Page 1383 - Week 04 - Thursday, 12 April 2018

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In terms of the specifics, all of the women employed at the AMC bakery have completed, or are currently in the process of completing, training. Almost half of the women employed at the AMC bakery have successfully completed recognised units of competency, including work health and safety, using hygienic practices in food safety and numeracy foundation skills. The remaining women are in the process of completing these units.

As you can see by the very names of these units, they are the sorts of things that are applicable well beyond the specifics of baking. They could be applied in quite a few areas of the hospitality sector in particular.

MS CODY: Has feedback from those undertaking the bakery apprenticeships been provided? If so, what has the feedback been?

MR RATTENBURY: I have been in the fortunate position to have direct feedback from those working in the bakery during an onsite visit at the AMC. I have to say that it has overwhelmingly been very positive. The women have said to me that they really enjoy working in the bakery. It helps pass the time, which is an important consideration. It also gives them a real sense of purpose and pride in what they are doing.

I was particularly pleased to be at the AMC just before Easter, where the ladies were baking hot cross buns for the first time. They were providing them not only to everybody in the AMC over the Easter period but also providing some to Beryl Women’s Refuge as a way of supporting the community. The pride the ladies took in being able to contribute to the community in that way was very welcome.

MS ORR: Minister, is any other accredited training being offered? If so, what units are they?

MR RATTENBURY: One of my agendas as the minister is to ensure that we have a range of industries provided at the AMC, and corrective services are currently working on what other potential industries we can offer and, therefore, what other accreditation and trade training opportunities might be applied. Expanding employment industries is obviously very important for the rehabilitation program and having a broader range of skills available and different trades qualifications only enhances the opportunity for people to reintegrate into the community more effectively when they finish their period of incarceration.

Bimberi Youth Justice Centre—staffing

MS LEE: My question is to the Minister for Disability, Children and Youth. Minister, when you were asked last year if children had ever been kept in their rooms because of insufficient staffing at Bimberi, you replied, “On occasion young people are required to remain in their rooms for short periods for an operational lockdown to cover staff meetings, training and lunch breaks.” Minister, why did you not confirm then, as we know now, that children were indeed being kept in their rooms because of a lack of staff?


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