Young people across Wales now have the opportunity to practice their Welsh language through skills competitions.
For the first time, there will be up to 9 Skills Wales competitions with specific Welsh language requirements, in order to promote and help young people practice their language, and in some cases give learners the opportunity to experience the language for the first time.
Learners are able to use the Welsh language through the competitions below:
Inspiring Skills Excellence in Wales has been working with Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol to ensure that there is a strong emphasis on the language with young people through competition - ultimately aiming for the Welsh Government's target of one million Welsh speakers.
At the moment 15% of the competitions have Welsh language requirements and Inspiring Skills Excellence aims to increase the figure by targeting other skills each year.
Emma Banfield from Inspiring Skills Excellence in Wales said:
"Skills competitions provide new opportunities for young people across Wales. By competing, learners gain new technical skills but also increase in confidence and personal skills, which is why it is important to us as a project that we can offer competition bilingually. There is a good opportunity for young people to experience the language naturally, and use it in a practical way."
The Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offers training and study opportunities in the Welsh language by working with further education colleges, universities, apprenticeship providers and employers. They inspire and encourage everyone to use their Welsh skills.
The aim of the College is to build a Welsh and bilingual education and training system that is open to everyone and to develop a bilingual workforce. The Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol makes a difference to learners in the further education sector, and the Welsh language by providing Welsh-medium teaching staff and resources to support learners and apprentices in the further education colleges throughout Wales.
Lisa O'Connor, Academic Manager: Further Education and Apprenticeships, Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol said:
"The Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol is very proud to work together with Inspiring Excellence in Skills Wales in order to insert the Welsh language into the skills competitions. It gives young people the opportunity to improve their Welsh communication skills in a professional context and shows the value of the Welsh language as a skill in the workplace."