Transguard extends literacy initiative

12 May 2014 - Employee library programme to reach out to other companies with staff accommodation centres in the region – interest in English literacy gaining traction

Dubai-based business support services company, Transguard Group which has had extensive libraries at its staff accommodation facilities for more than a year, now wants to offer libraries to other companies in the region free of charge, through the Transguard Training Academy.

The initiative was set up by Gillian Cramb, Head of English at the Transguard Academy and there are now 13 libraries each with over 1,000 books. “We are extremely grateful to the second hand book chain, The House of Prose which very generously donates surplus books to us on a regular basis and we would really like to share their generosity with any other companies keen to provide libraries for their employees.”

Gillian says that if a company can provide the space and the bookshelves, Transguard will deliver the books. “It’s a great way to improve literacy skills amongst expatriate workers and we are willing to offer free libraries to other companies that are keen to help their employees improve their English language skills.”

Transguard’s English language training initiative, which offers a choice of 22 proficiency courses from basic English to more advanced studies, witnessed almost 250 employees pass their literacy exam in 2013 and hopes to improve on that number this year.

All new staff members at Transguard are tested for English language proficiency and those who excel are encouraged to take a Cambridge University English exam to attain the internationally recognised IELTS certification.

“Our library facilities and language courses are incredibly popular with employees of all nationalities, last year we had an amazing response when we introduced a book review competition,” said Gillian.

Any company with accommodation facilities in the region that is interested in starting a free library for their employees should email speak.english@transguardgroup.net

Notes to Editor

About Transguard Group

The Transguard Group, an Emirates Group company, was established in 2001 and is now the leading security services provider in the region. The group has diversified significantly and has become an international business support services conglomerate leading in the fields of facilities management, security, training, consultancy, airport services and event management. The group has full-time staff in excess of 20,000 and an experienced international management team. The group is committed to further consolidating market-leading positions while continuing a policy of sustained, planned growth and development. For more details, go to www.transguardgroup.com