I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that assignments to work and training posts in the Prison Service are made following the selection of suitable personnel identified through a competency based interview process.
In addition to the competency interview process, a number of Work and Training Officer (WTO) posts require the applicant to hold a formal qualification in a specialist area as part of the eligibility criteria. These specialist areas include construction, metal and joinery areas.
For general work and training posts, specific training is provided to the assigned Work and Training Officers in order to facilitate them in reaching an appropriate level of competency to perform their duty. This includes accredited training courses relative to the work training area such as the Certificate in Exercise and Health Fitness (CEHF) with University of Limerick for WTO Gym and the Professional Cookery Course for some WTOs in Catering. Furthermore, all Work and Training Officers are provided with an accredited Train the Trainer Course to develop their training skills.
The Work and Training area is reviewed regularly to ensure the work options available continue to meet the needs of prisoners and are relative to employment options in the community. The requirement for additional accredited training for staff forms part of those reviews relative to any change in work training options and/or health and safety requirements.
Work and Training Officers can seek to transfer to another work and training area. The transfer criteria includes a requirement for the Officer to have completed specific courses, a commitment to complete courses relevant to the new work area, and the duration of service in the work training area. There is no facility for a Work and Training Officer to move temporarily from one work area to another. However for instances where, for operational requirements such as where a vacancy exists within an essential work area, an Officer with the requisite competency to fulfil that role may be assigned to the area.
The Irish Prison Service continually monitors the staffing requirements and vacancies that arise as a result of multiple factors including mobility, promotions and retirements, and recruitment campaigns are put in place as required.
