ReACT Funding Ignites Former Fireman’s Desire to Learn Welsh

Being made redundant was a blessing in disguise for a former Vale of Glamorgan fireman as it meant he could fulfil his lifelong ambition of learning to speak Welsh.

Before he lost his job as fire station officer at Cardiff Airport, Terence Owens, aged 64, says he never had the time to attend Welsh lessons. But with more time on his hands after being made redundant, coupled with the Welsh Assembly Government’s ReACT funding, the grandfather-of-four was able to enrol on a courseTerence, who lives in Lavernock Point in Sully, was in Barry town centre shortly after he lost his job and came across a stand that was advertising courses atCardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan Welsh for Adults Centre in Cardiff University.

Terence was informed by staff at the Welsh for Adults Centre that he could apply for ReACT funding because he had been made redundant, which would more than cover the cost of a Welsh course.Supported by the European Social Fund, ReACT offers a package of support to help redundant workers gain new skills, overcome obstacles and improve their chances of returning to work.The support includes short course vocational training of up to the value of £2,500, a recruitment subsidy for employers of up to £2,080 and up to 70 per cent of approved training costs to a maximum of £1,000.

Terence was awarded the funding which enabled him to attend an intensive course at his local Welsh for Adults Centre. Ill-health has temporarily prevented Terence from progressing further with his Welsh but he says when he is better he will definitely return to studying the language.Terence said: “Throughout my life I have always wanted to learn Welsh, but I never seemed to have time. For a long time I was holding down two jobs and I barely had time to see my own family. My dad spoke Welsh and I always regretted that I was never sent to Welsh school. But I’m just a case in point that it’s never too late to learn.”“I’ve been ill recently but once I’m back to my former health I will continue learning Welsh and if I gain employment in the future I hope to be able to use it in my new workplace.” Terence continued: “The course that I did was excellent and I learnt such a lot in a short space of time. I must say that the teaching at the Welsh for Adults Centre was excellent, and although the course was very intense the tutors always gave the time to explain things properly. I would definitely recommend it.”

Rachel Heath-Davies, Director of the Welsh Assembly Government-funded Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan Welsh for Adults Centre, said: “I am very impressed by learners like Terence who decide to turn their misfortune into an opportunity and make positive use of his time to learn Welsh. It is great to see him fulfilling a lifelong ambition and I hope this new found skill will prove to be of additional value when seeking new employment.

“When Terence was working he found that he didn’t have time to learn Welsh. At the Welsh for Adults Centres learning Welsh has never been easier. There are so many flexible ways to learn the language, in particular our acclaimed online ‘blended WLPAN course’.”

John Griffiths, Deputy Minister for Skills, and a Welsh learner himself, said: “I am really pleased to see that the combination of ReACT funding and excellent learning provision at the Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan Welsh for Adults Centre has enabled Mr Owen to achieve his dream of speaking Welsh. There are so many good reasons to learn to speak Welsh and there has never been a better time to do it.”