Purpose: The aim of this study is to analyse young adults’ positive experiences of learning when entering the labour market.

Design/methodology/approach: The study is based on 13 individual in-depth interviews with young adults (aged 18–28) working within the retail sector in Sweden. The interviews explored the interviewees’ experiences when entering the workforce, focusing on positive experiences of learning.

Findings: The findings highlight the relationship between learning and encounters with others both within and outside work, that is, with colleagues and customers as well as with family and friends. Learning is mostly depicted as informal and as related to work and here, more experienced colleagues, openness, trust and equality as well as self-initiative, responsibility and autonomy are highlighted.

Originality/value: Taking its point of departure in a health promotion perspective, the study reinforces the perspective of workplace learning as an interplay between contextual (work-related) factors and personal factors by highlighting the importance of relationships outside the workplace for understanding the experiences of learning when new at work. Furthermore, the study examines how the learning needs of young adults relate not only to the work itself but to the experience of entering the labour market.