NICEM aims to identify and respond to the needs of minority ethnic communities. One of the needs which has been identified is the provision of a high quality and standard of interpreting services for ethnic minorities in many areas including access to public services. One of the ways to ensure good quality provision and promote a high standard of interpreting in Northern Ireland is by offering accredited training so interpreters have the appropriate skills, are aware of the code of ethics and the proper role and responsibilities of a community interpreter.

CONNECT-NICEM supports continuing skills development for interpreters and in the longer term wishes to see interpreters working in Northern ireland to similar standards and levels of qualification as interpreters working across the UK.

However, this will only be possible through a programme of continuing skills development for interpreters, which CONNECT-NICEM will support and develop over the next number of years.

Basic Training for Interpreters

We offer training in Community interpreting accredited by the Open College Network Northern Ireland at level 3. This course is for bilingual people interested in working as community interpreters and those already working as community interpreters within and ethnic minority community organisation. Courses run at various times throughout the year throughout Northern Ireland.

This current programme of Community Interpreting is a first step in a series of interpreting training courses CONNECT-NICEM hopes to offer. The introductory course will be a pre-requisite for the further training courses. The further training courses will focus on specific areas of training such as interpreting within policing, courts service, prison service and probation.

Entry Criteria

Due to a high demand for the training places we can only accept applications from those who apply to be both on the register of interpreters and the training simultaneously.

Applications must have resided in the UK/ROI for the last three years in order to apply for security clearance. Security clearance is required for all applicants as a pre-requisite to the basic training course.

Applicants will need to demonstrate that they have good communication skills, spoken and written, both in English and their other language. As well as a good understanding of the needs of the communities they would be working with and sufficient time to commit to this course of study. This is assessed through English tests and an interview.

What does the course involve ?

The course usually runs once a week for 10/12 weeks and is held between office hours. Students will be awarded level 3 after the successful completion of written and practical coursework.

To receive an application pack please contact:

Sarah Maitland

Tel: (028)9023 8645

Email:s.maitland@nicem-interpreting.org.uk