Welsh language - a valuable skill for work

In Wales, being able to speak Welsh can give you an advantage when applying for jobs.

Whether you're fluent, learning, or just starting out, your Welsh language skills can help you stand out and access more opportunities. Being bilingual gives you opportunities in your career and socially.

Welsh in the workplace

Welsh is not just a language for school or at home. Like teamwork, communication and attention to detail, speaking Welsh is a very important skill for work. Some jobs in Wales will ask for Welsh as an essential or desirable skill.

'Welsh language' was asked for as a top common skill in 43% of job postings in Wales. That's over 30,000 jobs 

(Lightcast, April 2023-2025)

Some of employers asking for Welsh language skills in job postings included:

• BBC
• Cardiff University
• HM Revenue & Customs
• ITV
• National Health Service (NHS)
• Welsh Government
• Welsh Water

Many employers value speaking Welsh, especially in some key sectors in Wales where communicating with others is vital, like:

• Health and social care
• Education
• Public services like local councils, government departments and the Police

Even if Welsh isn't essential, many employers prefer candidates who can speak or understand the language. These include:

• Administration
• Customer service
• Media and marketing
• Sales and retail

• Tourism and hospitality

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Welsh skills and your CV

Being bilingual is a great skill to add to your CV and any job application.

If you’re looking for jobs in Wales, highlighting your bilingual skills (or your willingness to learn) could make a real difference. You could describe your skills as:

• Fluent Welsh speaker – able to operate fully bilingually in the workplace, including written correspondence and formal communication
• Confident Welsh speaker – able to deal with general public enquiries in Welsh, both spoken and written
• Can hold everyday conversations - able to and handle basic written and verbal communication in a work context
• Can follow simple conversations - able to respond to routine enquiries with support
• Basic Welsh – able to understand and use simple phrases, currently developing listening and speaking skills

• Beginner - Currently learning Welsh – basic understanding of common phrases and greetings

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Benefits of being bilingual

Whether Welsh is a requirement or an added bonus, more and more employers across Wales see bilingualism as an important skills asset for their employees to have.

Investing in your Welsh skills can lead to greater career prospects, more meaningful work, and a stronger connection to the culture of Wales.

If you are a second Welsh language speaker or are still learning, many employers support staff with their learning. Find out more about the support available on the Learn Welsh website.

Take a look at the benefits of bilingualism in work and social settings.

Cymraeg 2050

The Welsh Government has a target to get 1 million people being able to speak Welsh by 2050. This might mean an increase in the number of people who will want to access services in Welsh, creating job opportunities where Welsh language skills are needed.

Most public sector organisations in Wales have to offer their services in Welsh and English equally. Many other organisations in the private and third sector are also encouraged to embrace bilingualism and offer services in Welsh in Wales.

Unlock your potential with Welsh

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