Cynllun Iaith Gymraeg - Rhondda Cynon Taf

Where appropriate, measures in these strategies will include:• re arrangement of duties and responsibilities or transferringof staff where possible• recruitment of Welsh speakers to specific posts on theoccurrence of a vacancy or establishment of a new post• encouraging people with bilingual skills to apply forjobs by including a statement in recruitmentadvertisements that the Council operates astatutory Welsh Language Scheme• provision of access to Welsh language training forstaff5.2 RecruitmentLinguistic ability will be considered as one of the manyrelevant skills when recruiting and appointing staff. Wherelinguistic ability is considered to be essential, or desirable, thiswill be stated in job advertisements.When planning recruitment, linguistic requirements will beconsidered, with an appropriate job and person specificationbeing prepared. Where linguistic ability is considered essential,and a suitably qualified applicant is not forthcoming, then themanager in consultation with the Welsh Services Unit willfollowing alternatives will be considered to meet the linguisticneeds of the service:• to make an appointment which carries an undertaking tolearn Welsh to a specified standard, within a stated time,and with the support of the Council.or:• to identify alternative arrangements to providethe skill in the workplace by using the linguisticskills of existing staff in other service areas.The Council commits to drawing up genericguidelines on the implementation of the LanguageSchemes staffing requirements, either as part ofthe Language Skills Strategy or separately.5.3 Welsh and Vocational TrainingPriority for language training will be given to officers in thoseareas of service delivery where there is regular contact withthe Welsh speaking public or where there is an identifiedshortfall of bilingual staff. Suitable training will be provided ona targeted basis as per the needs of the service area. Trainingwill include Language Awareness, Answering the Phone, Meetand Greet, Taster Courses (providedinternally); with further courses provided bythe University of Glamorgan (Entry,Foundation, Intermediate, Higher,Professional Welsh, Refresher).5.4 Administrative ArrangementsThe Scheme has been approved by and carries the fullauthority of the County Borough Council.The Chief Executive will be responsible for ensuring that theScheme is implemented throughout the Council's services andwill advise Group Directors on the steps required to achievethis. Any complaints received from the public in relation tothe Scheme will be processed within the Council’s CorporateFeedback Scheme.The Council’s established Welsh Language Task Force, seeks toensure that implementation of the Scheme is co-ordinatedand kept under review, to ensure consistency of practiceacross all services.The Council’s Welsh Language Working Group operates onan implementation level and information flows between thesetwo groups.The Council will fund its TranslationUnit to enable it to employ suitablyqualified and experienced staff toenable it to provide a service ofhigh quality.Guidance has been issued to staffgiving details of the Scheme'srequirements and operation. Italso contains advice on thetranslation services available,and how both Welsh speakingand non Welsh speaking staffcan help the public obtain agood service.