Youth Retention and Attraction Strategy Responds to the Need for Safer Workplaces

Through the Youth Retention and Attraction Strategy, the Provincial Government has committed $80,000 over the next three years to increase young people's awareness about on-the-job safety through the Passport to Safety program.

"This investment was made in response to feedback from many young people who said making workplaces safer and healthier was one of their priorities," said the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment and Minister Responsible for Youth Engagement. "The Provincial Government shares their commitment to accident prevention, and we feel that making the Passport to Safety online resource freely available to young Newfoundlanders and Labradorians will contribute significantly towards building a stronger safety culture within the province."
Passport to Safety is a national health and safety awareness program developed by Safe Communities Canada that aims to revolutionize thinking among youth about on-the-job safety. The week of May 2 is North American Occupational Safety and Health Week and provides a great opportunity to highlight that through Passport to Safety young people can complete an on-line safety test that will help them build their workplace safety knowledge, as well as their confidence in recognizing unsafe work environments and exercising their rights and responsibilities at work. After completing the program, youth will earn a certificate that they can attach to their resumes. Passport to Safety is intended to become a foundation on which youth can build all the other essentials required to be safer and healthier workers.
The Passport to Safety program will be available to high-school aged youth in Newfoundland and Labrador throughout the 2010-11 to 2011-12 period. Young people can access the program by visiting //www.passporttosafety.com/nl where they can sign up for an account.

"It is important our high school students understand not only the importance of safety in the classroom, but on work sites as well," said the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Education. "Many students will require these skills in part-time or summer jobs, in post-secondary education and in their future careers. Having safe work skills and knowledge under their belts will mean improved safety for everyone."

"Teaching safe work practices is something that must start at a young age," said the Honourable Kevin O'Brien, Minister of Government Services. "Through activities conducted by our Occupational Health and Safety Branch, we have found time and time again that those who learn to work with safety in mind early in life are more safety conscious on the job. As future workers or employers, they will have a greater appreciation and understanding of the importance of health and safety and they will help promote a culture of safety throughout their workplace or job site. The Passport to Safety program is an excellent resource and I am pleased that this program will be available so easily to all our high school students."

"Our core concept of offering a safety certificate for young people has worked very well throughout Canada with respect to motivating young people to learn about workplace safety," said Paul Kells, President of Safe Communities Canada. "Without Provincial Government support, students would incur a cost. I look forward to seeing these young people make their workplaces safer so that everyone can return home healthy at the end of each day."

Creating A Province of Choice: A Youth Retention and Attraction Strategy for Newfoundland and Labrador was launched on November 5, 2009. Developed by youth, for youth, in close collaboration with business, labour, and community leaders, the strategy is supported by a three-year $15 million budget and contains 41 action items that are aimed at countering the impacts of out-migration, strengthening the labour market and supporting the economic development of the province.

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2010 05 06                         2:50 p.m.