Picture caption: Chief Executive of Hywel Dda University Health Board, Steve Moore and Board Chair, Bernardine Rees OBE
Board members of Hywel Dda University Health Board are the first people in Wales to sign up for a new online Welsh language course, part of an innovative learning programme called Work Welsh.
The aim of Work Welsh is to give employees new opportunities to learn and improve their Welsh in the workplace. The programme also includes intensive courses up to three months in length and five-day specialist residential courses.
Work Welsh is being introduced by the National Centre for Learning Welsh following an additional investment of £3m by the Welsh Government to improve and increase the use of Welsh in the workplace. The fully-funded programme offers opportunities to employees in different sectors to improve their language skills and supports learners at different levels, whether beginners or more experienced speakers. There is also an emphasis on raising the confidence of people who already speak Welsh but feel unsure about using the language in a work context. An employer’s information service is also included, with advice on skills assessment, as well as an after-care scheme.
Steve Moore, Chief Executive of Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “Our staff provide healthcare to over 384,000 people across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire and there is a need for Welsh language services in these areas. This new programme gives us an exciting opportunity to improve our employees’ Welsh language skills so that we can offer bilingual services to more of our patients. We are delighted to be leading the way and will also be promoting the other available courses to colleagues across the organisations.”
Efa Gruffudd Jones, Chief Executive of the National Centre for Learning Welsh says: “This is a new opportunity for individuals who are keen to learn or improve their Welsh to do so with the support of their employers. A variety of courses are available, with the aim of facilitating and increasing the use of Welsh in the workplace.
“We’re delighted that Hywel Dda University Health Board has seized this opportunity and look forward to working with them over the coming months as they support their employees’ language skills development.”
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For further information contact:
Siân Jones, Equinox Communications on 07525 261600
Megan Evans, Equinox Communications on 029 2076 4100
Editor’s notes
- The National Centre for Learning Welsh is responsible for providing strategic leadership to the Welsh for Adults sector. This role includes the development and provision of Welsh for Adults courses in the workplace, including the 80 bodies that fall under the language standards legislation.
- The Work Welsh programme includes the following strands:
- Information and advice for employers.
- Online welcome/reception courses (giving learners a grasp of basic Welsh greetings and phrases).
- Intensive courses up to three months in length.
- Residential courses to improve confidence and provide specialist terminology.
