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New Welsh Language Commissioner announced

20 Oct 2022 2 minute read
New Welsh Language Commissioner Efa Gruffudd Jones. Picture: Welsh Government.

The First Minister has announced the appointment of Efa Gruffudd Jones as Welsh Language Commissioner.

She will take up the position in January 2023, taking over the role from the late Aled Roberts.

The Commissioner has an important role to play in increasing the provision of services in Welsh and the use of the language and upholding the rights of Welsh speakers.

Efa Gruffudd Jones is currently the chief executive of the National Centre for Learning Welsh.

The centre is responsible for all aspects of learning Welsh from the curriculum and course development to resources for tutors, research, marketing and digital learning.

An independent selection panel recommended that Efa has the skills, experiences, and credibility to be appointed Welsh Language Commissioner.

This view was endorsed by the Senedd’s Culture, Communications, Welsh language, Sport and International Relations Committee.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “I congratulate Efa on her appointment as the Welsh Language Commissioner. The language has been central to Efa’s career – both as chief executive of the National Centre for Learning Welsh and as chief executive of the Urdd.

“She comes to the post with years of experience of working for the benefit of the Welsh language and of working with Welsh speakers and learners across Wales.”

Minister for Education and the Welsh Language, Jeremy Miles said: “I am delighted to welcome Efa to her new role as Welsh Language Commissioner. We have ambitious aims to increase not only the number of Welsh speakers but also the everyday use of Welsh.

“The Commissioner’s role in working to increase the use of Welsh and Welsh language services is an important part of us achieving this target, and I look forward to working closely with Efa on this.”

Efa Gruffudd Jones said: “It will be a privilege to be the Welsh Language Commissioner, and an honour to follow in Aled Roberts’ footsteps. I want to see a Wales where people can enjoy using Welsh every day.

“I look forward to doing all I can to ensure that the Welsh language, our national treasure, belongs to all.”

 


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David Thomas
David Thomas
1 year ago

She will have a job on with Burry Port and Pembrey town council who have prohibited the use of the Welsh language despite having the same financial allocation as neighbouring Llanelli and Cydweli town councils.
This is despite them having a bilingual policy since 2003. Labour councillor complained recently about lack of Welsh, likewise Plaid councillor.

hdavies15
hdavies15
1 year ago

Best of luck to her. While I’m sure that her “soft skills” will be of great value I hope that she also brings some more hard nosed attributes to her game plan as there are a variety of bodies in both private and public sectors who choose to neglect or even ignore basic rights to use Y Gymraeg. After all it is the first language for many of us.

Rhufawn Jones
Rhufawn Jones
1 year ago

O diar

Dr John Ball
Dr John Ball
1 year ago

Llongyfarchiadau!
Merch bach o Abertawe!!!!

Frank
Frank
1 year ago

She had better serve the language well considering her salary of £95,000 p. a.

hdavies15
hdavies15
1 year ago
Reply to  Frank

Who needs private businesses when there’s gravy like that in the public sector?

Gill Jones
Gill Jones
1 year ago

I would question her longevity as she has a history of hopping from one gravy train to another – this will be another of her stepping stones to further her political aspirations collecting gongs on the way. What is most disturbing is how she was publicly hailed as the ‘preferred’ candidate by WG prior to her ‘appointment’ – drwg yn y caws yn rhywle! One thing is for certain, she will never fill her predcessor’s moral shoes.

Richard Morse
Richard Morse
1 year ago
Reply to  Gill Jones

Meanwhile her successor is already being lined and promoted by puff pieces in the media. But will she be able to deal with the mess that’s been left behind by Mrs Jones. Here are some of the highlights. A shambolic website with a design that a year 9 IT pupil would be embarassed by. If you want to see how a Celtic language learning website should look compare it with learngaelic.scot or oideas-gael.com . The incompetent managing of the Duolingo course culminating in the present farcical position of nearly all of the 17,000 registered users having coursebooks which actually promote… Read more »

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