In conjunction with Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is offering an opportunity to students with Gaelic skills to be employed for ten weeks during Summer 2025 in the Western Isles with organisations which use Gaelic in the workplace every day. These ten weeks can take place anytime over the summer, but the placement should be completed by Friday 29th August 2025.This Scheme has been running for many years and has been very successful in developing the Gaelic skills of students, and giving them valuable experience of a professional work environment. From the point of view of the organisations, the Scheme can give them the opportunity to hire students to work on specific projects, which would not have been possible to do without the assistance of these students.
Information about the Scheme:
- Students will be placed with employing organisations in the Western Isles who use Gaelic in the workplace every day.
- Students must be in higher education, (i.e. in university or college).
- Students must have at least some degree of Gaelic speaking, reading and writing skills.
- Students must be intending to return to higher education in Autumn, 2025.
- Employing organisations must provide meaningful, immersive opportunities for students to use and develop their Gaelic language skills for the duration of the placement.
- The placement lasts 10 weeks, and can begin at any time, but should conclude by Friday 29th August 2025.
- Employing organisations must pay the real Living Wage to the students (£12.60 per hour) for the 10 weeks of employment.
- Students should work at least 30 hours per week on their placements.
- At the conclusion of the 10 weeks, the Comhairle will pay 50% of the final, total costs of hiring the students to the employing organisations, up to a maximum of £1,900.
If you are a student with Gaelic skills, who will be in the Western Isles over Summer 2025, and you wish to apply for the Scheme, can you please complete the application form, and return it to: Donald.Weir@cne-siar.gov.uk
Student Placement Application Form
The closing date for student applications is Monday 21st April 2025.
If you are an organisation which uses Gaelic in the workplace, and you wish to hire a student/students over Summer 2025, can you please contact Dòmhnall Weir at Donald.Weir@cne-siar.gov.uk to register your interest and for more detailed information about the process.