APPLICANTS looking to secure a job with the Welsh Government will soon have to have a basic level of Welsh language skills, it has been announced. As part of their efforts to increase the number of Welsh speakers over the coming years, all applicants for government jobs will have to demonstrate a “courtesy” level of the language skill – either at the time of interview, or within six months of employment. The requirement calls for people to be able to answer the phone bilingually, and speak and understand basic words and phrases. It comes as the government hopes to grow the number of Welsh speakers to one million.