Recruiters are supporting a push for more Welsh speakers in the workplace as the demand for bilingual staff increases.
Colwyn Bay and Bangor-based Supertemps is backing the Welsh Government’s target of one million speakers of the language by 2050.
Managing Director Sarah Ellwood said there is a shortage of Welsh-speaking candidates in the majority of sectors, notably catering, accountancy, communications and administrative roles.
“We are finding more clients are searching for staff who can communicate effectively in both English and Welsh,” said Sarah.
“This is definitely a USP in certain industries and key roles, so the Welsh Government’s initiative could not have come at a better time.
“We have staff who can deal with enquiries bilingually, so please get in touch if you want to know more and we will support your application.”
The 2011 census reported a drop in the number of Welsh speakers from 582,000 in 2001 to 562,000, about one in five of the population.
Traditional Welsh-speaking areas have been said to be under threat from young people moving away to find work and housing developments aimed at attracting residents from other areas of the UK and beyond, who do not speak the language.
Reinforcing the strategy, First Minister Carwyn Jones said: “Reaching a million speakers is a deliberately ambitious target so that the Welsh langauge thrives for future generations.
“If we are to succeed, we need the whole nation to take ownership of the Welsh language.”
To further support the campaign, £2.5m funding has been allocated to the National Centre for Learning Welsh to continue its ‘Work Welsh’ programme, which welcomed 4,000 participants in the last financial year.
Eluned Morgan, Welsh Government Minister for Welsh Language and Lifelong Learning, says more Welsh in the workplace and expanding the availability of services bilingually is essential.
“Work Welsh is already doing great work in helping people to learn Welsh and improve their confidence to use their Welsh language skills in the workplace.
“This additional funding will enable even more people who can make a significant ongoing contribution to our 2050 target to benefit from the training and support on offer.”
For more information, visit www.supertemps.co.uk or follow @supertempsltd on social media.
