US-based UniFirst honoured for providing English classes to immigrant workers

UniFirst Corporation, a major provider of customized work uniform programs, corporate attire, and facility service products to businesses throughout North America and Canada, has received a 2018 Business Leadership Award from English for New Bostonians.

The award recognizes the company’s support of workplace English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes for its employees. The ‘English for New Bostonians’ organisation provides opportunities for immigrants to learn English and pursue their economic, educational, and civic goals.

The award was presented to UniFirst president and CEO Steven Sintros and executive vice president Cynthia Croatti at the “Raising Our Voices” breakfast, an annual awards ceremony held in Boston. The nominating committee selected UniFirst as an award recipient because they help lift the voices of immigrants. The company offers free weekly ESOL classes after work for the diverse work force at its various Massachusetts locations. The program, implemented two years ago, has been such an overwhelming success in helping these employees succeed in the workplace that it is now included in the company’s local benefits package. The company hopes to expand the program into other locations across North America.