The NSW Government is injecting $7.5 million into Multilingual NSW to establish the new Multilingual NSW Academy for translators and interpreters. This initiative aims to bolster linguistic diversity and enhance government services, building on the 2024-25 Budget commitment. The academy will focus on the development and sustainability of translating and interpreting services across the state, providing essential skills to more than 1,000 language professionals who assist with government assignments.
The academy’s mission includes forging partnerships with leading training institutions, such as the University of New South Wales, Macquarie University, Western Sydney University, and TAFE NSW. These collaborations will help strengthen the digital capabilities of NSW’s language professionals, ensuring they can adapt to the evolving demands of technology while maintaining the high standard of service required for NSW Government projects.
One of the core pillars of the Multilingual NSW Academy is its emphasis on digital uplift. By incorporating new technologies and championing a customer-first approach, it aims to equip professionals with the tools needed to serve a multilingual population. This focus is backed by the Department of Customer Service’s drive for digital inclusivity.
At a recent event celebrating NSW’s translators and interpreters, three long-serving employees from Multicultural NSW were honoured for their 40 years of service. Polish translator Czeslaw Olechnowicz, Hindi interpreter Neena Sinha, and Thai translator and interpreter Songsri Foran each received medals recognising their unwavering commitment to their communities.
Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper highlighted the critical role that translators and interpreters play in NSW, stating, “They ensure that everyone in the state has access to vital information and services, which is why we’re investing in their development.” He emphasised that the government’s goal is to ensure language barriers no longer prevent the multicultural community from accessing essential services.
Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib reinforced this by underscoring the importance of digital transformation in the state’s multicultural framework. He noted that nearly one in three NSW residents was born overseas, with over 280 languages spoken in homes across the state. “This funding will help roll out new technologies to improve translation and interpreting services for our linguistically diverse communities,” he said.
This initiative is part of a broader strategy to ensure digital inclusivity and bridge gaps, with the NSW Government’s commitment to making the state a place where diversity and accessibility thrive.
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