Bilingual staff can be an important asset in the workforce – so why is it they are often the least understood language services 'tool', and poorly utilised?

Employees who agree to communicate in English and a language other than English, and are not qualified interpreters, are generally regarded as bilingual staff.

These workers can fill simple communication gaps when interacting with clients with low English proficiency. However, there are no universally accepted standards, qualifications or assessment measures for bilingual staff. The Backing your bilingual staff: tips from the field forum discussed initiatives to support bilingual staff communicating effectively in their language other than English.

Presenting agencies were;

• Office of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship: Leah Bramhill, Project Officer - set the scene on language services in Victoria and the legitimate place of bilingual staff
  Presenter notes - pdf
  Audio MP3

• Victoria University: Nadia Casarotto discussed the development of a Language Assistance curriculum in Victoria
  Audio MP3

• Heather Glass, President and Fellow - Western Australian Institute of Translators and Interpreters, presented the Western Australian experience of developing the skills of, and delivering training to, bilingual staff
  Presenter notes - pdf 
  
  
• Royal Women’s Hospital: Bridget O'Brien spoke on the learnings from their pilot project on the use of bilingual staff as Language Aides
  Presenter notes - pdf
  Audio file MP3

• and CEH Project Officer Spase Veljanovski launched updated tip sheets on effectively managing and recruiting bilingual staff
  Audio file MP3