The VITS' Good Corporate Citizen Program

VITS LanguageLink plays a crucial role in the Victorian community and as such, we have a responsibility to contribute using the fundamentals of what we do best - innovate and develop the industry.

VITS is the ONLY language service provider in Australia that has a Good Corporate Citizen Program that directs valuable resources, both financial and non-financial to initiatives that make positive contributions to our culturally and linguistically diverse community. This ensures that language services, as a profession, is an integral part of our service to the community, both in the public and private sectors.

The GCCP, introduced back in 2000, has achieved much success due to the level of investment dedicated to the program.

Each year, VITS contributes 20% of its net profit towards the program with close to $1.1 million dollars invested to date..

Since its inception, the GCCP has delivered a number of tailored projects for our clients, all designed to provide further support and education on the profession to serve the Victorian CALD community more effectively.

Good Corporate Citizen Program initiatives launched to date include:

• 'Working with Interpreters' Training CD-ROM
  • VITS LanguageLink developed an Interactive training CD-ROM designed to guide the viewer through a 30 minute audiovisual training session on 'Working with Interpreters'. The CD is suitable for all professional services to CALD communities

• Multilingual Legal Glossary
  • VITS LanguageLink developed a Multilingual Legal Glossary in 15 languages for its clients and contractors enabling them to have a better understanding of terminology specific to this discipline. Over 5000 copies were printed and distributed free of charge to VITS Interpreters and Translators, Victorian Public Service bilingual staff, AUSIT members and all Victorian libraries, 100% funded by the GCCP

• Interpreter Kiosks
  • Exclusive to VITS, this initiative has been developed to provide the presence of an interpreter from Melbourne for rural areas using the latest technology for requests requiring an interpreter in a language not services by the pool of local interpreters.

• Industry Research Projects
  • VITS undertakes research projects part of it's GCCP to gain a better understanding of the industry, the professionals that work within it and potential issues faced. Recent projects included:
    • Qualifications, Incentives and Barriers: Research into the complexities faced by practioners in regards to professionalisation.
    • Self-Regulation for Interpreters and Translators: Research into the language services market and its operation addressing professional development, the promotion of good practice, etc

• Free On-Site Training: Working with Interpreters (Current)
  • Part of the GCCP for 07/08, VITS is offering its clients a free on-site training workshop for 'Working with Interpreters' with our highly qualified and experienced trainers. This is designed to help organisations service CALD clients more effectively and the understanding the interpreters' role within the setting.