News

Students get lessons in “real world” workplace safety

Grade nine students throughout Manitoba had the opportunity Nov. 4 to learn about workplace safety as part of the annual national Take Our Kids to Work Day. This one-day job-shadowing experience offers students the chance to spend the day at work with a parent, relative or sponsor.  

“It’s never too early to start teaching tomorrow’s workforce about the importance of workplace safety,” says Nancy Allan, Minister of Education. “Youth represent our future leaders and employers and it’s vital that they understand their rights and responsibilities when it comes to safety.”  

As part of Take Our Kids to Work Day, 36 grade nine students job-shadowed staff at both the Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba (WCB) and Workplace Safety and Health Division (WSHD).

In addition to learning about the various careers at these organizations. students received workplace safety and health training and completed a fun and interactive safety quiz.  Students also completed the Health and Safety 101 e-learning course available online to all Manitoba youth at www.safemanitoba.com

“We put the ‘SAFE’ in Take Our Kids to Work Day to emphasize our commitment to workplace safety and health,” says Doug Sexsmith, the WCB’s President and CEO. “Our hope is that parents and employers will not only discuss safety issues with their children, but also set an example for them through their own safe work practices.”

SAFE Work is an injury and illness prevention strategy developed by the WCB and the Workplace Safety and Health Division. There are a number SAFE Work resources and training programs available for youth at http://www.safemanitoba.com.

One of those resources includes a new SAFE Student Resource Handbook, developed by SAFE Work and the SAFE Workers of Tomorrow. The handbook combines the readability of a comic book with health and safety information that every new worker should know.

Take Our Kids to Work Day is organized by the Learning Partnership, a national non-profit group dedicated to creating learning and career opportunities through collaboration with education, business and community organizations.