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The principles of language planning within the workplace are not only relevant to bodies that
come under legislation. Our aim is to build upon the work being done across all sectors to
significantly increase the opportunities for individuals to use their language skills within
workplace settings.

Evidence from the Welsh Language Use Survey 2013–15 (Welsh Government and Welsh
Language Commissioner 2015) suggests that more Welsh speakers use Welsh with their
colleagues where the employer is supportive of the use of Welsh in most aspects of the work
of the business. Strong and visible leadership is therefore required across all sectors to embed
bilingualism as a natural part of the workplace – not only to ensure compliance with legislation,
but
to ensure a culture shift towards a recognition of the benefits that an increasingly bilingual workforce can
contribute within the economy.

We need to further develop and share our understanding of bilingual skills as a part of workforce
planning, including anticipating demand and supply for particular skills, recruitment and retention of
staff, skills audits and analysis of gaps to enhance our bilingual workforce. A survey of over 4,000
employers in Wales operating in eight sectors (Welsh Government 2014) estimated that almost a
quarter of all staff had some level of Welsh language skills, and 14 per cent of all staff used Welsh at
work.

The 2015 Employer Skills Survey noted that a shortage of oral Welsh language skills was a problem
in around a fifth (22 per cent) of all skills gaps. Similarly, written Welsh language skills were an issue
in 19 per cent of skills gaps. The same survey noted that a shortage of oral Welsh
language skills was a problem in 15 per cent of all skill shortage vacancies. Written Welsh language skills
were an issue in 11 per cent of skill shortage vacancies (UK Commission for Employment and Skills
2015).

We will therefore increase the emphasis on the workplace as a strategic location for promoting and
facilitating an increased use of Welsh. This will require a smoother pathway for young people to
progress from the education system into workplaces that value bilingual skills as a core element
of delivering business aims.

A broad range of Welsh language workplace training will be encouraged to support speakers of
all levels to increase their confidence and ensure they are equipped and empowered to use their
skills at work. We will also focus on improving language awareness among managers, leaders and
business owners.

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