Preparing officers for the role ahead
Preparing officers for the role ahead
Learning at Serco starts on day one. In our Immigration and Justice sectors, new officers are prepared for the role ahead with an intensive training program, which gives them the skills to do their job safely and confidently and provides them with a recognised qualification. Their skills are kept up to date with regular refresher training throughout their employment with Serco.
Justice
Dependant on the role, our justice sector provides a 6-12 week Initial Training Course (ITC) for all new Officers, which covers all facets of working in our justice contracts, such as: security, custodial legislation, communications and technology, defensive equipment tactical training, control and restraint, effective intervention, health and safety, First Aid, Mental Health First Aid, suicide awareness, cultural awareness and fire response.
After graduating the Initial Training Course (ITC), our Officers work to attain a qualification in Correctional Practice within the first 12 months of their employment.
Immigration
All new Detainee Service Officers attend a five week intensive Initial Training Course (ITC), delivered by Serco Trainers, which ensures they have the skills and knowledge to meet the standards set by our customer, the Australian Border Force (ABF).
The course includes detainee management, cultural awareness, psychological support, de-escalation techniques, and control and restraint, as well as an ABF workshop, first aid and resuscitation training. Successful completion of the course leads to the attainment of a qualification in security contextualised to the Immigration detention environment and an Apply First Aid qualification. The skills learnt on the course are refreshed by Serco-delivered training each year.
Daniel
“The training course exceeded my expectations by a mile. It was delivered by very competent trainers, who used a vast variety of learning tools and ‘on ground’ practical training to ensure maximum preparation before hitting the ground. Personally, I was surprised by the intensity of the role play scenarios and assessments which ensured that I was using correct communication and intervention methods. I really enjoyed that a normal day could involve a vast variety of tasks including fitness sessions, training by psychologists, emergency response professionals and theory, ensuring that there is no time to get bored.”
Arvindra
“The training taught us how to contribute to the safe, secure and efficient operation of a prison and the custody of the prisoners. I have come to understand why different types of crime are committed and how rehabilitation ensures community safety. The support from each individual and the knowledge we gained during training was amazing.”
Shomal
“I wanted to become a Prison Officer so that I could be able to make a difference in someone’s life and help them rehabilitate. As part of the training I completed two weeks of shadowing where I got to see what the role was about. Learning about the Corrections Act and how to deal with difficult situations helped prepare me and gave me confidence in my role.”