Tachartas dreuchdan Gàidhlig ‘Siuthad!’ a’ tilleadh gu Cùirt an Easbaig

Thàinig luchd-labhairt òga na Gàidhlig bho àrd-sgoiltean air feadh sgìre Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd còmhla aig Cùirt an Easbaig ann an Inbhir Nis air Diciadain 30 Dàmhair airson tachartas dreuchdan Gàidhlig. Chaidh an tachartas, a tha a-nis aon bliadhna deug a dh’aois, a chur air dòigh le Leasachadh Sgilean na h-Alba (LSA) agus Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd, le maoineachadh bho Bhòrd na Gàidhlig. 

B’ e amas an tachartais fiosrachadh a thoirt seachad do sgoilearan mu dhreuchdan Gàidhlig agus mu na cothroman a tha rim faotainn ann an diofar roinnean sa mhargaidh obrach, far a bheil sgilean Gàidhlig nam buannachd. Bha luchd-ionnsachaidh na Gàidhlig ann an ÀS2 agus ÀS3 an làthair agus bha cothrom aca barrachd fhaighinn a-mach mu chothroman ann am foghlam adhartach is àrd-ìre far am faodadh sgilean Gàidhlig dorsan fhosgladh gu soirbheachas. 

Chaidh an tachartas fhosgladh le Calum MacFhearghais bho Alba FA, neach-labhairt Gàidhlig à Inbhir Nis a tha ainmeil sa choimhearsnachd spòrs. Bhruidhinn esan mu na dòighean san robh a’ Ghàidhlig air a bhith buannachdail san dreuchd aige fhèin. 

Bha luchd-taisbeanaidh ann cuideachd bho ghrunn bhuidhnean a leithid NHS na Gàidhealtachd, NàdarAlba, Oilthigh Dhùn Èideann, Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd ’s nan Eilean, Coimisean na Croitearachd, agus Oilthigh na Gàidhealtachd is nan Eilean (UHI).

Ghabh sgoilearan pàirt ann an grunn bhùithtean-obrach eadar-obrachail agus choinnich iad ri riochdairean bho dhiofar roinnean a leithid na gnìomhachasan cruthachail, foghlam, craoladh agus an roinn phoblach. Dh’inns iad mun obair a tha iad a’ dèanamh agus na slighean a lean iad anns na dreuchdan aca fhèin.

Bha bùithtean-obrach ann leis a’ BhBC, Fèisean nan Gàidheal, agus Àrainneachd Eachdraidheil Alba. Bha tosgairean òga na Gàidhlig cuideachd a’ bruidhinn ri sgoilearan mun obair aca agus mu na dòighean anns a bheil cleachdadh cànain air an t-slighe dhreuchdail aca fhèin a chuideachadh. 

Derek MacCoinnich, Thuirt Oifigear Leasachaidh Gàidhlig LSA:  “Tha tachartasan mar seo cudromach ann a bhith a’ toirt am follais nan cothroman a tha fosgailte do luchd-ionnsachaidh na Gàidhlig. Tha iad cuideachd a’ sealltainn gu bheil raon farsaing dhreuchdan rim faotainn dhaibh agus gun fhiach beachdachadh orra airson an ama ri teachd.”

Thuirt an Comhairliche Calum Rothach, Cathraiche Comataidh Gàidhlig Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd: 

“Tha mi fìor thoilichte gun deach an tachartas a chumail ann an Cùirt an Easbaig uair eile agus gu bheil sinn a’ sìor thogail air an deagh obair chom-pàirteach eadar Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd, Bòrd na Gàidhlig agus Leasachadh Sgilean na h-Alba. Tha buannachdan mòra an lùib a bhith a’ cleachdadh na Gàidhlig ann an saoghal na h-obrach seach gu bheil seo a’ cruthachadh chothroman dreuchdail. Tha mòran obraichean Gàidhlig is cultarach ann an-dràsta ann an iomadh roinn a leithid riaghaltas ionadail, an roinn phoblach – a’ gabhail a-steach an NHS, teagasg is tràth-bhliadhnaichean, gnìomhachasan cruthachail, gnìomhachasan ùra, roinn na h-àrainneachd, agus na meadhanan sòisealta. 

“B’ e cothrom air leth a bha seo do luchd-ionnsachaidh na Gàidhlig bho sgoiltean air feadh sgìrean na Gàidhealtachd – bho Àird nam Murchan gu Alanais – ceangal a thogail le com-pàirtichean agus tuilleadh rannsachaidh a dhèanamh air cothroman airson dreuchdan a’ buntainn ris a’ Ghàidhlig. Tha fios agam gun robh sgoilearan dhen bheachd gun robh an tachartas an dà chuid fiosrachail is tlachdmhor.”

Thuirt Olivia Nic an Tòisich, sgoilear ÀS3 ann an Acadamaidh Bhaile Theàrlaich, a bha an làthair: 

“Bha latha nan dreuchdan Gàidhlig spòrsail agus a’ gabhail a-steach iomadh rud. Chuala sinn mu na buannachdan a tha an lùib a bhith a’ bruidhinn na Gàidhlig, agus na h-obraichean no na cùrsaichean a chuidicheas tu gus sgilean a thoirt air adhart sa chànan. Bha cothrom aig mòran againn na sgilean cànain is sòisealta againn a ghleusadh agus bha cothroman ann coinneachadh ri daoine ùra. Chòrd e glan rinn, agus mholainn do dhuine sam bith a dhol ann.” 

Gheibhear tuilleadh fiosrachaidh bho derek.mackenzie@sds.co.uk no Margaret.Mulholland@highland.gov.uk

 

‘Siuthad!’ (Go On!) Gaelic careers event returns to Eden Court

Young Gaelic speakers from secondary schools across the Highland Council area joined Skills Development Scotland (SDS) and Highland Council on Wednesday 30 October at Eden Court in Inverness. The event now in its eleventh year, was organised by Highland Council and SDS with funding also provided by Bòrd na Gàidhlig.

The aim of this Gaelic learners event was to highlight information on Gaelic careers and showcase Gaelic opportunities in sectors where having acquired Gaelic language skills is an advantage within the labour market. The event was aimed at Gaelic learners in S2 and S3 and provided the pupils an occasion to explore further and higher education opportunities where using their Gaelic skills could be key to their success.

The event was opened by Calum Ferguson from Alba FA, a Gaelic speaker from Inverness, who is well known in the sports community, he spoke about how Gaelic was hugely beneficial in his career journey. 

The event incorporated a marketplace/exhibitor area made up of several organisations including NHS Highland, Nature Scot, the University of Edinburgh, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Crofting Commission, and the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI).

Pupils participated in interactive workshops and met representatives from various sectors including creative industries, education, broadcasting and the public sector about the work they do and the pathways they followed in their respective careers.

Workshops were hosted by the BBC, Fèisean nan Gàidheal, and Historic Environment Scotland. Young Gaelic ambassadors also spoke to pupils about their work and how language usage has enhanced their Gaelic career path.

Derek Mackenzie, SDS Gaelic Development Officer, said:  “Events like this are important to highlight opportunities that are open to Gaelic learners. They also show the wide range of vocations that are available to them that they should consider for the future.”

Chairperson of Highland Council Gaelic Committee Councillor, Calum Munro, said:

“Delighted that the event took place at Eden Court once again and continues to build on the positive partnership working between the Highland Council, Bord na Gàidhlig and Skills Development Scotland. The opportunity to use Gaelic within the world of work is of a huge advantage as it has a positive influence as it creates career opportunities. There are currently many Gaelic and cultural-related posts of which there are examples including local government, the wider public sector including the NHS, teaching, early years, creative industries, new start-ups, the environmental sector, and social media.

“This was a great opportunity for Gaelic learners from schools across the Highland area from Ardnamurchan to Alness to engage with participants and to explore and research further the opportunities for Gaelic-related careers. I know that pupils found the event very informative and engaging”.

Olivia McIntosh, an S3 pupil at Charleston Academy, said:  “The Gaelic careers day was an all-inclusive and fun experience where we learnt about the benefits of being able to speak Gaelic, and the jobs or courses that can help you to learn or take to use your skills in the language. The event had many of us practising our language and social skills, and there were opportunities to meet new people. We had an amazing time, and I would recommend anyone to go.”

For more information, please contact derek.mackenzie@sds.co.uk or Margaret.Mulholland@highland.gov.uk