The Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol are inviting Black, Asian and Minority ethnic Welsh speakers between the ages 16-19 to join its Sbarduno Scheme which provides support for young people to build their confidence and to continue to use their Welsh language skills.
According to Emily Pemberton, the Coleg’s Equality, Diversity and Anti-Racism Co-ordinator, the aim of the scheme is to ensure that Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic young people have the opportunity to discuss their future with a mentor who can offer them advice and guidance on how to maximise their Welsh language skills after leaving school.
Emily said:
"The Welsh language opens so many doors and it is important that Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic pupils can see that opportunities to train, study and work through the medium of Welsh are available and relevant to them.
"In bringing the mentors and students together to discuss experiences, challenges and opportunities, and to offer support and knowledge, we hope to nurture the next generation of Welsh leaders."
A pilot of the mentoring scheme was carried out last year, and Leon Edwards-Ohimekpen who is a sixth form pupil at Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf, Cardiff, was mentored by Ashok Ahir. Ashok is a well-known figure in public life in Wales and Chairman of the National Eisteddfod, President of the National Library, and Director of Communications and Engagement for Qualifications Wales.
Leon said:
"As someone who has parents who didn't go to university, having the opportunity to speak to a mentor who speaks Welsh and has been to university was a clear opportunity for me to learn. I want to go to university and have a career that makes a difference to people's lives in health and care.
"I think having a mentor who speaks Welsh is so important because it shows that people can be successful using their Welsh. Since being on the scheme, I have developed my confidence and would now like to be a role model for other young children from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds."
Cerys Webber, a pupil at Ysgol Gwent Is Coed, Newport, had very positive experiences on the scheme after being mentored by presenter and comedian Melanie Owen. Cerys said:
"This scheme came at the right time for me because I really needed to talk to someone. Mel was so friendly to me and so helpful. She showed me that there are many opportunities available to me to have a successful career here in Wales using the Welsh language.
"I encourage all young people from an ethnic minority background to join this scheme."
Summer Allwood, who is a mentor on the scheme, and is pursuing a career in Criminology in the Prison and Probation Service, said,
"When the opportunity arose to be part of the Sbarduno Scheme to offer support and advice to someone at sixth form I couldn't wait to join. We were both from Welsh and Jamaican backgrounds so we were able to share our experiences of being Welsh speakers belonging to an ethnic minority community and the fact that we were very proud of that."
Natalie Jones, S4C's Education Content Officer, who is also a mentor on the scheme, added:
"I'm very happy to be part of this important scheme that will surely change young people's lives. As a person who belongs to a community that is underrepresented in public life, I am able to identify with the additional challenge that exists to reach ambition in life.
"Even though you have skills, sometimes you're not confident, and you need a mentor to tell you that you deserve to be in the role or on the course like anyone else."
The Coleg welcomes applications from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic students aged between 16-19 before 8 October 2024. Visit this page for further information. A video on the Sbarduno scheme can be viewed on the Coleg Cymraeg You Tube channel
Dr Ioan Matthews, Chief Executive of the Coleg, said:
"We are very proud of our new and important scheme because we as an organisation and as a sector have a lot of work to do in the field of equality, diversity, and anti-racism. The Sbarduno scheme is an example of how we put our strategy in place to ensure that Welsh and bilingual tertiary education is open to all regardless of background."