The Provincial Government and WorkplaceNL launched a new Young Worker Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Course today at Waterford Valley High in St. John’s.
Developed in collaboration with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and Bluedrop Performance Learning, the online course will better prepare young workers as they enter the workforce by helping them understand health and safety principles and practices. Starting this academic year, the Young Worker OHS Course will be incorporated into the Career Development 2201 curriculum, meaning that every graduating high school student will have the opportunity to take the course.
The Young Worker OHS Course is interactive, self-directed, easy to navigate and appeals to the needs of young learners. It takes approximately 2.5 hours to complete and learners will receive an online certificate when all five modules have been completed.
Supporting education delivers on commitments in The Way Forward to strengthen the province’s economic foundation and deliver better services and better outcomes for residents. The Way Forward outlines all actions the Provincial Government is taking to achieve a strong, diversified province with a high standard of living, and can be viewed at www.thewayforward.gov.nl.ca.
Quotes
“The high school setting is an excellent forum to empower students for life in the workforce and to ensure they gain valuable health and safety education. The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is pleased to partner with WorkplaceNL on this initiative, adding this important element to enhance the Career Development course currently offered throughout the province.”
Honourable Al Hawkins
Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development
“It is important that young workers are aware of workplace safety roles and responsibilities early in their careers. Courses like this one help them enter the workforce safety aware, while also understanding the risks they may face.”
Honourable Sherry Gambin-Walsh
Minister of Service NL
“We are very excited to launch the Young Worker OHS Course today. Going forward, this course will help generations of young workers enter the workforce with a solid understanding of safe work practices. We also encourage employers across the province to offer the course to new and young employees as part of their existing health and safety or orientation programs.”
Dennis Hogan, CEO
WorkplaceNL
“The safety of young workers is of extreme importance. I’m pleased to see this course being announced in the district of Waterford Valley, where we have a high number of dedicated young workers. This course will provide a remarkable opportunity to advance their level of education and understanding of the importance of safety principles and practices. I encourage all young workers and employers to avail of the Young Worker Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Course, developed by WorkplaceNL and the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, as part of their existing orientation programs to safeguard and grow positive outcomes.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Finance and MHA for Waterford Valley
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Media contacts
Tina Coffey
Education and Early Childhood Development
709-729-1906, 728-8650
tcoffey@gov.nl.ca
Krista Dalton
Service NL
709-729-4748, 685-6492
kristadalton@gov.nl.ca
Carla Riggs
Workplace NL
709-778-1590
carla.riggs@workplacenl.ca
Susan Elliott
Executive Assistant to
Honourable Tom Osborne, MHA for Waterford Valley
709-729-3811
elliotts@gov.nl.ca