Four partners came together at the Eisteddfod today: Qualifications Wales, Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, Coleg y Cymoedd and ColegauCymru to raise awareness of how collaboration across the sector is helping to enhance Welsh-medium provision of post-16 vocational qualifications, with a specific focus on creative subjects.
The event was one of the annual gatherings held under the strategic partnership between Qualifications Wales and Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, who each year host an event at the National Eisteddfod alongside the local college. This provides opportunities to acknowledge the ongoing efforts to increase Cymraeg qualifications, delivery and availability of resources and staffing within further education and work-based learning in key priority areas.
Qualifications Wales shared details of a recent report that found qualifications in art, creative and media subjects are meeting the needs of learners and are available bilingually in English and Cymraeg.
Others shared their efforts in promoting Cymraeg provision in these fields, with a panel discussion featuring insights from learners.
Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol have identified the creative sector as a priority area in terms of Cymraeg provision, and presented new resources to support learners.
Dr Ioan Matthews, Chief Executive of Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, said,
"It’s a pleasure to host a joint event with our partners to platform the good work that is taking place to increase Cymraeg and bilingual provision and qualifications in the creative industries field. As one of the priority areas of our Further Education and Apprenticeship Action Plan, over the past year the Coleg has supported provision in eleven further education colleges and one apprenticeship provider in the creative industries area and is delighted that several learners have taken advantage of the opportunities. In addition, we are pleased to announce that we have commissioned a new resource, 'Creative Industries Units' to support the provision, which we are looking forward to launching at this year's National Eisteddfod.”
Ashok Ahir, Director of Communications and Engagement at Qualifications Wales, added,
“Qualifications Wales’ targeted review work looks at vocational qualifications in key employment sectors in turn, considering the needs of learners alongside the needs of industry and the economy. Our recent report established that qualifications in creative subjects are meeting the needs of learners and are available bilingually in English and Cymraeg. Our stakeholders and partners were an integral part of this review, and so we’re excited to celebrate the strengths of Cymraeg provision in this sector at this joint event, as we continue our work together to strengthen provision.”
Jonathan Morgan, Principal, Coleg y Cymoedd, further added,
“Promoting the Welsh language in the art and creative media sector is not just about preserving our cultural heritage; it’s about enriching the educational experience for our learners and opening new avenues for creativity and innovation. By embracing bilingual education, we empower our learners to express themselves fully, ensuring that the Welsh culture continues to thrive in Coleg y Cymoedd and the wider community."
David Hagendyk, Chief Executive, ColegauCymru, concluded,
“ColegauCymru was pleased to take part in this valuable panel discussion. Together with Y Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, our further education colleges are committed to working with Welsh Government to achieve their ambitious target of a million Welsh speakers by 2050.
For this target to be achieved, investment is needed to support the development of Welsh language skills levels at post-16; to provide opportunities that encourage learners to continue to use their Welsh when they leave school and which enables everyone to develop the Welsh language skills needed for the workplace in their local communities. The further education sector is calling for increased investment to help build a strong bilingual workforce to help achieve this.”
Further Information
Lucy Hopkins, Communications Manager
Lucy.Hopkins@ColegauCymru.ac.uk
