Key Sentence:
- Prisons are struggling to recruit enough staff as job openings increase, unions say.
- This came as job openings rose to a record high on Christmas Eve, according to tenants.
Driving instructors, prison staff, and forklift drivers are some of the most sought-after jobs, says the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC). Meanwhile, demand for construction rollers declined due to supply chain problems.
According to REC data, prisons were among the most employing employers in late October and early November. With ads for prison staff increasing 13%. The Prison Workers’ Union (POA) says prisons face serious recruitment difficulties. “Employees voted with their feet and left,” said the POA’s deputy secretary-general, Mick Pimblet, after a recent salary review.
Prison services were “close to the limit” on Christmas Eve, he added. The POA cites the example of Berwyn Prison in North Wales – 134 prison workers have left prison in the past three months. Pimblet said it increased among prisoners and violence against prison staff following the lifting of restrictions on associating with coronavirus prisoners.
As the coronation court is reprocessing the case after the delay due to the coronavirus lockdown. And the convicted person, the number of prisoners is busy, which adds to the pressure on the system, he said.
A spokesman for the HM Prison Service said, “Vacancy at the mansion has been stable for six months. And those figures include staff recruitment at our new HMP Five Wells Prison, which opened in the New Year.”
In October, HM Prison Service announced that all employees earning less than £24,000 will receive a £250 increase. In addition.
All employees who have not yet reached their peak salary will continue to receive progressive payments of up to 5%.
According to REC data, job openings for driving instructors rose the most, increasing by about a third. A REC spokesman said continued pandemic demand for driving lessons and testing was likely responsible for the spike.
Karen Bransgrove, general manager of the Driving Instructors Association (DIA), said she had never seen another ad, but there was a massive demand for tests and lessons. “There’s been a huge backlog on testing,” he said, adding that people can’t learn to drive for 18 months during the pandemic. So “there’s a lag in demand.” He said the number of coaches is also reduced.
“Many people are retiring early or leaving driver training because of the pandemic,” said Ms. Bransgrove. Loveday Ryder, executive director of the Vehicle Management and Standards Agency (DVSA). Said he was doing “everything we could” to run as many tests as possible to get service back to normal.
“I know students want to take the exam now, but the important thing is that candidates are well prepared and not rushed,” he said. “Because more than half of the candidates fail and the current exam requirements are very high. Students should only take the exam if they believe they can pass.” This will prevent further test backlogs and long waiting times for new tests.