Apprentice electrician Ifan Wyn Phillips is embracing his role as both a Welsh language ambassador for Pembrokeshire College and an Apprenticeship Ambassador for Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.
Now in his third year as an Apprenticeship Ambassador, appointed by Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol and the National Training Federation of Wales (NTfW), Ifan is passionate about promoting bilingual apprenticeships to learners across Wales.
As part of his ambassadorial role Ifan has undertaken many promotional activities including talking to secondary school children at Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli about his job and the benefits of apprenticeships. He has also taken part in Instagram Takeovers organised by Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol and the NTfW during national Apprenticeship Week.
A Welsh speaker from Crymych, Ifan is working towards an Apprenticeship in Electrical Installation through EAL, delivered bilingually by Pembrokeshire College and works for the family business, D. E. Phillips and Sons Ltd, on residential, commercial and agricultural properties.
His passion for promoting the Welsh language led to him winning the William Salesbury Further Education and Apprenticeship Award at Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol’s Annual Awards in 2021. The award recognises the contribution of a learner or apprentice to Welsh language life and culture within a further education college or apprenticeship provider.
Ifan commented: “I enjoy helping to promote Welsh medium and bilingual apprenticeships and it was nice to receive the award from Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol for the work I do. I think it’s very important to advertise and promote the language to get as many people as possible to learn through the medium of Welsh or bilingually. It keeps the language and traditions alive and helps the Welsh Government to reach its target of achieving one million Welsh speakers by 2050.”
Pembrokeshire College is helping Ifan and fellow Welsh speaking learners to continue their learning in their first language. A Welsh speaking member of staff assists in reviews and provides opportunities for learners to speak Welsh.
Janice Morgan, the College’s Welsh language development officer, has taken on an extra role as bilingual support tutor, funded by Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol and commented: “Ifan continues to be a fantastic Welsh language ambassador for the College and grabs every opportunity which is reflected in the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol award that he won.”
The Apprenticeship Programme in Wales is funded by the Welsh Government with support from the European Social Fund.
Find out more about the welsh-medium and bilingual provision within the College
