On 30th May, 12:30, on Coleg Cambria’s stall at the Maes at the Urdd Eisteddfod, Flintshire, CollegesWales and Mentrau Iaith Cymru will be launching a Memorandum of Co-operation which outlines both organisations’ intentions to work together to encourage the use of the Welsh language.
CollegesWales and Mentrau Iaith Cymru are committed to work in partnership to develop and increase Welsh-medium and bilingual opportunities for people across Wales. Together they will promote the benefits of bilingualism to young people, emphasising the importance of the Welsh language as a skill for employment. In addition, ColegauCymru and Mentrau Iaith Cymru intend to support the strategic development of Welsh-medium and bilingual activities within further education colleges.
Both organisations are eager to build on their individual achievements and projects and to co-operate on a strategic level in order to support the development of Welsh-medium and bilingual opportunities for people across Wales. By working effectively together it will be possible to expand the audience and participants taking part in both organisations’ activities.
Claire Roberts, Director of Engagement at Colleges Wales said:
“By working together we are more likely to be able to offer more Welsh-medium and bilingual opportunities outside of formal courses and training. Without a doubt, the Mentrau’s services of holding Welsh-medium activities will be a great help to the colleges as they look to expand Welsh-medium and bilingual opportunities to students.
“With two thirds of students aged 16-19 receiving education and training through further education colleges, we have a large audience who could benefit from this partnership. I very much look forward to seeing the national partnership develop.”
Emily Cole, National Coordinator of Mentrau Iaith Cymru said:
“The Mentrau Iaith across Wales recognise the importance and contribution of further education colleges to Welsh-medium and bilingual training opportunities for people of all ages, and certainly for young people who are leaving, or about to leave school.
It is extremely important that young people receiving education and training from their colleges also have access to formal and informal opportunities to use the Welsh language, and we hope to build on the partnerships and co-operation already in place with the Mentrau and their local colleges in order to achieve this.”