Gibraltar launches first British Sign Language interpreter course
Summary
Gibraltar's Ministry of Equality has launched its first British Sign Language interpreter training course. BSL was recognised as an official language in Gibraltar in 2022, and the five-year course delivered by Sign Code UK will train eight selected candidates through Levels 1-6 to become qualified interpreters. Currently no Level 6-qualified BSL interpreters are resident in Gibraltar.
What changed
The Ministry of Equality has announced a new British Sign Language interpreter training program to address a gap in local interpretation services. Eight candidates were selected through a rigorous process including screening and interviews to begin training that will progress through Level 1-6 qualifications over approximately five years. The course is structured annually, with Levels 1-2 in year one, Level 3 in year two, Level 3 Professional in year three, and Levels 4-6 in years four and five.
This is an informational announcement with no immediate compliance obligations for external parties. The initiative aims to ensure d/Deaf persons in Gibraltar can exercise their basic human right to communicate through qualified local interpreters. The program complements the recent launch of Convo, another accessibility measure announced by the Ministry.
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April 02, 2026
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The Ministry of Equality has this week launched its first British Sign Language (BSL) course.
BSL was recognised as an official language in Gibraltar in 2022 and as such, it is important that measures are in place to support persons who are d/Deaf.
The purpose of this course is to train fully qualified interpreters locally. In order to work as a BSL interpreter, people need to be accredited with Level 6. Although there are already many people in our community that have successfully completed Levels 1 and 2 that cover basic conversational skills, at present there are no BSL interpreters with Level 6 qualification resident in Gibraltar.
The course is being delivered by Sign Code UK and is scheduled to run for around 5 years. The successful applicants will be completing their Levels 1 and 2 during the first year, Level 3 the second year, Level 3 Professional the third year and Levels 4 - 6 during the fourth and fifth year. Moving through these qualifications, students will improve their signing, and the training provides a clear, step-by-step path to help communicate better within the d/Deaf community and open new career opportunities.
Shortlisted applicants went through an in-depth interview stage where their communication skills, motivation and potential to benefit from and contribute to the course were thoroughly assessed.
Eight candidates have been chosen to commence the BSL course after the rigorous and highly detailed selection process that included care screening of applicants to ensure a genuine interest, commitment and suitability for the programme.
Minister for Equality, Employment, Culture and Tourism, the Hon Christian Santos GMD MP, said: “I am thrilled to have launched this as it is imperative to have BSL interpreters locally. BSL is not just something that persons who are d/Deaf want, it is something that they need. It is a basic human right to be able to have a conversation with someone. This course, together with the launch of Convo which we announced a few weeks ago, will serve to improve the lives of persons who are d/Deaf.”
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