Powys council launches Welsh recruitment IT

Powys county council has set up a Welsh language recruitment system that is integrated into its HR and payroll operations. The council has provided website information for recruitment in Welsh since March 2010 and took the new system live in April of this year. It enables users to search the website for job openings, read recruitment information and apply for roles in Welsh, in line with the council's Welsh Language Scheme. It has used a customised version of MidlandHR's iTrent web platform for talent management, workforce planning, HR and payroll. Sue Harris, transactions and systems manager at Powys council, said: "We've already seen processing costs reduced across the business performance unit and are on target to exceed identified savings across advertising, application requests, applicant interviews and appointments, shortlists, payroll and leaver processes. Central recruitment has reduced administrative tasks such as telephone calls, emails and issuing of manual application packs by a further 10 hours per week." A second phase is due to go live in the autumn, in which managers will be able to enter interview dates and times and candidate assessment forms, and to make offers in Welsh. All of the processing will be done in English, but the public interfaces will be bilingual. Meirion Prys Jones, chief executive of the Welsh Language Board, said: "The council is to be congratulated for introducing this online service that allows the public to apply for posts entirely through the medium of Welsh. Technology is now used to provide an extensive range of the public services that we use and the Welsh language must have its rightful place within this field if we are to succeed in realising the government's vision of a truly bilingual Wales." This article is published by Guardian Professional. For weekly updates of news, debate and best practice on public sector IT, join the Government Computing Network here .