AQW 49979/11-16 Written question to the Minister of Education
To ask the Minister of Education what opportunities for continual professional development exist for the non-formal education workforce.
Asked by Claire Sugden MLA on 20 October 2015
- Answered
- Written
- Tabled
- 20 October 2015
- Answer due by
- 4 November 2015
- Answered
- 4 November 201515 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of Education
- Priority question
- No
Answer
The Department of Education does not employ support staff who work in the education sector. The Education Authority (EA) employs the vast majority of the education sector support staff.
The EA has advised that professional development opportunities are provided for staff in various settings. The nature and type of professional development opportunity will be determined by the specific professional requirements of staff such as Education Welfare Officers, Educational Psychologists, Drivers etc.
In particular, training is provided where there is a statutory requirement in areas such as health and safety, child protection, food safety etc.
In-house training is also developed for a number of areas to meet service needs.