The employees of the department of youth services shall be governed by the personnel merit system rules and regulations of the state personnel department. Employees of institutions and agencies which are transferred to the department under the provisions of this chapter, who have been so employed for six months immediately preceding such date, shall remain in their respective employments and shall be considered to meet the requirements of the department in terms of training and experience; but nothing herein shall be construed to prevent or preclude the removal of an employee for cause in the manner provided by law.