TAFE Queensland is to deliver a 12-week training course for members of the community interested in becoming interpreters in new and emerging languages.
There are 120 places available for the subsidised interpreter training program.
Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Leanne Linard said the Government had allocated $730,000 for the training course to help create job opportunities for people interested in becoming certified interpreters.
“I would encourage any Queenslander fluent in one of the priority languages who wants to undertake nationally-accredited interpreter training and pursue a career in this field to jump at this opportunity,” Ms Linard said.
“Interpreters are very important for those Queenslanders who are not proficient in English,” she said.
“There is no doubt we need more interpreters, across a wide range of languages, and I would encourage anyone considering a career as an interpreter to find out more.”
The Minister said the COVID-19 pandemic had demonstrated the urgent need for interpreters in new and emerging languages.
Director of Health, Community and Foundation Skills at TAFE, Karren Raper said TAFE had been successfully delivering online interpreter training since 2018.
“We’re looking forward to working with the Government to meet the demand for interpreting skills,” Ms Raper said.
She said the program delivered by TAFE was a 12-week online Interpreting Skills course endorsed by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters.
Ms Raper said a 20-week English Language Bridging Course would be offered to participants who needed extra support so they could participate in the next round of the Interpreting Skills course.
Information is available from this PS News link.
Applications close 21 March.
