Business Language Champions AWARDS 2011:

Minister sees top businesses awarded for great work
with schools
Leading Welsh businesses gathered at the historic Pierhead Building in Cardiff Bay on
Wednesday 19^th October to celebrate the outstanding work going on across the country to show young people the true value of languages at work.

Deputy Minister for Skills Jeff Cuthbert watched as 10 successful businesses scooped awards for the work they have been doing with school children to highlight the links between learning foreign languages and being successful in business. The initiatives are all part of the Business Language Champions (BLC) programme, which aims to address the decline in language take up and beyond by showing young people how useful languages can be in a whole range of careers. The BLC Scheme aims to support the development of vocationally-related language learning (ie NVQ) offering an alternative learning pathway for language learners. Students studying Business Languages at NVQ will undertake at least 1 visit to a local business which uses languages and has international links. Businesses explained that because of a shortage of people who can combine language skills with other practical skills in our country, many employers are relying more and more on recruiting from overseas. If Wales and the UK want to be able to compete in a global market, we need more people on our shores who are able to speak other languages. Our BLCs all understand the challenges facing language learning in schools and highly value their engagement with language learning. They are forward thinking and realise that in encouraging young people to continue with their language studies, there are potentially clear benefits for their own business. Eriez Magnetics Europe Ltd walked away with the prize for innovation thanks to their work with Blackwood Comprehensive School. Head teacher Ravi Pawar is delighted with the partnership which will see a group of language students actually being offered a future apprenticeship with the company. Sales Director John Curwen said: “Over 75% of our orders so far this year are from overseas. The aggressive growth that we demand of our business would not be achievable if we did not have employees with a range of language skills. Simple as that.” The award for outstanding commitment was scooped by Cassidian, part of the massive EADS Defense group, based in Newport for their work with several local schools and hundreds of pupils. Guest speaker Helen Cherré from the company said “Obviously languages are key to business and they’re key to Wales for the future. Only this morning I hired someone who speaks German… If all else is equal on a CV, it’s the language that makes the difference”. Scott Evans from Cassidian was also presented with the ambassador award for his personal commitment to talk, tours and role-model status with aspiring linguists.

From world security to tourism: Catrin Elis and Reme Munos from Cardiff Airport were honoured with the Ambassador award by Bryn Hafren School, Barry for their skills survey project with airport employees. Pupils then designed bespoke language lessons for employees to learn useful airport phrases to help customers. Danielle Parry MFL teacher agrees that the partnership has had a huge impact on students’ motivation for learning with their GCSE classes increasing from 6 to 8 because pupils now see relevance of their language studies. Sian Enticott was unable to accept her ambassador award in person due to her work commitments with Crespo olive company in Seville, but sent a letter of appreciation to be read out. Her Skype sessions from Spain with Maes Garmon school have brought language learning to life. Amongst the highly commended for their outstanding commitment was Eversheds international law firm, Schools into Europe and the National Waterfront Museum whilst Big Pit National Coal Museum and TaTa Steel were recognised for their innovative work with local schools. Kelly Wilcock from TaTa recognises the importance of going into schools where young people barely move within a mile of their house, and inspiring them to broaden their horizons and their ambitions by taking on languages.

To close the day, Sian Holleran and Ellie Jones spoke about the opportunities to be accessed post-16. Mobility is on the rise and our youngsters need to take full advantage of the grants and periods of time they are entitled to spend abroad. The Business Language Champions programme so far has been instrumental in raising awareness of how important languages are for employability. What needs to happen now is that more businesses follow the example of the organisations honoured at the Awards, not only to give school children more exposure to languages at work, but also to increase their own profile in the local area. You will have access to a wealth of employers through your own school pupils, find out who parents work for and see if there are any businesses that work internationally. A BLC could be on your very own doorstep.

For more information about the BLC read the CILT Cymru website / contact: carolyn.goodwin@ciltcymru.org.uk bethan.enticott@ciltcymru.org.uk

The RESULTS

The BLC awards are designed to recognise and celebrate the support that businesses are giving to pupils studying a modern foreign language in Wales through CILT Cymru’s BLC scheme.

We invited nominations for 3 categories and by the closing date of July 4th we were delighted to receive 10 applications from schools across Wales wanting to nominate their link BLC company for a prestigious Award. They all explained how their business links had motivated their pupils and helped them see the relevance of their NVQ language study.

The judging panel consisted of a representative from the South Wales Chamber of Commerce, Careers Wales, WJEC and CILT Cymru. The level of entry was high and each application had it's own individual merit.