The pledge underlines the commitment of the UK business community to raise literacy levels by taking action in three specific areas; in their workforce, in their local area and at a national level.
The National Literacy Forum, a coalition led by the National Literacy Trust and supported by KPMG, has spearheaded the pledge.
To fulfill the pledge and help to improve literacy in Liverpool, Prinovis UK, which is based in the city, will hold a series of events throughout 2016 including a workplace reading challenge, sponsored literacy events and outreach with local schools.
The company, which recently became 100% owned by Bertelsmann, will also stage a reading-themed Christmas party on 22 December for its employees’ children.
The party will be staged at the headquarters of The Reader Organisation, the Liverpool-based charity that promotes shared reading as a practical way to develop good mental health, increased wellbeing and social inclusion.
In May Prinovis UK ran an event for the charity called ‘Prinovis SOS’, which saw the firm enlist the help of its workforce to refurbish one of the rooms used to hold readings at the charity’s premises, which is based around three miles from Prinovis UK’s print site.
Prinovis UK commercial project manager Matthew Cox said: “We approached The Reader Organisation because they are based locally and share a number of our beliefs. Prinovis SOS was a good starting activity because we could give something back to the charity with a lasting legacy.
“Because of our existing relationship with The Reader – we were already planning to collaborate with them in 2016 – they approached us to be the first North West business to support the literacy pledge.
“Our involvement both supports The Reader Organisation and also recognises the need to support literacy within the business and also in the wider community.”
Prinovis UK’s work as part of the Vision for Literacy Business Pledge 2016 also supports the goals of other high-profile literacy campaigns including 'Read On. Get On.' and the Fair Education Alliance.
The Literacy Trust has said that up to 35% of the adult population lacks the literacy skills expected of an 11-year-old in some areas of the UK. KPMG estimates that a failure to master basic literacy skills costs the taxpayer up to £2.5bn every year.
National Literacy Trust director Jonathan Douglas said: “Business has a crucial role to play in helping to raise literacy levels across the country, increasing our economic competiveness and creating a fairer society.
“We are delighted that Prinovis UK is taking important action to help ensure that every young person is equipped with the literacy skills they need for employment and life.”
