Merseytravel has become the first employer to be awarded the Liverpool Quality Reading Award in recognition of the various schemes put in place to facilitate reading for its staff. The award was presented today (8th February) to the Union Learning Representatives and Reading Ahead Champions who support literacy inside and outside of the organisation.

Schools, colleges and now businesses can be accredited with a bronze, silver or gold award, which recognises the effort that they have made in promoting the joy of reading amongst their staff or pupils. Merseytravel are the First non-school organisation to be recognised for this award and has reached Gold standard at the first time of asking.

In order to attain these awards schools and businesses are assessed across six themes, and whether they meet the criteria for bronze, silver or the gold award. The six themes include leadership and management, workforce development and business-wide opportunities for reading for enjoyment.

Merseytravel are working with the Liverpool City of Readers acting as an ambassador organisation for promoting reading to other businesses and organisations across Liverpool.

Merseytravel Chair, Councillor Liam Robinson, said: “We’re very pleased to have been awarded the gold level Liverpool Quality Reading Award, recognising our staff for their commitment to learning and development.

“To be the first non-school employer to receive the award emphasises the work that we do to facilitate reading with staff, the community and public transport users.”

Gill Lawson, School Improvement Officer for School Improvement Liverpool, said: "We are delighted that Merseytravel has embraced the aims of the Liverpool Reading Quality Mark and has become the first non-school employer organisation to achieve the award, and at gold standard."

Merseytravel has several reading projects, both for staff, partner organisations and our customers, which are facilitated in partnership with UnionLearn, The TUC, The Reader, our Union Learning Reps and Reading Ahead Champions, including the Reading Ahead Challenge and the Liverpool City of Readers’ Anytime is Storytime programme.