Date 21/04/08
Organisation Name: Wales Council for Voluntary Action
Project Description: The project idea is for a mainstream provision of
the recently piloted Skills for Regeneration programme. It will build on the knowledge and
experience gained through the management and delivery of the pilot which has supported 6
community development apprenticeship schemes in Communities First areas across Wales.
Skills for Regeneration will provide entry routes and learning pathways into community
development to support and reinforce the work being done through Communities First and
other local regeneration initiatives.
Skills for Regeneration will create a network of learning providers, community
development (CD) organisations and work experience placement providers. Together, they
will be able to facilitate effective community development learning to support the
development and regeneration of our deprived areas. The model would consist of a hub
organisation which would establish an administrative infrastructure and bursary scheme,
which would fund 2 tiers of community development learning.
• The first tier of
provision will support a CD apprenticeship scheme
where learners are waged, attend formal accredited learning and benefit from work
experience placements within the community. Learning provision will extend to NVQ/OCNlevel
3. NB. The term apprentice, in this instance, refers to the model of delivery – learning
the job while doing it, under supervision. This tier is not restricted to young people.
• The second tier will
support continuing and professional development
through bursaries, for those already employed in the field. It will provide access to
higher level learning at NVQ level 4/first degree and above for those who wish to further
their CD learning. Bursaries would contribute to the cost of higher level learning. The
learner or their employer will be expected to supply the balance of the fees.
Together, the 2 tiers provide a progression route for activists and practitioners,
combining both formal accredited learning and hands on, “learning by doing” within
communities.
Funding from the Competitiveness programme will be sought to support the Skills for
Regeneration programme in non Convergence areas
Email Address: fbliszko@wcva.org.uk
Geographical Area of Operation: All Communities First/Communities Next
areas
Organisation Core Business: Wales Council for Voluntary Action
exists to make Wales a better place by championing the voluntary, community and citizen
action at the heart of Wales’ third sector in order to increase economic, social and
environmental participation, inclusion, equality, wellbeing and sustainable activity
Who will be involved in delivering the project: Delivery partners will
include county voluntary councils, housing associations, development trusts, HE and FE
institutions, Communities First partnerships and other third sector organisations.
Who will be the end beneficiaries: 75 community development
apprentices across Wales gaining employment and accessing learning to levels 2 and 3
Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: The eligible Convergence
and Competitiveness areas (subject to funding) in each Spatial Plan area: South East
Wales, Swansea Bay, Pembrokeshire, Central Wales, North West Wales and North East Wales.
What might the outputs(activity measures ESF priority 3 – raising
skills levels of the workforce.
This is the second tier of provision and will support community development
apprenticeship schemes on a county wide basis; the scale of the apprenticeship scheme
being dependent on the number of Communities First areas within the county. The
apprenticeships will provide formal accredited learning in community development at level
2 and 3 along with other informal learning. This will be underpinned by work experience
placements with community organisations to provide hands on experience of the community
development role. The apprenticeship programme addresses the need for locally recruited
and qualified development workers, providing nationally recognised qualifications,
valuable work experience and an in depth understanding of local issues.
What might be the results of the project: The results of this
programme will be the establishment of a dispersed community development learning network
which will target and directly support the regeneration of Wales’ most deprived areas.
What would its impact be This project will promote, encourage and
facilitate participation in learning for people from the most deprived areas in Wales. It
will also provide support and routes into employment by, reducing economic inactivity and
reliance on benefits. It will provide routes and opportunities for the continuing personal
and professional development of the workforce in this field. This project will provide a
legacy of qualified and experienced community development/regeneration workers from local
communities, who will be seen as role models for those who wish to progress into this
field of work.
Roughly what might be the scale of the project: This project will run
for 2 years, during which time it will deliver 1 apprenticeship programme, lasting 24
months. CPD provision at level 4 and above will continue throughout the life of the
project and will be available on demand.
Estimated Cost: £4m
Where might the match funding come from: Communities Next, employers,
DCELLS
Date 08/04/08
Organisation Name: New Sandfields Aberavon Sustainable
Regeneration - PC Care Project
Project Description: PCCARE is a Communities@one funded project until
June 2008, the proposed project whilst continuing with its current work will introduce new
and innovative ways working and adding value, it will promote social inclusion, business
growth, economic development and innovation through the medium of information
Communication Technology (ICT), embedding Social Enterprise to help sustain the project in
the long-term.
PC CARE provides an ICT service for the community, which bridges the gap in the lack of
ICT service provision within the areas. PC CARE supports local community businesses,
volunteer organisations and residents with the innovative delivery of services.
With the greater use of ICT, it is envisaged that there will be more technical support
needed. It is envisaged that PC CARE will become a social enterprise to ensure the long
term sustainability of the project as well as the long term positive effects on the
community to encourage digital inclusion.
Building on its current provisions of free Non-Accredited Training which has helped
over 300 people access IT Training for the first time with over 700 return beneficiaries
using the project within its first year, PCCARE has also helped over 700 individuals,
groups and SME’s.
PCCARE have also offered 20 work placements for volunteers, run over 200 dedicated
classes, engaged with over 35 partners with over 50 referrals whilst making over 100
call-outs to residents for IT related problems.
The following provisions will be incorporated into the project offering innovative ways
to learn whilst offering a specialist service that is greatly needed within the area:-
ICT Training:
The training offered will be tailored to the needs of the service user whether it is a
local resident or a local business. Such classes may include basic IT, Email and Internet,
Office Programmes, Web Design and PC Building/Maintenance. The training offered will be
both accredited and non-accredited. The project will also look at providing ICT Training
to the local workforce, to raise the skills and knowledge base of the local workers. The
project will also be able to offer training to other areas via outreach, courses could be
tailored to suit organisation needs.
ICT Technology Suite:
The technology suite will increase its internet awareness classes through road shows in
local schools and promotional events; it will also showcase all the new innovations,
hardware and products. The suite and its presentation equipment can also be made available
for rental to external organisations in line with the social enterprise objectives of the
project. The technology suite will also be offered to local businesses for rental for
bespoke ICT Training such as Web Design etc.
IT Support:
IT leasing and ad hoc support will play a vital role in generating income to sustain the
project in the long term. PC Leasing will be offered to local organisations and SME’s to
be paid on a monthly basis via a direct debit. This will generate a monthly income for the
project.
The project also aims to establish a membership scheme whereby users of the facilities
and services can become members for a nominal fee of £20.
This cost will allow members to obtain discounts on all repairs, free advice and support
and a USB Pen with free internet security software.
Members will also receive a monthly update from PCCARE about what’s happening that month
and any special offers.
PC Care Recycling:
This element of the project will build upon the piloted PC Refurbishment scheme. New
services that will be launched include the recycling of ink, paper as well as other items.
This element will see the development of the current PCCARE site into a dedicated
recycling centre. It is with this aim in mind that the need to employ a new dedicated
staff member to take this vision forward.
PAT Testing:
A new and innovative element of PCCARE will be to offer a PAT Testing service that will be
available to local businesses as well as internal projects. This will also generate
income.
Training Room Hire:
Training room hire will be offered to external organisations who wish to rent space within
the facility.
Leasing of PC’s and Equipment:
Yearly leases will be offered to local organisations and businesses which will cover all
labour and hardware costs. Presentation equipment will also be available for rental. Hire
Agreements will be offered for PC leasing and equipment.
Website Design:
Website design will be offered to local voluntary groups, businesses and the private
sector at a competitive fee. Websites will be built to order and will also offer
provisions such as email and web space hosting.
Database Development:
Customised databases will be offered for sale, as well as database repair and
improvements. This provision will be offered to local businesses, voluntary groups or the
statutory sector.
Business IT Training:
Bespoke IT training will be offered to local businesses either through an induction
package or particular training bespoke to the businesses needs.
This training may include customised packages such as data back up, Microsoft Office or
Website Design. It will also be the aim to acquire service support contracts with external
groups, organisations and businesses.
Apprenticeship Scheme:
Individuals on apprenticeship schemes have been utilising the facility and staff within PC
Care as a placement to complete practical elements of ICT apprenticeships. This is an
element of the project that will be expanded post June 2008.
Digital Systems and set-up:
With analogue broadcasting being phased out, PCCARE will offer the service of Digital
set-up, offering advice and training to get people ready for the switch.
Email Address: info@nsapccare.co.uk
Geographical Area of Operation: Swansea Bay: Waterfront and Western
Valleys.
Organisation Core Business: ICT Training * ICT Technology Suite
* ICT Support * PC Care Recycling * Social Enterprise * Business Growth and Development
Who will be involved in delivering the project: Joint Delivery
Partners:
Who will be the end beneficiaries: Unemployed people, possibly those
who are on sickness related benefits.
Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: Swansea Bay Waterfront
& Western Valleys, plus Pembrokeshire.
What might the outputs(activity measures 100 enterprises
assisted over the lifespan of the project;
What might be the results of the project: 600 people accessing
IT Training for the first time
What would its impact be Income generation £80,000 -
£100,000 (5 years)
Roughly what might be the scale of the project: The project will run
over a 5 year period, employing 7 members of staff.
Estimated Cost: £1.2 – £1.5 million pounds over 5 years
Where might the match funding come from: Targeted match funding pot;
Date 13/03/08
Organisation Name: Cymdeithas Alzheimer's Society
Project Description: By providing training (a)Povide necessary skille
for informal (family) carers to cope with their caring role and to prepare them for the
workplace when their caring roles are over. (b) Raise the
skills levels of care home staff (c) Raise the skills leves of
domiciliary care staff (d) Provide training opposrtunities for unemployed persons to
equip them with skills for the workplace.
Email Address: arowlands@alzheimers.org.uk
Geographical Area of Operation: North West Wales
Organisation Core Business: The Alzheimer's Sociewty is the
leading UK charity for people with dementia and those who care for them
Who will be involved in delivering the project: Qualified trainers
supported by Administrator(s) employed by the Alzheimer's Society
Who will be the end beneficiaries: (a) Family or informal
carers (b) Staff in care homes
(c) Domicilliary care workers (d) Unemployed persons seeking skills of caring
Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: Counties of Gwynedd and
Ynys Mon
What might the outputs(activity measures Improved skills - NVQ
qualifications
What might be the results of the project: (a) A better qualified
workforce (b) A larger 'pool' of qualified workers for the care sector (c) Reduction
in unemployment
What would its impact be A higher qualified workforce
Roughly what might be the scale of the project: Seen as a three year
peoject initially
Estimated Cost: £325,696 ove life of project
Where might the match funding come from: Big Lottery Funbd, Local
Authorities, Welsh Assembly Government, Corporate Funders
Date 12/03/08
Organisation Name: Prifysgol Morgannwg
Project Description: Sefydlodd Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru chwe
Chanolfan Cymraeg i Oedolion penodol ar draws Cymru yn 2006. Y Canolfannau hyn sydd wedi
bod yn flaengar ac yn arwain newidiadau yn y modd y cynllunnir a chyllidir y rhaglen
Cymraeg i Oedolion hyd yma. Eu nod yw meithrin gallu, gwella sicrhau ansawdd a gwella’r
dilyniant o un lefel i’r nesaf ac i gyflawni’r nod o gael mwy o ddysgwyr i siarad
Cymraeg yn rhugl. Fodd bynnag, un maes sydd eto heb wireddu’i botensial ac heb fod wedi
ei ariannu’n ddigonol o fewn yr adnoddau cyfredol ydy addysgu Cymraeg mewn gweithleoedd
y sectorau preifat a gwirfoddol.
Yn ôl ymchwil annibynnol diweddar a gomisiynwyd gan Fwrdd yr Iaith Gymraeg, gwelwyd
cynnydd ym mhroffil y Gymraeg yn y sector gyhoeddus, wrth i Gynlluniau Iaith Gymraeg gael
eu gweithredu. Dangosodd yr ymchwil fod 73% o’r gwasanaethau a ddarperir gan gyrff y
llywodraeth a 69% o wasanaethau awdurdodau lleol ar gael yn y Gymraeg neu’n ddwyieithog.
Nid yw Deddf yr Iaith Gymraeg 1993 yn gosod dyletswydd statudol ar sefydliadau ’r sector
breifat na gwirfoddol i ddarparu gwasanaethau drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg. Fodd bynnag, dros y
ddegawd ddiwethaf cafwyd cynnydd sylweddol yn y defnydd y mae cwmnïau’r sector breifat
yn ei wneud o’r Gymraeg ac mae nifer o fudiadau gwirfoddol wedi mabwysiadu Cynlluniau
Iaith Gymraeg.
Mae’r chwe Chanolfan Cymraeg i Oedolion – ar y cyd â Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru a
budd-ddeiliaid allweddol sy’n cynnwys Bwrdd yr Iaith a SAU eraill yng Nghymru – nawr
yn ceisio datblygu sgiliau ieithyddol gweithlu’r sectorau preifat a gwirfoddol er mwyn
cyflawni disgwyliadau a gofynion eu cwsmeriaid a’u cyflogwyr.
• Dysgu yn y Gweithle
Byddai partneriaeth strategol yn sefydlu cynllun cymhwyster cenedlaethol strwythuredig ar
gyfer sgiliau Cymraeg yn y gweithle gan fynd i’r afael â chymhwysedd
craidd/llythrennedd a meysydd penodol sectorau allweddol megis Iechyd, Manwerthu,
Twristiaeth a Gweinyddu. Bydd hyn yn galluogi’r bartneriaeth i ‘Hyfforddi aelodau
o’r gweithlu i ddatblygu sgiliau ieithyddol Cymraeg er mwyn datblygu perfformiad
personol; datblygu’r awydd i ddysgu pellach, ac i sicrhau bod ganddyn nhw’r sgiliau ar
gyfer delio â’
r cynnydd a geir yn y farchnad lafur i fod yn fwy cystadleuol lle mae’r galw am fod yn
ddwyieithog yn amlwg yn yr economi leol’ yn ôl datganiad y Fframwaith Strategol.
Rhagwelir y bydd y prosiect yn cael ei gyflwyno i’r gweithwyr cyflogedig drwy
‘Cyrsiau Dwys Bloc’ gan fod ymchwil yn dangos bod lefel uwch o ddysgu iaith yn cael ei
gyflawni drwy’r dull hwn o’i gymharu â rhyddhau dyddiol syml. Byddai'r cyflogwyr a'r
cyflogai’n cael eu hannog i fanteisio ar y cyrsiau hyn drwy ystod o fentrau, gan gynnwys
ymweliadau â chwmnïau, codi ymwybyddiaeth a marchnata a darparu cyrsiau ‘blasu’ i
ddarpar ddysgwyr.
• Dysgu Cyfunol
Er mwyn gallu cynnig gwasanaeth yn ymarferol i bobl mewn ardaloedd gwledig, na allant yn
hawdd gyrraedd dosbarth, ond a fyddai hefyd yn adnodd hyblyg ar gyfer y defnyddwyr i gyd,
byddai rhyngwyneb ar-lein yn cael ei greu ar gyfer dysgu cyfunol a fyddai’n darparu
gwersi a deunyddiau ar-lein ac hefyd asesiad ar-lein fyddai'n arf diagnostig i fesur y
cymwysterau craidd. Byddai'n rhaid sefydlu llwyfan, o bosib drwy fuddsoddi yn ngwefan
craidd y Canolfannau. Byddai hyn yn ddull mwy rhyngweithiol o ddysgu ac yn clymu â’r
hyn a nodwyd yn ymyriad y Fframwaith Strategol am gael "Mesurau arloesol sy'n
goresgyn rhwystrau i fynediad ar lefelau sylfaenol a chanolig a brofir gan bob
grŵp difreintiedig gan gynnwys:
gweithwyr rhan amser, gweithwyr hŷn, rhai â chyfrifoldebau gofal, rhai ag
anghenion Saesneg ar gyfer Siaradwyr Ieithoedd Eraill (ESOL) neu Gymraeg, a'r rhai sy'n
byw mewn mannau gwledig neu anghysbell'.
Bydd y prosiect yn cymell unigolion i wella'u lefelau sgiliau a bydd yn darparu rhaglen
fydd yn cwrdd ag anghenion y cyflogwr a'r cyflogedig drwy sicrhau darpariaeth ddwys wedi
ei theilwra ond eto'n parhau'n hyblyg.
Hefyd, byddai'n sefydlu fframwaith ar gyfer sgiliau iaith Gymraeg fyddai'n berthnasol i
weithle ac yn cynnig cymhwyster i gyflogwyr i fesur galluoedd yn y Gymraeg fyddai'n
fuddiol wrth recriwtio siaradwyr Cymraeg a datblygu eu staff. Byddai'r fframwaith yn gyson
â'r pum lefel yn y fframwaith generig Cymraeg i Oedolion cyfredol.
Email Address: mjeffrie@glam.ac.uk
Geographical Area of Operation: Gorllewin Cymru a’r Cymoedd
Organisation Core Business: Ymchwil, Addysg, Trosglwyddo Gwybodaeth
Who will be involved in delivering the project: Y chwe Chanolfan
Addysg Gymraeg i Oedolion a budd-ddeiliaid Cymraeg eraill fydd yn gyfrifol am gyflenwi'r
prosiect.
Who will be the end beneficiaries: Ymhlith y rhai fydd yn cael budd o
hyn y mae'r gweithlu, fydd yn caffael sgiliau ieithyddol a chymwysterau ychwanegol i'w
helpu i gadw eu gwaith a chynyddu eu henillion drwy ddatblygiad gyrfa. Gallai'r rhai
cyflogedig hyn fod yn cynnwys rhai sy'n hŷn, mudwyr sydd bellach yn byw yng
Nghymru a merched sy'n gweithio'n rhan amser. Bydd y prosiect hefyd o fudd i gyflogwyr a
chwsmeriaid drwy ddarparu gweithlu â sgiliau datblygedig, sy'n eu gwneud nhw'n fwy cymwys
i ddelio â chwsmeriaid.
Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: Bydd hwn yn brosiect
led-led Cymru ac felly'n ymwneud â'r holl ardaloedd.
What might the outputs(activity measures • Cynnydd mewn gwybodaeth
o'r iaith ac yn yr hyder, • Mwy o
ddefnydd o adnoddau ar-lein ar gyfer dysgwyr, • Cyfranogwyr yn gallu
caffael hyfforddiant dwys, • Cymorth i gyflogwyr i ddarparu hyfforddiant
, • Strategaethau Dysgu a Datblygu drwy ddarparu cwricwlwm wedi
ei
theilwra, cymwysterau a deunyddiau dysgu cymysg
What might be the results of the project: • X o ddarpar
astudwyr yn gallu cael gafael ar
hyfforddiant Cymraeg i Oedolion, • X o gyflogwyr yn cael
cymorth
gyda'u hyfforddiant, • X o ddarpar astudwyr yn ennill
cymwysterau
What would its impact be • Aelodau o'r gweithlu â sgiliau
datblygedig yn y ymraeg, • Sgiliau mwy cystadleuol ar gyfer y farchnad waith lle
mae galw
cynyddol i'w weld o fewn yr economi, • Dengys ymchwil bod gwell gobaith
am gyflogaeth i rai sy'n siaradwyr Cymraeg, a bod eu henillion yn uwch
na'r rhai sydd heb fedru'r iaith Gymraeg, • Gwell gwasanaethau'n
cael eu
darparu drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg, • Y cyfranogwyr yn ennill
ymwysterau, • Cynnydd yn niferoedd y rhai sy'n gallu siarad
Cymraeg yn
unol â "Iaith Pawb".
Roughly what might be the scale of the project: Prosiect strategol
mawr o gydweithio drwy Gymru gyfan (gan ychwanegu gwerth at weithgareddau sy'n bodoli
eisoes)
Estimated Cost: i gadarnhau
Where might the match funding come from: Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru,
Canolfannau Cymraeg i Oedolion, partneriaid, cyflogwyr y sector preifat a gwirfoddol.
Date 11/03/08
Organisation Name: University of Glamorgan
Project Description: The Welsh Assembly Government established six
dedicated Welsh for Adults Centres across Wales in April 2006. The Centres are at
the forefront in driving forward changes in the way the Welsh for Adults programme has
hitherto been planned and funded. Their aim is to enable capacity-building, better
quality assurance and better progression from one level to the next and to achieve higher
levels of learners achieving fluency. However one area whose potential is yet to be
fully realised and is not adequately funded within current resources is the teaching of
Welsh in private and voluntary sector workplaces.
Recent independent research commissioned by the Welsh Language Board has shown an
increased profile for the Welsh language in the public sector, in accordance with the
implementation of Welsh Language Schemes. The research showed that 73% of services
provided by governmental bodies and 69% of local authority services were available in
Welsh or bilingually.
The 1993 Welsh Language Act does not place statutory obligation for private and voluntary
sector organisations to provide services through the medium of Welsh. However, over the
past decade there has been a significant increase in the use made of the Welsh language by
private sector companies, and a number of voluntary organisations have adopted Welsh
Language Schemes.
The six Welsh for Adults Centres - in collaboration with the Welsh Assembly Government
and key stakeholders which include WLB and other Welsh HEI’s - are now seeking to
develop the Welsh language skills of the private and voluntary sector workforce in order
to fulfil the expectations and requirements of their customers and employers.
• Work Based Learning
The strategic partnership would establish a structured national qualification scheme for
work-relevant Welsh language skills, addressing core competency/literacy and key sector
specific areas such as Health, Retail, Tourism and Administration. This will enable
the partnership to ‘Train members of the workforce to develop Welsh language skills in
order to develop personal performance; to develop the desire for further learning, and to
ensure that they have the skills for increased competitiveness in the labour market where
the demand for bilingualism is evident in the local economy’ as stated in the SF.
It is envisaged that the project would be delivered to employees through ‘Block
Intensive Courses’ since research shows higher levels of language learning are achieved
through this method as opposed to simple day release. Employers and employees
would be encouraged to take up these courses by a range of initiatives, including visiting
companies, marketing and awareness raising, and providing ‘taster courses’ to
prospective beneficiaries.
• Blended Learning
In order to feasibly offer a service to those in rural areas who often have limited access
to classes but also retain flexibility as a resource for all users, an online interface
for blended learning would be created providing online lessons and materials as well as an
online assessment as a diagnostic tool to evaluate core competencies. A platform would
need to be created, potentially through investment in the Centres’ core website.
This would be a more interactive approach to learning and relates to the intervention in
the SF regarding ‘Innovative measures that overcome barriers to accessing training at
basic and intermediate levels faced by all disadvantaged groups including: part time
workers, older workers, those with care responsibilities, those with ESOL or Welsh
language needs, and those living in rural or isolated areas’.
The project will encourage individuals to progress their skill levels and will provide
a programme that will meet the needs of the employer and employee by ensuring intensive
provision that has been tailored yet remains flexible. In addition, it would establish a
framework for work-relevant Welsh language skills which would offer employers a
qualification to assess Welsh language competency especially of benefit in the areas of
recruitment of Welsh speakers in the workplace and staff development. This framework would
be consistent with the five levels within the current generic Welsh for Adults framework.
Email Address: mjeffrie@glam.ac.uk
Geographical Area of Operation: West Wales and the Valleys
Organisation Core Business: Research, Education, Knowledge Transfer
Who will be involved in delivering the project: The Welsh for Adults
Centres located in the Competitiveness area and other key Welsh Language stakeholders will
be involved in the delivery of the project.
Who will be the end beneficiaries: Beneficiaries will include
employees who will gain additional bilingual skills and qualifications to help sustain
their employment and increase earning via career progression. These employees could
include older participants, migrants now living in Wales and females working part time.
The project will also benefit the employer and customers by providing employees with
developed Welsh language skills, making them more competent to deal with customers.
Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: All spatial areas covered
by Regional Competitiveness (Pan Wales Project)
What might the outputs(activity measures • Increased knowledge and
confidence in language, • More
interactive use of online resources for learners, • Participants
accessing intensive training, • Employers assisted with
training, •
Learning and Development strategies through the production of tailored curriculum,
qualifications and blended learning material
What might be the results of the project: • X
participants accessing Welsh for Adults training, •
X Employers assisted with training, • X Participants gaining
qualifications
What would its impact be • Members of the workforce with developed
Welsh language
skills, • Skills for increased competitiveness in the labour market
where the demand for bilingualism is evident in the economy, • Research
has shown that Welsh language speakers have a higher employability and
higher earnings than non-Welsh speakers , • A desire for further
learning, • Better services provided through medium of Welsh , •
Participants gaining qualifications , • Increase in the numbers able to
speak Welsh in line with Iaith Pawb
Roughly what might be the scale of the project: Large strategic
and collaborative project across the whole of the Competitiveness area (adding value to
existing activities)
Estimated Cost: To be confirmed
Where might the match funding come from: Welsh Assembly Government,
Welsh for Adults Centres, partners, private and voluntary sector employers
Date 07/03/08
Organisation Name: University of Glamorgan
Project Description: Working in Welsh (WoW) / Gweithio yn Gymraeg
(GyG)
The Welsh Assembly Government established six dedicated Welsh for Adults Centres across
Wales in April 2006. The Centres are at the forefront in driving forward changes in
the way the Welsh for Adults programme has hitherto been planned and funded. Their
aim is to enable capacity-building, better quality assurance and better progression from
one level to the next and to achieve higher levels of learners achieving fluency.
However one area whose potential is yet to be fully realised and is not adequately funded
within current resources is the teaching of Welsh in private and voluntary sector
workplaces.
Recent independent research commissioned by the Welsh Language Board has shown an
increased profile for the Welsh language in the public sector, in accordance with the
implementation of Welsh Language Schemes. The research showed that 73% of services
provided by governmental bodies and 69% of local authority services were available in
Welsh or bilingually.
The 1993 Welsh Language Act does not place statutory obligation for private and voluntary
sector organisations to provide services through the medium of Welsh. However, over the
past decade there has been a significant increase in the use made of the Welsh language by
private sector companies, and a number of voluntary organisations have adopted Welsh
Language Schemes.
The six Welsh for Adults Centres - in collaboration with the Welsh Assembly Government
and key stakeholders which include WLB and other Welsh HEI’s - are now seeking to
develop the Welsh language skills of the private and voluntary sector workforce in order
to fulfil the expectations and requirements of their customers and employers.
• Work Based Learning
The strategic partnership would establish a structured national qualification scheme for
work-relevant Welsh language skills, addressing core competency/literacy and key sector
specific areas such as Health, Retail, Tourism and Administration. This will enable
the partnership to ‘Train members of the workforce to develop Welsh language skills in
order to develop personal performance; to develop the desire for further learning, and to
ensure that they have the skills for increased competitiveness in the labour market where
the demand for bilingualism is evident in the local economy’ as stated in the SF.
It is envisaged that the project would be delivered to employees through ‘Block
Intensive Courses’ since research shows higher levels of language learning are achieved
through this method as opposed to simple day release. Employers and employees
would be encouraged to take up these courses by a range of initiatives, including visiting
companies, marketing and awareness raising, and providing ‘taster courses’ to
prospective beneficiaries.
• Blended Learning
In order to feasibly offer a service to those in rural areas who often have limited access
to classes but also retain flexibility as a resource for all users, an online interface
for blended learning would be created providing online lessons and materials as well as an
online assessment as a diagnostic tool to evaluate core competencies. A platform would
need to be created, potentially through investment in the Centres’ core website.
This would be a more interactive approach to learning and relates to the intervention in
the SF regarding ‘Innovative measures that overcome barriers to accessing training at
basic and intermediate levels faced by all disadvantaged groups including: part time
workers, older workers, those with care responsibilities, those with ESOL or Welsh
language needs, and those living in rural or isolated areas’.
The project will encourage individuals to progress their skill levels and will provide
a programme that will meet the needs of the employer and employee by ensuring intensive
provision that has been tailored yet remains flexible. In addition, it would establish a
framework for work-relevant Welsh language skills which would offer employers a
qualification to assess Welsh language competency especially of benefit in the areas of
recruitment of Welsh speakers in the workplace and staff development. This framework would
be consistent with the five levels within the current generic Welsh for Adults framework.
Email Address: mjeffrie@glam.ac.uk
Geographical Area of Operation: West Wales and the Valleys
Organisation Core Business: Research, Education, Knowledge Transfer
Who will be involved in delivering the project: The Welsh for Adults
Centres in the Convergence area and other key Welsh Language stakeholders will be involved
in the delivery of the project.
Who will be the end beneficiaries: Beneficiaries will include
employees who will gain additional bilingual skills and qualifications to help sustain
their employment and increase earning via career progression. These employees could
include older participants, migrants now living in Wales and females working part time.
The project will also benefit the employer and customers by providing employees with
developed Welsh language skills, making them more competent to deal with customers.
Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: All spatial areas covered
by Convergence (Pan Wales Project)
What might the outputs(activity measures •Increased knowledge and
confidence in language, • More
interactive use of online resources for learners, • Participants accessing
intensive training, •Employers assisted with training,
• Learning and
Development strategies through the production of tailored curriculum, qualifications and
blended learning material
What might be the results of the project: • X participants accessing
Welsh for Adults training, • X
Employers assisted with training, • X Participants gaining qualifications
What would its impact be • Members of the workforce with developed
Welsh language
skills, • Skills for increased competitiveness in the labour market
where the demand for bilingualism is evident in the economy, •
Research
has shown that Welsh language speakers have a higher employability and higher earnings
than non-Welsh speakers. • A desire for further learning , • Better
services provided through medium of Welsh, • Participants gaining qualifications,
• Increase in the numbers able to speak Welsh in line with Iaith Pawb.
Roughly what might be the scale of the project: Large strategic
and collaborative project across the of the Convergence area (adding value to existing
activities)
Estimated Cost: To be confirmed
Where might the match funding come from: Welsh Assembly
Government, Welsh for Adults Centres, partners, private and voluntary sector employers
Date 28/02/08
Organisation Name: Torfaen County Borough Council
Project Description: Provide a range of learning opportunities, in
community and work-related settings for employed adults to improve literacy and numeracy,
vocational and ICT skills and qualifications
Provide targeted recruitment by basic skills and adult education specialists to encourage
and enable adults with no/low qualifications to participate in the improvement of literacy
and numeracy, vocational and ICT skills and qualifications
Provide a support and mentoring framework of specialist staff to sustain the above
learners in their learning, remove barriers and encourage and enable retention, successful
completion and progression to further/higher education, promotion within their employment
and/or participation in CPD and other employment-related training.
Email Address: karen.padfield@torfaen.gov.uk
Geographical Area of Operation: Torfaen
Organisation Core Business: Local Government
Who will be involved in delivering the project: Torfaen CBC's ACL
Service, FE Providers, Workbased Learning Providers and other partners
Who will be the end beneficiaries: Employed adults over the age of 16
Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: Torfaen and the 6 valleys
What might the outputs(activity measures): Increase in the number of
employed participants accessing training up to level 4
What might be the results of the project: Increased numbers of employed
adults with qualifications
What would its impact be: Improved levels of skills and pay within adult
workforce
Roughly what might be the scale of the project: 4,000 over 6 years
(Torfaen) plus Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Merthyr, RCT
Estimated Cost: £2,800,000 (6 years) Torfaen plus above authorities
Where might the match funding come from: Local Authority, DCELLS (SHELL),
BSC
FAQs
