Allan MacDonald, who chairs Bòrd na Gàidhlig, and John Swinney MSP, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Educati on and Skills, launching the Nati onal Gaelic Language Plan.
In the spring of this year the Scotti sh Parliament launched the new Nati onal Gaelic Language Plan, which covers the next five years, to help Gaelic grow. The plan aims to get people using the language more oft en and increase the number of learners and its everyday use. This is good news for all students wanti ng to pursue Gaelic courses: you are going to be in great demand once you qualify. Vacancies for Gaelic-speakers are growing through government and local authority jobs, NGOs and the entertainment and creati ve sector are major employers and earners both at home and overseas. It is calculated that more than £150million a year comes into the Scotti sh economy thanks to the Gaelic language – and that means a significant number of jobs, especially here in the Gàidhealtachd, the heartland of the language in the Highlands and Islands.
Allan MacDonald, who chairs Bòrd na Gàidhlig, which compiled the report, said: ‘The opportuniti es for Gaelic to contribute to Scotland’s economic growth through business, educati on, publishing, arts, literature, drama, media and music will be pursued. This includes developing Gaelic medium workforce recruitment, retenti on, training and supply increasing the demand and provision for Gaelic educati on.’ Gaelic, or an awareness of the language and culture, is oft en seen as a valued asset in an employees’ CV in many tourism and hospitality jobs in the Highlands.