Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship in Interpreting and Translation (Wales)

This framework is designed to meet the skills needs of employers of all sizes across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors in Wales.

Both interpreting and translation are fundamentally the exchange of meaning by a person (the interpreter or the translator) from one language into the target language. What is produced is the interpreter or translators’ understanding of the meaning of what was originally conveyed. However, the two terms should not be used interchangeably as they refer to two specific roles. Although the two disciplines are distinct in terms of their role and required skillset, and in terms of the practitioners operating in their roles, the basis of each is this paraphrasing of language. The two roles aim to help open up communications and situations for individuals and organisations either when there is not a shared or common language or when a particular group of individuals would not have access to a particular communication on account of language. Interpreters and Translators can go on to work across all industries and sector groups, and in public, private and third sector organisations.

There are two separate pathways within the Level 4 Apprenticeship in Interpreting and Translation to provide learners with an opportunity to develop their practice as a trainee interpreter or translator. This will assist learners to go on to a career in their chosen discipline and be able to progress to qualifications that will enable them to gain professional status.

The Apprenticeship has been designed for those in Trainee roles; candidates for this apprenticeship will require strong language skills in both the source and target languages (i.e. Welsh and English) and also have experience of interpreting or translation based activities. The apprenticeship is ideal for those who wish to seek recognition of these skills.