In June 2024, DA Languages paid a visit to the International Women’s Group in Glasgow to speak to a group of women about careers in the languages industry.
Background
International Women’s Group is an organisation aimed at supporting women to build skills and confidence to become active citizens through education, employment, volunteering and leadership.
Regular free sessions run by the organisation include English language classes, IT classes, money management classes, social events and more.
Many of the women it serves are refugees looking to find ways to settle in an unfamiliar country. The International Women’s Group welcomes all women to these events to support them with community integration as well as initiatives that support with finding pathways into employment and to building wider support networks.
Action
DA Languages’ Head of Sustainability and ESG Charlotte Gascoyne along with Sustainability and ESG Engagement Officer Jessica Jarrold attended an event at the organisation’s Glasgow centre as guest speakers.
They delivered a presentation that shared insight about the languages industry and the types of roles that language speakers undertake within this sector. They also suggested ways for gaining relevant experience and qualifications, as well as how to discover opportunities for work as a freelance language professional.
As part of our work in giving back to the communities we serve, Dals aims to continue working with the International Women’s Group in helping women get into the language industry field.
Impact
The session introduced attendees to a field of work built on a skill they already possess, namely being able to speak a language other than English in an English-speaking country.
The event provided the women with vital insight into pathways to accessing paid work in the languages industry as well as guidance on obtaining qualifications and securing relevant experience. With this knowledge they can progress within the industry and have the confidence to register with Dals where they will use their skills to deliver language services.
By giving the attendees an introduction to supporting DA Languages as a freelance interpreter, they have a point of contact to progressing their interpreting career. In turn, DA Languages’ Glasgow-based pool of interpreters has the potential to grow, meaning even more limited English speakers can gain access to essential services.