Exciting New Pilot Scheme Launched
Thursday 25th Apr 2024
Conwy County Borough Council staff will be able to take advantage of an innovative pilot scheme to learn Welsh thanks to a new partnership with the National Centre for Learning Welsh.
Menna Morris, an experienced tutor with the Centre’s course provider, Learn Welsh North West, which is run by Bangor University, will be working full time with the Council as part of the yearlong scheme.
The scheme is part of the Centre’s ‘Work Welsh’ programme, which aims to strengthen Welsh language skills in workplaces throughout Wales.
There will be a range of intensive courses available for Council staff during work hours, to either learn Welsh or improve Welsh language skills; there will be plenty of mentoring opportunities and support available too.
Efa Gruffudd Jones, Chief Executive of the National Centre for Learning Welsh said: “By working closely with the Council, we are able to offer a range of Learn Welsh courses that have been tailor-made for staff. This kind of planning is part of the success of ‘Work Welsh’, which has attracted over 13,000 learners since its launch in 2016.”
Dr Ifor Gruffydd, Director of Learn Welsh North West at Bangor University, added: “This collaboration is a great opportunity to ensure high quality intensive training for Council staff. The training will enable the Council to provide wider services in Welsh, in a relatively short period of time.”
Cllr Chris Cater, Conwy's Cabinet Member responsible for the Welsh Language and Translation Service, said: “This is a welcome and interesting experiment and we hope that these courses will have a very positive effect and will be very advantageous.
“We’ve worked with the National Centre for Learning Welsh in the past, but this is the first time we’ve had a full time Welsh Tutor working with the Council – we are really looking forward to seeing this scheme develop.”
