This was the first in-depth research into the Gaelic Labour Market in Scotland. The primary aim of the research study, entitled “Measuring the Gaelic Labour Market: Current and Future Potential”, was to provide a baseline position in relation to the use and demand for Gaelic language skills within the labour market in Scotland.
 
It was important at the outset of the research to adopt a working definition of the ‘Gaelic labour market’. A ‘labour market’ is essentially an abstract analytical concept used to understand patterns of labour market participation and demand pertaining to economic activity. Traditionally a labour market involves a geographical dimension; however, the concept can also be applied to flows of skills and skill-sets required for types of economic activity. In the context of this study, a Gaelic labour market arises when employers pay for Gaelic-speaking, reading and/or writing labour services.
 
These are specialised skills and the market demand for these human skills is fragmented, with a wide geographic distribution and not pertaining to one kind of economic activity or economic sector. For this research study the concept of the ‘Gaelic labour market’ has been defined as, “the market for which knowledge of the Gaelic language is a condition of employment”. This market includes labour employed in organisations – commonly referred to as ‘Gaelicessential/ desirable’ employment – as well as labour that provides Gaelic language services on a self-employed and/or on a contract basis.