USE: IMMEDIATE                                                                 ISSUED: Wednesday, 18 May 2005

A seminar is being held today (Wednesday 18^th May, 2005) at the Drumossie Hotel in Inverness to promote the career opportunities available in Gaelic.

Organised by The Highland Council and co-hosted by Careers Scotland and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), the seminar is aimed at careers advisers to ensure that they are aware of the increasing career options available now in Gaelic.

Catriona Eagle, Director of Careers Scotland (HIE Area) is chairing the event and speakers include: Allan Campbell, Chief Executive of Bòrd na Gàidhlig; Donnie MacDonald, Highland Council’s Head of Education, and D J MacLeod, Highland Council’s Quality Development Officer (Gaelic), who will be speaking about the strategic context of Gaelic in employment.

Discussing careers in education will be: Christina Walker, University of Aberdeen; Boyd Robertson, Strathclyde University; Donella Beaton, Cànan & Sabhal Mòr Ostaig (UHI); and for broadcasting and the arts Margaret Mary Murray, Gaelic Department, BBC Scotland; Donald Iain Brown, Managing Editor, Production Talent, BBC Scotland; and Malcolm MacLean, Pròiseact nan Ealan will be speaking.

Catriona Macintyre, Early Years and Childcare with The Highland Council will talk about careers in caring services and Alasdair MacLeod, Culture & Youth Development Manager with HIE will talk about economic and political development and Flora MacLean on Tourism.

Finally, Morag Anna MacLeod, Highland Council’s Gaelic Development Officer and Alastair McCallum with the Scottish Parliament will talk about careers in national and local government.

The seminar initially grew out of a request by Highland Council’s Gaelic Select Committee to help address the shortage of Gaelic Medium teachers.

Around thirty delegates are attending the seminar including 11 teachers from Highland and 2 from the Western Isles representing Culloden Academy; Plockton High School; Ardnamurchan High School; Gairloch High; Portree High School; Millburn Academy; Lochaber High School; Nicolson Institute; Inverness Royal Academy; Tain Royal Academy; Sgoil Lionacleit; Dingwall Academy; and Ullapool High School. The other delegates include representatives from Careers Scotland and ScottishJobs.com.

For further information please contact: D.J. MacLeod, Quality Development Officer, The Highland Council, Education, Culture and Sport Service, (01349) 868214

Date Last updated : 18/05/05