre, declared herself 'proud' of those who had participated in the horticulture class.

'It gives them another strength to their bow. Instead of just coming to work, they have another interest,' Tracey explained. 'It is all about having a happier and better qualified workforce, and that can only be a good thing.' The next phase of the horticulture class, which recently included the demonstration on hanging baskets, revolves around the humble plant pot.

Hundreds of people have already finished their course, according to the airport, with a further 400 waiting for a chance to participate in one of the nine subjects on offer. Lessons in career planning, deaf awareness, and first aid have already proved popular with airport employees.

More courses are expected throughout the summer.