Date of press release: 19 February 2009
The European Commission has indicated that hundreds of jobs for English mother tongue interpreters will become available in the next decade. A statement released today from the European Commission indicates ‘we are looking at a need for about 300 English native speaker conference interpreters within the next ten years.'
In 2007, Routes into Languages established the National Network for Interpreting and the National Network for Translation. They seek to develop capacity within higher education to respond to national shortages in these areas. Economic regeneration is a further aim for these Networks, and today's news provides a welcome boost.
Professor Michael Kelly, Director of Routes into Languages, comments:
‘This news demonstrates the great demand for personnel in this professional field. We welcome these excellent opportunities for young people interested in working at the Commission.'
Kathryn Board, Chief Executive of CILT, the National Centre for Languages, further added ‘We are very much aware of the very significant demand for skilled linguists with English as a native language across a wide range of sectors, and are working hard to raise awareness of the importance of languages amongst young people. Through our work with the National Networks for Translation and Interpreting and our Languages Work project we aim to help build a work force of professional linguists to fill the significant skill gaps across a range of industries, including the Interpreting and Translation Departments at the European Commission.'
Routes into Languages, an £8 million programme is funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). Routes into Languages is a partnership between the Higher Education Academy Subject Centre for Languages, Linguistics and Area Studies (LLAS), with the University Council of Modern Languages, and CILT, the National Centre for Languages. The Routes into Languages programme is coordinated by a team at the University of Southampton, directed by Professor Michael Kelly. http://www.routesintolanguages.ac.uk/
Notes
1. The Routes into Languages programme is funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England and the Department for Children, Schools and Families (£8 million).
2. The programme was developed by three organisations working in partnership: the University Council of Modern Languages (UCML), the HE Academy Subject Centre for Languages, Linguistics and Area Studies (LLAS), and CILT, the National Centre for Languages
3. For further information contact Heather McGuinness, Routes into Languages Programme Manager. 023 8059 9613
4. The new European video aimed at pupils aged 14 - 17 can be watched at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MA2fWvtMPDU
