AQW 5904/17-22

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 27/07/2020
Answered On Date: 24/08/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs what percentage of (i) all staff; and (ii) staff at Grade 5 and above, working in his Department have completed anti-racism training; and how often this training is updated.

Answer:

In 2017 Unconscious Bias training, which includes anti-racism, was introduced to the NICS. Initial classroom based training was provided to SCS staff with 22 DAERA SCS staff completing the training. In July 2017 Unconscious Bias e-learning training was made available to all other staff and rolled out on a mandatory basis for line managers up to Grade 6 level. To date 1487 DAERA staff in grades below SCS level have completed this package.

NICSHR diversity and inclusion training courses are reviewed and updated periodically. Reviews scheduled for 2020/21 are underway.