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THE ADVANTAGES OF

THE WELSH LANGUAGE

IN THE WORLD OF WORK

Briefing Paper and Case Studies

prepared by

for

funded by

December 2010

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Advantages of the Welsh Language in the World of Work:Briefing Paper and Case Studies - Trywydd Cyf

CONTENTS

Page

1. Introduction 3

2. Aims and Objectives 3

3. ‘Developing a Bilingual Workplace’: Policy Background 4

4. Welsh in the Workplace: The National Picture 6

5. Welsh and the Workplace: A Regional Picture 9

6. Dewis Da: Identifying Advantages 11

7. The 6 Priority Sectors 22

APPENDIX A: CASE STUDIES 28

APPENDIX B: PODCAST SCRIPTS 40

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1. Introduction

1.1. The Welsh Language Board, in collaboration with Careers Wales has commissioned Trywydd Cyf to research and present evidence of the advantages of bilingualism and the economic benefits of the Welsh language for young people. The findings will include evidence, appropriate examples and case studies at national and local level. These will be targeted at young people and placed on the Careers Wales website.

2. Aims and Objectives

2.1 This introductory paper focuses upon: Welsh Assembly Government policy priorities in developing bilingual

and vocational education training; relevant research, both academic and vocational, into the advantages

of Welsh Language skills; employer evidence relating directly to the advantages of bilingualism as

a skill in the workplace; the economic advantages of the Welsh language in relation to six

specific vocational subject areas.

2.2 The paper also served as a means of initiating discussions with each Careers Wales company at regional level thus enabling Trywydd Cyf to further develop the six vocational subject areas into case studies which include:

background information about companies which benefit from offering bilingual services to the public;

linguistic profile of company staff and the use of Welsh in the workplace;

specific reasons as to the importance of Welsh to the company and the economic advantages related to offering bilingual services;

employment opportunities within the sector at regional and national level.

2.3 It is imperative that the evidence gleaned as part of this project is used and presented by Careers Wales in an innovative way which appeals to its target audience. In addition to presenting written evidence, Trywydd Cyf have also provided 30 second podcasts for each case study.

2.4 Finally, Trywydd Cyf recognises the diverse linguistic nature of each region represented and serviced by Careers Wales. Each region faces different challenges in meeting the Welsh Assembly Government’s objective of “creating a truly bilingual Wales”. However, the aim of this project is to demonstrate that each region is able to offer varying and exciting opportunities to young people and workplaces through the medium of Welsh, at both local and national level.

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3. ‘Developing a Bilingual Workplace’: Policy Background

3.1 The Welsh Assembly Government has identified the importance of developing a bilingual workforce since the introduction of its national action plan for a bilingual Wales: Iaith Pawb in 2003 .

Several subsequent key policy developments have focused upon ensuring that young people are able to undertake vocational education and training through the medium of Welsh, namely the current Learning Pathways 14-19 agenda, and its Welsh medium Education Strategy (2010). The Welsh Assembly Government has also noted a requirement for each Sector Skills Council to develop a Welsh language strategy for each sector as part of their licensing process.

There is, therefore, a planning mechanism in place to ensure that young people in Wales are able to follow relevant subject areas through the medium of Welsh or bilingually with the aim of bilingualising the workforce in Wales. More specifically, as part of the Welsh medium Education Strategy, six specific vocational subject areas have been identified for prioritisation and development through the medium of Welsh:

Child Care Social Care and Health Business and Information Technology Tourism and Leisure Media and Performing Arts Agriculture

3.2 In line with the main aims and objectives of the Dewis Da project, it is imperative that a clear message is conveyed by Careers Wales to young people about the advantages of bilingual skills in the employment market. At the same time, it is also important that the message accurately reflects the economic reality of the workplace and employment opportunities in Wales at present. Trywydd is therefore aware of the Welsh Assembly Government’s policy statement ‘Economic Renewal: a new direction 2010’ which focuses specifically on the way in which the Assembly Government aims to strategically improve the quality of life and the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of people and communities in Wales. As part of this programme, we are also aware of the identification of six priority sectors within the private sector for economic development. These sectors areICT, Energy and Environment, Advanced Materials and Manufacturing, Creative Industries, Life Sciences, and Financial and Professional Services. Welsh medium or bilingual vocational provision in some of these sector areas may be limited. However, it is important that this project unequivocally conveys the message that the use of Welsh in dealing with the public within all vocational sectors relates directly to the six advantages noted in this paper.Indeed, Further and Higher Education institutions across Wales complement their academic and vocational provision with specialist Welsh language provision such as NVQs in Professional Welsh.

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3.3 Whilst therefore recognising that a cross-section of sectors have been prioritised for development by the Welsh Assembly Government, Trywydd Cyf, in agreement with Careers Wales, has focused on six case studies which concur with the vocational areas noted for development through the medium of Welsh by WAG, listed as bullet points above. However, it should also be noted that some of the companies focused upon may relate to the sectors identified for economic development by WAG.

3.4 In addition to the above, the Welsh Language Measure (2010) and A Living Language: A Language for Living document, which is the Strategy for the Welsh Language (2010) will increase employer demand for a bilingual workforce. The Welsh Language Measure in particular is intended to modernise the existing legal framework regarding the use of the Welsh language in the delivery of services to the public in Wales. This will confirm official status for both Welsh and English; linguistic rights in the provision of services; and, the establishment of the post of Language Commissioner. The Measure will impact directly upon certain employers and businesses in the private sector and lead to the expansion of Welsh language services. The importance of recruiting staff with relevant bilingual skills will naturally increase as a result.

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4. Welsh in the Workplace: The National Picture

4.1 The Welsh Language Board has, since its inception, worked closely with all sectors of employment in Wales in developing the advantages of offering bilingual services to the public in Wales.

4.2 The Board’s work in monitoring the implementation of Welsh Language Schemes by public and voluntary sector bodies requires the strategic planning of a bilingual workforce. The Board also works closely with the private sector in order to emphasise the economic advantages of employing bilingual staff and offering bilingual services.

4.3 The Board has also commissioned several studies into the benefits of bilingualism at national and sectoral level, the findings of which will be referred to as part of this project.

4.4 One of the most recent studies of Welsh Language Skills Needs was undertaken by Beaufort Research and Menter a Busnes, on behalf of the Future Skills Wales Partnership. The project involved a comprehensive research programme conducted during the latter stages of 2004 and early 2005, including a survey of almost 2,000 businesses in Wales and focused on those industry sectors found to have an average or higher need for Welsh language skills. Key findings have been well documented with 9% of the private sector specifically expressing the need for Welsh language skills amongst employees. There was an awareness that the need for Welsh language skills would increase in the future with 29% of the sample also noting that customers like to be offered the choice of English or Welsh. This is sure to change once more as a result of the above mentioned Welsh Language Measure.

4.5 Two studies commissioned by the Welsh Language Board have also offered interesting conclusions . A 2007 survey undertaken by Mabis which focused upon the Use of Welsh within the Private Sector, noted a widespread consensus that the Welsh language offers an economic/commercial benefit to private sector companies in Wales. Another study undertaken by Trywydd Cyf into the Language Use and Promotional Activities of 50 public and private sector companies noted that the majority of the sample clearly recognised the importance of offering bilingual services but were not strategically equipped with appropriate planning mechanisms to measure and provide the number of Welsh speaking staff required.

4.6 The Welsh Language Board is currently operating four other initiatives which focus specifically on the use of Welsh in the workplace and the provision of Welsh medium services to the public.

The first initiative Promoting Bilingual Workplaces works closely with public sector organisations such as Local Authorities, Police Authorities and Her Majesty’s Courts Service. The aim of this work is to encourage and assist organisations to strategically plan the linguistic nature of its internal

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workforces with the aim of enhancing the bilingual services that can be offered to the public in Wales.

Mae Gen Ti Ddewis on the other hand is a campaign which helps public bodies promote Welsh language choice where it is available. The campaign works with partner organisations to promote the specific services that they can provide to the public through the medium of Welsh. At the same time, the marketing aspect of the project actively seeks to raise the awareness of Welsh speakers that they can receive these services in their chosen language. At present, the Welsh Language Board’s website shows that 4 charities, 4 Utilities companies including BT, Welsh Water, and British Gas, 4 banks (HSBC, Natwest, Lloyds, TSB and Barclays), 6 national helplines and 28 public sector organisations such as the DVLA, Ofcom, several Local Authorities, Jobcentre Wales and HM Customs and the Electoral Commission all offer telephone communications through the medium of Welsh.

Investing in Welsh and Choose Welsh both focus upon private sector organisations which either already offer services through the medium of Welsh or propose to do so. Choose Welsh focuses on services which are directly available as opposed to being available “upon request” only. For example, telephone service users must be invited to choose the service in either Welsh or English. People should not be expected to know about the existence of a Welsh language service, neither must it be insisted that they make a request of their own volition for service in Welsh. In addition, the service in Welsh must reach the same standard as any corresponding service in English.

The Investing in Welsh initiative makes it easy for businesses to show that they respect their customers in Wales, and helps businesses draw attention to the ways in which they support the Welsh language. Private sector companies commit to do ten things that support the Welsh language. These include ensuring that:

Welsh and English are treated on an equal basis both written and verbal communication may be provided in Welsh and

English Welsh is recognised as a skill and the use of Welsh is encouraged at

work a written Welsh language policy is adopted.

Private sector companies partaking in this initiative receive an ‘Investing in Welsh mark' which clearly denotes their commitment to offering a bilingual service and the fact that they consider the Welsh language as an asset to their organisation. To date, 309 private sector companies throughout Wales have signed up to the scheme including Cardiff Wales Airport, First Great Western, John Lewis, Job Trac Cymru, Llaeth y Llan, APCOA Parking, Boots, the Chartered Institute of Marketing, European Tour Ryder Cup, Morrisons, Radisson SAS and Capital Law LLP.

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The above initiatives offer interesting evidence. It may comfortably be noted that the fact that there are both public and private sector companies working closely with the Welsh Language Board in the strategic planning of their bilingual workforce, and in openly declaring the availability of Welsh medium services, is a clear statement of the way in which the economic benefits of bilingualism and the advantages of bilingual skills are being realised in Wales.

4.7 Finally, it should be noted that Trywydd Cyf has selected six case studies for the purpose of this project whose activities are not exclusively limited to the sectors which are traditionally viewed as seeking Welsh language speaking staff. It was felt that opting mainly for private sector companies with no statutory obligations would highlight the fact that the demand for bilingual skills is increasing across all sectors. It may be said that the Welsh language in itself has its own sectoral workforce which includes institutions and organisations such as the National Library of Wales, the National and Urdd eisteddfodau, publishers such as Gomer and Y Lolfa and indeed the Welsh Language Board itself. In order to highlight the serious message which this project wishes to convey therefore, Trywydd Cyf has carefully selected six case studies which demonstrate real evidence of the economic advantages of the Welsh language and the demand for a bilingually skilled workforce.

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5. Welsh and the Workplace: A Regional Picture

5.1 As previously noted, the diverse linguistic nature of each region in Wales offers different opportunities and challenges. However, each Careers Wales company is strategically united in the work of identifying and meeting the needs of the Welsh speakers it represents, as summarised below.

5.2. Cardiff and the Vale: The 2008 Welsh Local Labour Force Survey recorded that between 17–20% of the population in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan were able to speak Welsh. Statistics also show that in 2008-09, the percentage of pupils in years 7-11 in the area’s secondary schools which were taught Welsh either as a first or second language was 99.5%. When also considering the significantly high number of public sector bodies located in Cardiff and the surrounding area which are obliged to employ and develop a bilingual workforce, the demand for skilled Welsh speaking employees within the region is anticipated to grow further in the future. This area, in particular, is also a magnet for young people from all parts of Wales wishing to work and experience life in the capital city and surrounding area.

5.3 Gwent: The operational area of Careers Wales Gwent is the five local authority areas of Monmouthshire, Newport, Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent and Caerphilly(East). The linguistic nature of this area, on the one hand, may be deemed as the most challenging in Wales with the 2001 Census noting a percentage ranging from 9%-11% of the population able to speak Welsh. However, the growth in demand for Welsh medium education in this area is notable with parents realising the benefits of introducing bilingualism at an early age. This can clearly be seen by the fact that the highest percentage of people able to speak Welsh in the area falls within the 5-15 years age group and ranges from 36% in Caerphilly to 46% in Torfaen. The education system is therefore undoubtedly contributing to the development of Welsh speakers in the south east area of Wales.

5.4 North East Wales: The area covered by Careers Wales North East is relatively small but has a diverse geography and spread of population. Flintshire has the lowest percentage of Welsh speakers, ranging from 8% to 38%, according to the 2001 Census. Denbighshire also offers an interesting picture with 64% of the people in Llandrillo noted as Welsh speaking compared to around 12% in the Rhyl area. Wrexham is also relatively low but again the education system is evidently developing Welsh speakers which will ultimately feed the workforce in Wales, with 32% of children between the age of 5 and 15 years old able to speak Welsh.

5.5 West Wales: The linguistic nature of the area served by Careers Wales West may again be described as diverse with the unitary authorities of Carmarthen and Ceredigion noting 58%-60% of the population as Welsh speaking according to the Annual Population Survey in 2008. On the other hand, the unitary authorities of Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Pembrokeshire record percentages ranging from 22%-27%. This area includes the traditionally strong rural Welsh speaking areas in the most

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western parts of the country alongside the more urban areas to the east. However, the development of Welsh medium education and the fact that several Welsh medium schools have opened in these more urban areas during the last decade again demonstrates the awareness of the importance and benefits of bilingualism.

5.6 Mid Glamorgan and Powys: Careers Wales operates within the unitary authority areas of Bridgend, Merthyr, Powys and Rhondda Cynin Taf as well as in the western part of Caerphilly County Borough. Between 27%-44% of people aged 5-15 are identified as Welsh speakers in the area as a whole. Again there has been a significant increase in the demand for Welsh medium education in the area with both primary and secondary Welsh medium schools producing fluent Welsh speakers from non-Welsh speaking families.

5.7 North West Wales: The linguistic nature of the area served by Careers Wales North West shows a different picture. This region is traditionally recognised as a Welsh speaking stronghold with Gwynedd identified in the 2001 Census as the local government area with the highest percentage of Welsh speakers (69%). Indeed, Gwynedd and Anglesey included the only electoral divisions in 2001 which recorded that more than 75% of the population could speak Welsh. It follows therefore that natural opportunities to speak and work through the medium of Welsh in this area is higher. The demand for bilingually skilled staff able to serve the public in the north west region therefore is also high.

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6. Dewis Da: Identifying Advantages

6.1 The main aim of the Dewis Da project in collating evidence to Careers Wales of the advantages of bilingualism within a vocational and workplace context has been timely. It concurs with both of the Welsh Language Board initiatives mentioned above and also responds to the proposed Welsh language legislative changes at government level.

6.2 The benefits identified as part of this project are based upon factual, statistical and qualitative evidence. Where possible, evidence is supported by verified statements from significant employers in Wales.

6.3 Whilst each advantage may not be unequivocally quantified across each area of Wales, they may be confidently presented by Careers Wales to young people in each region as clear career opportunities and benefits attached to obtaining bilingual skills.

6.4 Finally, the benefits identified may present Careers Wales with some interesting marketing and promotional opportunities.

6.5 Listed below are the six identified advantages which form the core part of the Dewis Da project. These have been individually branded and offer factual, statistical and employer based evidence.

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i. STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD

The ability to speak, read and write Welsh is an additional skill. The Welsh language can therefore give your CV an added value. This can be what makes you stand out from the rest.

FACT

Many companies operate through the medium of Welsh and face difficulties in recruiting staff with the appropriate bilingual skills. The Welsh language can therefore be an advantage to job seekers.

There are also examples of companies who only recruit Welsh speakers.

Young people and new businesses are more likely to use the Welsh language. There is a strong feeling among employers that young people are more confident using Welsh as they have been through the Welsh education system.

Many Welsh Language Schemes include the following commitment:‘When appointing staff, the organisation will consider proficiency in the Welsh language as an additional qualification, all other things being equal.’

EVIDENCE

BT has reviewed the demand for the use of the Welsh language and has identified key areas for bilingual service delivery. This entails the appointment of staff with specific bilingual skills to Welsh essential posts.

309 private sector companies have signed up to the Welsh Language Board’s Investing in Welsh mark. 537 public sector organisations implement Welsh Language Schemes, which commit to providing services through the medium of Welsh under the 1993 Welsh Language Act. In order to realise their commitment to the Welsh language, both sectors seek to employ staff with bilingual skills.

North Wales Police has specific Welsh language skills development plans in place for current and new staff. As a result, only 4% of its staff have no Welsh skills compared to 10% in 2006.

EMPLOYER FEEDBACK“When BT recruits employees in Wales, having the ability to speak Welsh is most definitely considered as an added skill. Many of our jobs involve dealing with the public, thus being able to speak both languages is a huge asset. If two applicants had the same skill levels, but only one of them was Welsh speaking, the latter would be considered as having an extra skill and more likely to be offered employment. Not only is this important at the recruitment

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stage; we continually seek Welsh speakers who want to develop a long term career within BT”

Geraint Strello, Welsh Language Policy Manager BT

“Today, more than ever, knowledge of another language is a valuable skill”.Eluned Morgan, Former MEP

“Welsh would be a huge advantage to someone starting out in broadcasting. It just gives you so many more opportunities of working on Welsh language programmes for S4C or for Radio Cymru – it would definitely be a huge asset”.

Lucy Owen, Broadcaster

Sources: Mabis Report on the Use of the Welsh Language in the Private Sector (2007)CILT Cymru website

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ii. YOU’RE HIRED

Employability: people with bilingual skills are likely to be more employable.

FACT

People in Wales strongly believe that the workforce needs to be bilingual.

Many job advertisements specify the Welsh language as a specific requirement.

Studies in Wales and Catalonia have shown that the probability of being employed increases between 3 and 5 percentage points if individuals know how to read and write in two languages.

In the current economic climate, having an extra skill to offer may certainly make you more attractive to the employer.

EVIDENCE

In a Welsh Language Survey Report, 71% agreed that being bilingual was a help in the Job Market.

Over a three month period, 56% of 40 job advertisements analysed included language requirements, 21 (52.5%) stated that Welsh was desirable and 19 (47.5%) that Welsh was essential.

Employers in Wales place a great deal of importance on bilingual skills, according to jobcymru research. When 300 employers in Ceredigion, Powys and Meirionnydd were recently asked about their skills requirements and needs, 70% of them replied that they ideally wanted people who could offer bilingualism as a work skill for some of the positions in their companies.

EMPLOYER FEEDBACK

“An additional language can be an enormous personal and professional benefit. We actively seek Welsh speaking staff and encourage our staff to learn the language. Since we are a member of the Welsh business community, it is essential to meeting our customer needs. I would highly recommend bilingual education to any young person, as in my experience as an employer, an additional language gives job applicants the edge.”

Alison Inker, Manager Vidal Sassoon, Cardiff

“Being bilingual is an advantage to getting employed in Wales today. The Council’s policy is that we only appoint employees to our Call Centres and Customer Centres who can speak Welsh and English. It is important that

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those who answer the phone and deal with queries face to face with the public can speak their preferred language”

Llinos Evans, Policy and Partnership Officer, Carmarthenshire County Council

“Employees would have to study on a Welsh medium or bilingual course before coming to work for us. 80% of our corporate work is done in Welsh.”

Owain Bebb & Company, Accountants

Sources: The Catalan Premium: Language and Employment in Catalonia, Silvio Rendon, 2003The Welsh Language and Labour Market Inactivity, David Blackaby et al., 2006.State of the Welsh Language Survey Report, Beaufort, 2000 (Welsh and non-Welsh speakers were questioned).Report on the Welsh Language Board Checking Exercise – Official Notices and Recruitment 2010The Way Ahead, Information Pack for Teachers, Menter Bro Dinefwr 2008

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iii. EARN MORE

Young people can earn more money as a direct result of speaking Welsh.

FACT

Academic studies show that people with bilingual skills can earn a higher salary.

Bilingual skills can lead to rewards and premiums from employers.

EVIDENCE

Public Service staff in Canada are encouraged to maintain their language skills. A part of this process is to conduct an oral assessment every two or three years. A 'bilingualism bonus' is given to employees in the public service who pass a test of linguistic skills.

People able to understand Welsh earn an average of 60 pence more per hour or nearly 9 per cent.

People able to write (as well as understand, speak, and read) Welsh, can earn an average of 75 pence more per hour or nearly 11 per cent.

The fact that the Welsh language is a prerequisite for many public sector posts directly impacts upon the salary prospects of Welsh speakers in Wales

EMPLOYER FEEDBACK

Some employers have said that they would consider rewarding employers with a premium if they could bring bilingual skills to the workplace

More interestingly, the fact that certain sectors have identified a lack of Welsh speaking staff within their workforce has led to the development of bespoke sponsorship study and bursary opportunities.

‘The Forestry Commission, Countryside Council for Wales, the Environment Agency as well as the Centre for Welsh Medium Education has identified a clear shortage in the number of skilled Welsh speakers working within the environment sector. As a result, we have decided to create Amnawdd which is a scheme that sponsors students studying part of their course through the medium of Welsh at university level along with a guaranteed 5 week placement as part of the course. This lucrative scheme, which will then automatically feed the sector’s workforce, is only available to Welsh speaking students studying part of their course through the medium of Welsh.’

Ioan Matthews, Centre for Welsh Medium Education, Director.

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"As a bank, we understand the specialist nature of providing services within bilingual communities. NatWest therefore supports staff that are eager to improve their language skills by sponsoring them to take part in evening classes, which then gives them a feather in their cap both in the workplace and in their personal life. As a learner myself, I’m very aware of these advantages when dealing with customers who wish to conduct their business with us in Welsh.’

Mark Douglas, Regional Director, NatWest Wales

Sources: Earnings and Linguistic Proficiency in a Bilingual Economy, Henley & Jones 2003Mabis Report on the Use of the Welsh Language in the Private Sector (2007)

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iv. IT’S ALL IN THE MIND

Research shows that having and using two languages improves cognitive and creative abilities.

FACT

Research shows that there is a relationship between bilingualism and improved cognition. This leads to higher levels of creativity, improved mental agility and a better ability to organise information and solve problems.

Bilinguals with two well-developed languages have a slightly higher IQ score.

Bilingualism can facilitate the learning of other languages and enable individuals to become literate in more than one language

EVIDENCE

Research has shown that having two well developed languages gives people particular advantages in thinking. Research from many different countries shows that bilingual pupils tend to do better in IQ tests and creative tests. Bilingual pupils also do better in Science reasoning tests and in Mathematic achievement tasks compared with monolingual pupils.

Professor Colin Baker, School of Education, University of Wales, Bangor.

EMPLOYER FEEDBACK

“Doing a course bilingually is definitely a positive thing – it shows a young person has the ability to learn in two languages. Language is quite scientific and shows added skill. This is true whether the course is leisure / tourism, engineering or office work.”

Moe Foster, Virgin Management, London

Sources: Earnings and Linguistic Proficiency in a Bilingual Economy, Henley & Jones 2003Ask Francois Grosjean: What Does Research Say About the Benefits of Multilingualism? Multilingual Living: 2010The Welsh Language and Labour Market Inactivity, Department of Economics, University of Wales Swansea, & WELMERC, David Blackaby et al., 2006 Does Bilingualism make you smarter? People’s Weekly World Newspaper 1/0 Recruitment and the Welsh Language, Consultation Document, The Welsh Language Board 2009

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v. THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT

Businesses/companies which offer language choice to the public receive a higher level of customer appreciation.

FACT

Using the Welsh language is equal to providing a high quality service to customers. It makes them feel at home and can lead to customer loyalty.

Using the Welsh language sets companies aside from the rest. Providing a Welsh service can be a company’s Unique Selling Point.

Having Welsh speaking staff in the workplace is an important part of creating a company’s public image. Be it reading a website, on the telephone or face to face meetings, offering a language choice is important to customers.

EVIDENCE

Research estimates that about two million people in Wales think it is important for businesses to offer a bilingual service. This is far more than can speak Welsh.

In a national survey for Welsh and non-Welsh speakers:62% felt that Welsh speakers should demand their rights and ask for a Welsh language service.

A survey conducted in Carmarthenshire concluded that 80.5% of employers see the value of the Welsh language reporting financial benefit as a result of providing bilingual services.

According to independent research, customers associate Welsh language services and products which have bilingual packaging with higher quality.

EMPLOYER FEEDBACK

“We in TESCO fully realise that people like to shop locally and that is why we ensure that there is a ‘local’ feel to all our shops. In Wales, this naturally means that we offer services in Welsh, brand ourselves accordingly and have bilingual signage and self scan tills. Where possible, we also have Welsh speaking staff.”

Enfys Fox, TESCO

One employer said that he has lost customers due to not having Welsh speaking staff to deal with them: “Once we get furthermost we lose business because our reps cannot communicate in Welsh”

Design2Print, Llandudno

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“Some parents chose not to bring their children to our Nursery because we didn’t have Welsh speaking staff”.

Nursery Manager, Cardiff

Sources: State of the Welsh Language Survey Report, Beaufort, 2000 (Welsh and non-Welsh speakers were questioned).Mabis Report on the Use of the Welsh Language in the Private Sector, 2007.ELWa study into Commercial Benefits of Bilingual Services, 2002.Beaufort Research’s Wales Omnibus Survey, March 2005 and 2008.

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vi. BROADEN YOUR HORIZONS

The Welsh language and bilingualism can open the door to a multitude of new opportunities. In an evolving Wales, the Welsh language is reaching out to new audiences, is being taught to an increasing number of children and learners and entering new professional, vocational and recreational fields. The ability to develop skills in a minority language should be embraced and viewed positively rather than being considered a challenge.

FACT

Bilingualism is extremely widespread and is the norm in today’s world (and not the exception).

‘The older, monolingual, view of bilingualism has had many negative consequences, one of the worst being that many bilinguals are very critical of their own language competence and do not consider themselves to be bilingual.’

EVIDENCE

Within the new European Community there will be about 100 minority languages, spoken by millions of people. Around 65% of the world’s population use at least two languages in their everyday lives. 50 million people use a language every day that’s different from the language of the country in which they live.

EMPLOYER FEEDBACK

The increase in demand for Welsh medium education in areas which are traditionally non-Welsh speaking offers clear evidence of the way in which parents consider that the language will provide new and further opportunities to future generations.

"Here in south east Wales, generations of families have had some form of contact with the Welsh language, but the language has been lost over the last 2 to 3 generations. Many of our parents send their children here because they are eager that their children receive opportunities which weren’t available to them. They understand that in a modern, bilingual society that the ability to communicate in both languages, not only safeguards our heritage, but can also improve the prospects of students as they leave school.”

(Alun Thomas, Head of ICT at Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw, where 97% of pupils speak English at home, not Welsh. However, they all speak Welsh as their first language at school, and all subjects, apart from other languages are taught through the medium of Welsh. 75% of Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw’s pupils progress to further and higher education which is much higher than the national average.)

Sources: Francois Grosjean, Interview on Bilingualism, 2002.Welsh-medium education for your child: The best start possible , The Welsh Language Board.

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Welsh Language Interface supporting Welsh Immersion Education at Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw: Welsh Language Board and Microsoft 2010.

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7. The 6 Priority Sectors

7.1 The six specific vocational subject areas which have been proposed for the development of individual case studies have already been noted as:

Child Care Social Care and Health Business and Information Technology Tourism and Leisure Media and Performing Arts Agriculture

These have been identified for prioritisation and development through the medium of Welsh by the Welsh Assembly Government in its Welsh Medium Education Strategy. The Strategy notes that these key areas will continue to be priorities for funding in the short term as they reflect the domains where the language is particularly important. Each sector is summarised below:

7.2 Child CareThe Assembly Government’s Welsh Medium Education Strategy notes that Childcare:‘is of particular significance as there is a growing need for Welsh-speaking practitioners in the childcare and early years education workforce in order to ensure effective implementation of the Foundation Phase.’

The Assembly Government has also invested in the development of Welsh medium training opportunities for prospective staff through initiatives such as ‘Cam wrth Gam’.

‘Cam wrth Gam’ was established in 2004 as a subsidiary of Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin and offers NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) programmes, CACHE (Council for Awards in Childcare and Education) awards and other accredited Certificate and Diploma courses through the medium of Welsh across Wales.

The ability to communicate effectively and successfully with very young children through the medium of Welsh is essential in many parts of Wales. It is very often the case that parents communicate exclusively through the medium of Welsh with small children during their early years. The availability of a professional workforce which is also able to communicate through the medium of Welsh with young children is vital to their basic communication, care and development needs.

Skills for Care & Development is the Sector Skills Council responsible for people working in early years, children and young people’s services in Wales.The sector footprint includes children’s homes, care homes, domiciliary care and support services, day centres, social work, fostering agencies, foster carers, nurse agencies, adoption services, nursery and early years work, childminding, day nurseries and voluntary and charitable care.

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At national level, Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin may be referred to as a leading organisation which provides Welsh medium early years care and education in the voluntary sector. There are over 500 Cylchoedd Meithrin across Wales with 18,000 children given the opportunity to learn through play through the medium of Welsh. Welsh is the language of each cylch meithrin. All children are welcomed to the cylch whether they speak Welsh or not and every child is given the opportunity to learn a wide range of Welsh language skills. The availability of bilingual staff lies at the very core of the organisation’s provision.

7.3 Social Care and HealthThe Assembly Government’s Draft Welsh Language Strategy notes its intention to produce a Welsh language Strategic Framework for the Health sector. The Welsh Medium Education Strategy also notes that Health and Social Care:‘are other areas requiring more Welsh-language skills, as noted in the work of the All Wales Taskforce for Welsh in the Health Service, which is currently concentrating on Welsh-language capacity and skills in the health workforce, and aims to increase the numbers of Welsh-speakers in the workforce.’ (p.56)

The importance of providing bilingual health care is essential for Welsh-speaking patients. There are instances where patients cannot be treated effectively except in their first language or in both their languages. This is especially true in the case of those receiving speech and language therapy, and for the following key groups: people with mental health problems; people with learning disabilities and other special needs; older people and young children.

The Assembly Government has identified that much more work needs to be done in order to improve the quality and range of health and care services available through the medium of Welsh. The key area for improvement is direct personal communication (phone or face to face). It is often the case that individuals cannot receive public services through the medium of Welsh, or have to make special arrangements to receive a Welsh language service. This is because there is either a general shortage of Welsh speakers or because an organisation has not deployed its Welsh speakers in the most effective manner.

The Sector Skills Councils responsible for developing the health and social care workforce in Wales are again Skills for Care and Development, and Skills for Health.

The Skills for Health: Skills and Labour Market Intelligence Report for Wales, 2010 confirms that there is a Welsh language skills shortage within the sector’s workforce:

‘Latest estimates from the Labour Force Survey show that in all aspectsof the Welsh language, the health sector is under performing whencompared to the whole economy.

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Table 18: Components of the Welsh Language

Health Sector%

Whole Economy%

Read Welsh 17 22Speak Welsh 18 23Understand Spoken Welsh

24 28

Write Welsh 16 20

Source: Labour Force Survey, 4 Quarter Average Oct 2008 – Sept 2009

In addition, it may be noted that there is an overlap between the Social Care and Health sector and the Life Sciences sector identified in the Welsh Assembly Government ‘Economic Renewal: a new direction’ policy statement. The Life Sciences clearly relate to specialist courses within the field of medicine such as optometry with diverse employment opportunities within the health sector in general.

7.4 Business and Information TechnologyThe need for an IT strategy for the Welsh Language was called for in the Assembly Government’s Iaith Pawb policy. The subsequent strategy document created by the Welsh Language Board clearly notes the impact of IT on any minority language and thus the need to develop a bilingual IT workforce in Wales:‘Improving the situation of the Welsh language in information technology willprovide a boost to the language’s status… Developing coherent strategy for this policy area is essential, given the central part information technology now plays in the everyday lives of citizens: behind the scenes of organisations providing services to the public, via websites, appliances of all types in the home, the workplace and beyond’. (p.8)

The fact that Microsoft in collaboration with the Welsh Language Board has created Welsh language interface packs such as Vista, Office 2007, Sharepoint demonstrates that the Welsh language is, and can be, the language of business in Wales. Sharepoint, for instance, is used by businesses worldwide and is a highly advanced collaboration platform which, allows people to host websites, intranets for businesses and provide common learning platforms to share teaching materials and resources and connect the learning community.

There is an increasing demand for IT competent staff able to work through the medium of Welsh across Wales. The specialist nature of the IT sector also means that it also services a variety of sectors across Wales. Graphic Design companies such as Elfen based in Cardiff conduct marketing campaigns which are fully bilingual and list a range of clients which include the BBC, Christian Aid, ITV, National Theatre Wales, Oxfam, Sherman, Sports Council, Wales Arts International, Welsh National Opera.

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The National Library of Wales may also be listed as an organisation which only employs bilingual IT staff to work on its fully bilingual website with all information loaded on to the site in Welsh and English at exactly the same time.

As for the Business sector, the 1993 Welsh Language Act has transformed the need for public sector bodies to conduct their everyday transactions with the public through the medium of Welsh. As mentioned above, the proposed Welsh Language Measure will also lead to the expansion of Welsh language services by businesses in the private sector. There is also a clear link between the Business sector and the Financial and Professional Services sector identified in the Welsh Assembly Government ‘Economic Renewal: a new direction’ policy statement.

The Sector Skills Council responsible for IT and Business across the UK is e-skills.

7.5 Tourism and LeisureTourism and leisure are integral to the Welsh economy. In tandem with this, the Welsh language and Wales as a bilingual country need to be incorporated to the visitor experience.

The coastal paths of Wales and its rugged terrain ensure that Wales will always be a destination for individuals interested in walking and mountaineering. Similarly, its beaches will attract families and watersport enthusiasts and Wales is regularly a venue for international sporting events.

The tourism and leisure industry is also proving to be increasingly popular with young people as a career pathway and the Assembly Government has prioritised the sector with a view to developing the bilingual skills of the individuals who will, as a result, be responsible for showcasing the nation to its visitors.

Awyr Agored is a training programme, run by Menter Iaith Conwy, which has identified and responded to the fact that there is a shortage of bilingually skilled staff in the tourism and leisure industry in Wales. The programme is available to Welsh speakers wishing to gain the necessary qualifications to work as instructors within outdoor activity sector.

The scheme specifically addresses the need for Welsh speakers within the outdoor activity industry in Conwy, and offers training and support to Welsh-speaking individuals or groups across all areas of the industry, including: mountaineering, climbing, kayaking, rafting, surfing, mountain biking and sailing.

The potential of Conwy County as an outdoor activities area is already being realised at a tourism level. By satisfying the need for Welsh speaking instructors, this scheme aims to tap into a vast local market and inspire the resident population to really discover their own surroundings. The scheme will

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help to encourage a sustainable local economy, and will enable people to work within their own communities.

People 1st and Skillsactive are the Sector Skills Councils responsible for the development of skills within the tourism and leisure sector in Wales. People 1st’s website notes that there are approximately 10,500 hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism businesses across Wales.

People 1st’s Sector Skills Agreement also recognises clearly the importance of the Welsh language and the need to address Welsh language workforce requirements.

7.6 Media and Performing ArtsThe media and performing arts have a strong bilingual presence within Wales. This vocational sector was identified in the Future Skills Report as the sector in which there would be the highest demand for Welsh speakers in the future. It also ties in with the Creative Industries sector identified in the Welsh Assembly Government ‘Economic Renewal: a new direction’ policy statement.

The existence of S4C and BBC Wales has resulted in extensive career opportunities for young people with bilingual skills not only in Cardiff but across Wales in companies such as Tinopolis, Telesgop. In addition, Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru has provided a real platform for young Welsh speaking actors to ply their trade across Wales.

The Media and Performing Arts sector not only has a high demand for bilingual staff but it may also be said that a relatively high number of bilingual students are also attracted to the vocational opportunities on offer. It is therefore the case that employers need to define clearly the bilingual skills required for specific roles in order that the adequate vocational training is also available bilingually.

The Sector Skills Council responsible for developing media and performing arts in Wales is Skillset. Skillset’s Sector Skills Agreement clearly notes that‘The Creative Media Industries are playing an incredibly important role in theeconomic, social and cultural life of Wales and the UK, and are a seed-bed forthe continued growth of the Welsh language.’

7.7 AgricultureSimilarly to Media and Performing Arts, Agriculture has been identified as a priority sector as a result of its strong bilingual presence and influence in Wales. The agricultural sector’s traditional strongholds are located within areas where a high proportion of the population are able to speak Welsh. It naturally follows, therefore, that bilingual skills are desirable for work opportunities within these areas and within the sector.

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Vocational training within the sector is predominantly located at three further educational establishments, Coleg Meirion Dwyfor, Coleg Llysfasi and Coleg Sir Gâr and all three offer a range of bilingual training opportunities.

The Sector Skills Council responsible for agriculture and land studies is Lantra. Lantra’s website notes that it is working closely with industries which ‘can be grouped into either land-management and production, animal health and welfare, or environmental industries.’

The employment opportunities available within the Agriculture sector are diverse and it may be noted that there is a clear overlap with the Energy and Environment sector identified in the Welsh Assembly Government ‘Economic Renewal: a new direction’ policy statement.

The employment opportunities for bilingual staff within the sector include responding to the needs of companies and employers such as the Welsh Assembly Government’s Department of Rural Affairs, the British Cattle Movement Service (located in Cumbria but employer of bilingual staff for the operation of its Call Centre), Veterinary Practices, Auctioneers, large cooperative suppliers.

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LANGUAGE PROFILE

71 staff

67 members of staff are fluent Welsh speakers

1 member of staff is learning Welsh


APPENDIX A: CASE STUDIES

1. CYMDEITHAS TAI CLWYD

“Welsh: it’s essential!” Cymdeithas Tai Clwyd is an example of an organisation which ensures that the Welsh language underpins everything it does. The

housing association’s main aim is to make sure that there are rental homes available for people in housing need within the boundaries of the county of Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Wrexham, north Powys and south Gwynedd. It owns 1,700 houses and a considerable number of its tenants include the elderly and young low income families. ImageThe type of work undertaken by Cymdeithas Tai Clwyd means that it must give careful consideration to the specific needs of both individuals and communities. Providing practical assistance in a professional but sensitive manner is extremely important. In order to ensure that the association can offer service of a high quality to every one of its tenants, it has adopted a robust recruitment policy and the Welsh language is an essential requirement for every post.

In addition, all of the association’s internal administration is undertaken through the medium of Welsh.

Welsh in the Workplace: JobsCymdeithas Tai Clwyd’s daily involvement with the public varies substantially. It can involve developing local initiatives and providing solutions to problems which affect the whole community. It also includes helping tenants to access essential services, e.g. training and better living facilities. Ensuring that members of the public are able to receive this type of social care in the language of their choice is therefore a key element of the service’s effectiveness. With the Welsh language an essential requirement for every post at Cymdeithas Tai Clwyd there are a wide range of job opportunities available, which include:

jobs at senior level including Chief Executive and Department Directors

jobs such as surveyors, managers and officers working in various fields such as housing, property and resources, as well as posts within a team which works with communities

jobs for administration staff and human resources

finance and information technology jobs

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Cymdeithas Tai Clwyd has adopted a policy of working through the medium of Welsh and appointing Welsh speakers to posts because the Welsh language is a main consideration in ensuring the welfare and requirements of all of its tenants. According to Alwyn Llwyd, Cymdeithas Tai Clwyd’s Chief Executive:

“The tenants are used to, and welcome, the fact that they receive the service in Welsh and in English. If the association was replaced by another association working through the medium of English, the tenants wouldn’t be happy. The non-Welsh speaking tenants also accept and welcome the Welsh language. For us, the Welsh language isn’t an additional skill, it’s essential!”

If you would like to learn more about Cymdeithas Tai Clwyd, you can visit the website (http://www.taiclwyd.com). For further job opportunities within the social care sector, contact your local Careers Wales office.

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http://www.taiclwyd.com/

LANGUAGE PROFILE

About 500 staff

36% fluent Welsh speakers

30% learning Welsh


2. COUNTRYSIDE COUNCIL FOR WALES

“Welsh: it’s everybody’s business!”The expanse of the Brecon Beacons? The view from the top of Snowdon? The smell of sea air on the Gower’s beaches? When thinking of just some of the things that make Wales such an attractive place to visitors, the beauty of its environment is very

important. And some of the thanks for this should go to the Countryside Council for Wales, the body responsible for maintaining the natural beauty, wildlife and open air leisure activities across Wales and along its coasts.

But the Countryside Council doesn’t just promote the environment and landscape in Wales. The way in which the Council ensures that it has Welsh speaking staff also shows that it promotes language choice as a valuable part of the experience of living in Wales.

ImageThe Council has conservation areas across Wales in rural and industrial areas as well as 13 offices. Two offices, including the main office, are located in Bangor with other offices in Mold, Dolgellau, Aberystwyth, Llandeilo, Swansea, Pembroke Dock, Llandrindod, Cardiff, Cardiff Bay, Newtown and Abergavenny. On entering these offices you will see that the Welsh language is given a high status throughout.

Welsh in the Workplace: JobsThe way in which the Countryside Council recruits its staff shows the importance of careful planning when offering language choice to the public. In fact, it is one of the most progressive bodies in Wales in the way in which it ensures that it can conduct its business with the public through the medium of Welsh.

But how exactly is this done?

Firstly, in order to ensure that bilingual administration is possible, every member of staff must have some basic level of Welsh language ability.

Secondly, the Council decides on the type of Welsh language skill required, along with which level of ability, for specific posts. For example, Welsh language skills to a certain level are essential for at least one post within the

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conservation and reserves teams, and staff working in reception areas in each office across Wales are expected to be able to welcome the public and answer the phone in Welsh.

The Council also appoints more Welsh speaking staff to work in offices which are located within areas where there is a higher percentage of Welsh speakers.

Finally, the Council is part of an exciting scheme which is trying to ensure that there will be a bilingual workforce for the future. The AmNawdd scheme offers sponsorship to students undertaking a part of their environmental course through the medium of Welsh. This scheme is being run in partnership with the Forestry Commission, the Environment Agency and the Centre for Welsh Medium Education in Wales where students receive sponsorship during their course, along with 5 weeks of work experience with a bursary.

The job opportunities for Welsh speakers are therefore extensive and include: first-point-of-contact posts within reception areas management of reserves and conservation posts administration jobs high level jobs such as team leaders and senior managers.

The most important thing is that the Council specifically looks for different levels of Welsh language ability in order to be able to run its business and administration bilingually. The ability to speak Welsh is important for some posts whereas other jobs also require Welsh writing skills. High level Welsh language skills are not needed for every role within the Council.

According to Jenny Pye, the Council’s Welsh Language and Equalities Officer:

“We are a bilingual body which is serious about the way in which we can offer language choice to our customers and partners. Enabling people to deal with us in their chosen language is a big priority. Careful planning, identifying different levels of language ability for posts and offering staff the opportunity to learn the language is most important if we are to reach our aim of having 50% of our staff fluent in the Welsh language. Careful planning is essential if we are to increase our staff capacity to be able to expand the Council’s business and administration through the medium of Welsh.”

If you would like to learn more about the Countryside Council for Wales, you can visit the website (http://www.ccg.gov.uk). For further job opportunities within the business and administration sector, contact your local Careers Wales office.

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http://www.ccg.gov.uk/

LANGUAGE PROFILE

Between 35-60 staff (depending on season)

75% of staff are Welsh speakers

1 yn


3. HARBOURMASTER

“Welsh: it opens many doors!”

If you are fortunate enough to stay or eat and drink at the Harbourmaster in Aberaeron you’ll receive a very warm welcome in Welsh! Since opening the hotel in 2002, Glyn and Menna Heulyn decided that the Welsh language would be absolutely central to the way in which the hotel is run. And the decision has certainly paid off! ImageThe Harbourmaster is now considered to be one of the most prominent hotels within the tourism sector in Wales. The Guardian, for instance, praises the family feel of the hotel and the fact that the staff are local (www.harbour-master.com). The Welsh Rarebits: Hotels of Distinction also notes:

‘One of a NEW BREED, a carefully created coastal hotel that’s cool, classy and contemporary…A refreshing MIXTURE OF STYLES – cosmopolitan,

modern Welsh, maritime and metropolitan. The Harbourmaster’s roots show through in other ways too. Welsh and English blend naturally at the bar and on the menus.’ (www.rarebits.co.uk)

It’s a hotel which has succeeded in creating an impression on some of Britain’s most prominent hospitality critics. And when you check in at the hotel’s reception area, you’ll find a warm-hearted Welsh welcome awaits you the minute you set foot inside the door.

Welsh in the Workplace: JobsAll members of staff which deal with the

public are Welsh speakers. The hotel clearly shows that the experience of staying in west Wales is one where the Welsh language is a natural part of everyday life. Around 35 members of staff work in the hotel all year round with the number rising to 60 during busy periods such as the summer. In keeping with the hotel’s modern image, a high percentage of staff also happen to be under the age of 30 and about 75% of all staff are able to speak Welsh. The hotel recognises that Welsh is an additional skill and the posts where Welsh speakers are required at the Harbourmaster include:

jobs at managerial level front-of-house jobs at reception jobs serving food and drink

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http://www.harbour-master.com/



The Harbourmaster has chosen to adopt a policy of working through the medium of Welsh from the very start and according to Glyn Heulyn, the hotel owner:

“Since opening our doors in 2002, our vision for the hotel has been quite firm. It’s a contemporary and comfortable hotel which serves food and drink of the highest quality possible. For us, the Welsh language is a part of the complete package available to the customer. The fact that we need staff that can welcome our guests in Welsh means that the Welsh language is an additional skill which can also open many doors for the young people that come to work here with us.”

If you would like to learn more about the Harbourmaster, you can visit the website (http://www.harbour-master.com). For further job opportunities within the tourism and leisure sector, contact your local Careers Wales office.

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4. SOUTH CAERNARFON CREAMERIES

Welsh: it’s the cream of the crop!Monterey Jack? Double Gloucester? Red Leicester? What exactly are they?These are just a few of the products which come from South Caernarfon Creameries which also include milk for Tesco and Marks

and Spencer. This is a prominent company located in North West Wales and one of Wales’s main milk producers.

ImageFirst impressions are always important! South Caernarfon Creameries was established as a company over 70 years ago and it operates fully through the medium of both Welsh and English on a daily basis. Go to the website, the Creamery itself or just look for the cars which drive across the whole of north Wales and you will see a firm commitment to offering a corporate identity and image through the medium of Welsh and English.

Over 150 farmers across north and mid Wales supply milk to the Creamery and a large number of these are natural Welsh speakers. It makes sense therefore that the Creamery staff are able to speak to the farmers in their chosen language.

Welsh in the Workplace: JobsIt’s clear that every workplace’s needs are constantly changing. The fact that South Caernarfon Creameries deal with their main suppliers on a daily basis, which are

first language Welsh speakers, means that it is necessary for the company to appoint staff with a range of bilingual skills. In particular, there are

technical jobs in the Creamery’s laboratory where Welsh speaking skills are essential

administrative staff in the Creamery’s main office where the Welsh language is essential

milk collector posts which note that Welsh language skills are advantageous

senior level post, the ‘Farm Liaison Manager’ where Welsh language skills are essential.

LANGUAGE PROFILE

160 staff

130 Welsh speaking

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At the moment, South Wales Creameries employ over 160 members of staff and 130 of these are natural Welsh speakers.

According to Elwyn Jones, the Creamery’s Human Resources and Safety Manager:

“We deal with about 150 farmers and a large number of these are Welsh speakers and wish to communicate with the company in Welsh. If the milk supply needs to be discussed when it has arrived at the laboratory, we must have staff able to contact the individual farmers at once to discuss the situation. The Welsh language is therefore a natural and key part of the whole process.”

If you would like to learn more about South Caernarfon Creameries, you can visit the website (http://www.sccwales.co.uk). For further job opportunities within the agricultural sector, contact your local Careers Wales office.

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http://www.sccwales.co.uk/

LANGUAGE PROFILE

60 members of staff57 Welsh speaking


5. RONDO MEDIA

“Welsh: the medium that works!”Are you a person who shuns the limelight? Or do you crave any form of attention? Do you relax by watching a good drama on TV or do you find the excitement of sports programmes more appealing?

Presenting, researching, directing, The Indian Doctor, Rownd a Rownd and Sgorio ...

These are just some of the experiences possible when you apply for a job with Rondo Media.

A career in the Media can be very appealing. There are so many different opportunities in the industry and the competition for work is tough. But the staff profile at Rondo Media, located at Cardiff, Caernarfon and Porthaethwy, offers clear evidence that the ability to work through the medium of Welsh is a significant advantage to you.

ImageAlthough not all of Rondo Media’s programmes are Welsh language programmes, you will see that the organisational work in the office or the external communications on set all take place naturally through the medium of Welsh. It’s a company which sees the Welsh language as a key skill and this is clearly demonstrated by the fact that more than 95% of its staff are Welsh speaking.

Welsh in the Workplace: JobsA wide range of staff are employed by the company: producers, directors, researchers, production managers, presenters, editors, dubbing editors, camera people, the head of personnel, finance director, finance clerks and office administrators. The Welsh language is essential or desirable for all jobs with the company but essential for a large majority of posts. The Welsh language would be

desirable, rather than essential, for some technical and multi platform posts only, and possibly for finance posts.

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The level of ability in Welsh required can vary from post to post. The ability to write in Welsh to a certain standard is important for jobs as producers, researchers and directors.

This is therefore a company which considers the Welsh language as a key medium to the work it undertakes on a daily basis.

According to Gareth Williams, Rondo Media’s Chief Executive:

“We see the Welsh language as an additional and essential skill in the Media in Wales. Whether you’re working on a drama set such as Rownd a Rownd or broadcasting an event such as the Gwyl Gerdd Dant, we need our staff to be fluent in Welsh. The organisers of events which we cover in Wales appreciate the fact that our company employs Welsh speaking staff. Having said that, we are now doing more English language programmes but this doesn’t impact in any way on our policy to employ Welsh speakers. The ability to work through the medium of Welsh will continue to be important!”

If you would like to learn more about Rondo Media, you can visit the website (www.rondomedia.co.uk). For further job opportunities in the media and creative industries, contact your local Careers Wales office.

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http://www.rondomedia.co.uk/

LANGUAGE PROFILE

7 Members of Teaching Staff100% Welsh speaking

7 Teaching Assistants6 fluent and 1 Welsh learner


6. YSGOL GYMRAEG Y FFIN

“Welsh: it’s pushing the boundaries!”About three miles from the boundary which separates Wales from England, there is a primary school which is making sure that the Welsh language is flourishing. According to the 2001 Census, this is the area which recorded the lowest percentage of Welsh speakers (9%, a little more than 7,500 people) throughout the whole of Wales. Nevertheless, Ysgol Gymraeg y Ffin

provides evidence that an increasing number of families are making the crucial decision that their children learn Welsh and receive their education through the medium of Welsh in the area.

ImageIn an area where the Welsh language is not heard or seen as often as in other areas of Wales, Ysgol Gymraeg y Ffin is proof that both parents and community members have worked hard to ensure that the Welsh language is present here. An increase in the demand for Welsh medium education has been seen across the wider area also, with 7 other Welsh medium schools opening over the last few years.

116 children attend Ysgol Gymraeg y Ffin which include 24 in the nursery. The majority of these pupils come from non-Welsh speaking families.

What is it then that makes parents choose Ysgol Gymraeg y Ffin when their children are just three years of age?

It’s obvious – the Welsh language. It’s possible that the children’s families may have had some contact with the Welsh language in the past. They also know that Welsh medium education has a good reputation and are aware of the school’s strong Welsh ethos. In addition, parents know that Welsh medium education and the Welsh language can offer extended opportunities for their children later in life. One key decision when a child is three

years old can certainly lead to better job opportunities in the future.

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Welsh in the Workplace: JobsThroughout the school, including the nursery, the Welsh language is an essentially important skill for staff which come in to contact with children in an educational context. All of the school’s teaching staff, the teachers and teaching assistants, can converse in Welsh with the children. At Ysgol Gymraeg y Ffin, the:

teaching positions within the school are Welsh essential posts Teaching Assistant posts are advertised bilingually Lunchtime Supervisor posts note that the ability to speak Welsh is

desirable.

Ysgol Gymraeg y Ffin has attracted teachers from all parts of Wales and even attracts some pupils from Bristol and Gloucester, which again shows clearly that the language knows no boundaries in this area.

According to Diane Ebo, Headteacher at Ysgol Gymraeg y Ffin:

“One of the school’s main objectives is to promote the language and heritage of Wales so that the children can develop as natural Welsh language speakers. We do everything we can to give the children that arrive here, aged three and without a word of Welsh, the best possible start. In the early years sector, young children learn vocabulary easily and are comfortable learning vocabulary through play. Although the Welsh language is new to many of them, it’s a natural part of the teaching and they will thank their parents one day for the opportunity.”

If you would like to learn more about Ysgol Gymraeg y Ffin, you can visit the website (http://www.ysgolyffin.monmouthshire.sch.uk/). For further job opportunities within the early years and education sector, contact your local Careers Wales office.

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http://www.ysgolyffin.monmouthshire.sch.uk/


APPENDIX 2: PODCAST SCRIPTS

1. CYMDEITHAS TAI CLWYD

Alwyn Llwyd, Chief Executive, Cymdeithas Tai Clwyd:

“As a Housing Association, everything we do involves making sure that the people we deal with feel at home. The fact that we have staff that are able to discuss any topic with the public in their language of choice is vital. Many of the people that we help ask for assistance and advice with issues that can be very sensitive. The ability to discuss these things in their first language is therefore often a big help.

“We as an organisation have made the decision to work through the medium of Welsh. In dealing with the public we acknowledge the importance of offering language choice and this decision is welcomed by the people which are most important to us, our tenants.

“Our internal administration – all office communication – is also done through the medium of Welsh. You’ll see therefore that we recruit new staff, at all levels that are able to speak Welsh. We are specifically looking for people able to work naturally in this area in both Welsh and English and we note in our recruitment adverts that the Welsh language is essential. This shows clearly to everyone, I’d say, that bilingual skills offer you an advantage in the workplace.”

2. COUNTRYSIDE COUNCIL FOR WALES

Jenny Pye, Welsh Language and Equalities Officer:

“At the Countryside Council we are a large organisation with around 500 staff working for us. Caring for the environment and the countryside is our main work, the natural and native things that surround us. You could say that the way in which we are trying to develop our staff to work through the medium of Welsh is also a part of this. We look at it from an ‘all Wales’ perspective.

“There’s no doubt that there is a shortage of staff able to undertake admin work through the medium of Welsh and this varies from one area to the other. We prioritise the Welsh language when recruiting but we would be very foolish to think that we can look for the same Welsh skills for posts in our Mid Glam and Powys offices as for our Bangor offices, for example. We try to be both realistic and positive at the same time.

“Getting 50% of our staff to be fluent in Welsh is the aim and I’m confident that we can achieve that. By showing clearly that the Council welcomes staff with all levels of skill in the Welsh language, and offering training to current members of staff, this will significantly raise the Council’s capacity to conduct its business through the medium of Welsh.”

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3. HARBOURMASTER

Menna Heulyn, Proprietor:

“For us at the Harbourmaster, the Welsh language is a really important part of our welcome. If people are here to stay for a night or just popping in for a quick drink or a coffee, it’s important to us that they are able to speak Welsh. It’s great because the positive response we’ve had in the newspapers, in the broadsheets, view the Welshness of the hotel as a sense of place, as an additional part of the experience of staying here. It’s really something that we believe strongly in. The Welsh language is strong in this part of Wales, and we reflect part of the heritage and culture of West Wales: it can be felt very strongly in the environment that we have in the hotel, in the bar and restaurant, and Welsh is very much a living language.

“We try to make sure that everything we do is as professional as possible. The attention to detail is very important in making sure that the people who stay here feel comfortable and have a good time. The ability to speak Welsh as a professional skill is just as important to us as the other skills needed when welcoming people. From the second that someone steps through the door we are ready to offer them a really warm Welsh welcome. There’s no doubt to us that the Welsh language as a skill opens many doors...”

4. SOUTH CARNARFON CREAMERIES

Rhian Wyn Owen, Member of Laboratory Staff:

“For me in my work here, the fact that I can speak Welsh is really important to the company. If you think about it, one of the most important things in the creamery is getting the milk from the farmer. If we haven’t got the milk, then there’s no product. It’s as simple as that!

“The majority of farmers which provide us with milk are natural Welsh speakers. As I receive the milk in the lab, there are many situations where I have to contact the farmers individually to discuss the supply with them. Although there are over one hundred and fifty of them I know exactly when I need to speak Welsh on the phone, and that’s quite often! Welsh is the natural language of the conversation and the language which is also natural to me in my work. The company understands how important this is and makes sure that all lab technicians can speak Welsh when looking for new staff.

“Although I’m just one person in a very big process of preparing cheese and milk which reach all sorts of shops, I think that the fact that I speak Welsh is central to the whole thing.”

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5. RONDO MEDIA

Gareth Williams, Chief Executive:

“The Media industry can be a very competitive one here in Wales. There are so many different aspects to the work. At Rondo Media there are so many different career opportunities and being part of a team which contributes to the work of producing tv programmes in Welsh and in English which will be watched by thousands of people can be very exciting.

“But having said that, working in the media is hard work. Rondo is an independent company which has to compete for contracts against several other companies. To do that we must retain and develop staff of the highest possible quality within the company. Being part of a team is so important when working on location or in the office. And our team works through the medium of Welsh!

“Getting a job in the Media can be very difficult at times, due to the competitive nature of the industry. But when you consider that 57 of the 60 people working with us on a permanent contract can speak Welsh fluently and clearly, the message is also clear. As an individual competing against many other individuals, it can be difficult and lonely at times. But my advice would be to stay positive. Try and showcase your skills, communicate your ideas clearly, and show what you’ve got to offer to the company, and emphasise clearly that you can work through the medium of Welsh. Good luck to you!"

6. YSGOL GYMRAEG Y FFIN

Hayley Evans, Early Years Teacher:

“Working with young children is so rewarding. Seeing the way that they develop skills is great, especially skills which will be so important to them later in life.

“It’s clear that I wouldn’t be able to do my work here in the Nursery if I couldn’t speak Welsh. The importance of introducing the Welsh language to children at a very early stage gets so much attention and support from projects such as Twf and Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin. It’s fantastic because children learn new skills during the foundation phase with its emphasis on play. They can come from families where they haven’t heard a word of Welsh and learn new vocabulary and start speaking Welsh very naturally. Research also shows that bilingual children can think more creatively and perform better in subjects such as Science which requires problem solving.

“If you want to work with young children in any field in Wales today, from my experience the ability to speak Welsh is very, very important. Look at me, I work in a primary school which is almost in England and I wouldn’t be here at all if it wasn’t for the fact that I’m able to speak and work through the medium of Welsh!”

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Documents

CEFNDIR - Careers Wales€¦ · Web viewThe hotel clearly shows that the experience of staying in west Wales is one where the Welsh language is a natural part of everyday life. Around