A total of 81 new teaching posts created for region

Sean McMahon

Chief Executive John Kearney announced to a recent board meeting that Cavan Monaghan ETB will be employing an additional 81 teachers across the two counties from the new college term.

Mr Kearney told the Monaghan Town meeting that from an executive point of view it is important that there is strong leadership in their schools and that the schools can be progressive.
“This year we have been rewarded for taking on the reform of the Junior Certificate Cycle and being the only school type to do that in the country for the last two years – that enabled us to have a number of additional teaching posts.â€
He revealed that enrollments are on an upwards curve, and they were in the position this year to advertise for those 81 teaching posts.
“I also want to acknowledge the work of the HR Department – this year we introduced competency interviews and this was a learning curve that we embraced in a wholehearted manner with a view to getting the very best teachers for our students in Cavan and Monaghan,†he said.
Mr Kearney also thanked the board members who were involved in attending the competency based training and displaying the new skills for the interviews.
“It is our first year co-ordinating such a process and it has gone very well and it has been a steep learning curse – we will continue to make improvements for next year,†he said. An additional 55 positions, which have to be renewed each year, were also retained. They include 28 special needs assistants, personal assistants, student support workers, and there is also a caretaker position to be filled. They are currently being advertised.

Further education and training

As part of the ‘Transfer of Training' function to Cavan Monaghan ETB, the board established an electrical apprenticeship about 18 months ago. Following delivery of that apprenticeship, three electrical instructor posts have been sanctioned.
“Progress is being expedited with a view to having a second electrical programme up and running in Monaghan Institute,†said Mr Kearney.
“This has been a great achievement for the organisation and a very steep learning curve in a very short period of time.â€
In conjunction with the apprenticeships, there will be administrative posts coming on stream and they will be advertised shortly.