WorkSafe has launched a new program to help Victoria’s students learn how to use the skills they need to stay safe in their first jobs.
Entitled WorkSafe 101 for High Schools, the program is free, interactive and aimed at helping prepare students in Years 9 to 12 enter their workforce safely.
According to WorkSafe, the program is designed with input from teachers and career practitioners and includes e-learning modules and videos with examples from workplaces where young people are commonly employed.
WorkSafe Executive Director Health and Safety, Narelle Beer said WorkSafe 101 was now available to all schools across Victoria after 230 Year 9 Braybrook College students became the first to complete the program in December last year.
“This is the age when many young people are starting a part-time job or moving from school to the workforce,” Dr Beer said, “we owe it to young workers to give them the knowledge to work safely and the confidence to speak up when something doesn’t feel right.”
“Our research shows young workers are more likely to accept unsafe work conditions and less likely to raise safety concerns or to report issues when they do occur,” she said, “due to lack of knowledge, experience and awareness about Occupational Health and Safety.”
“Starting your first job is a huge milestone and a reason for young workers and their families to feel proud. Sadly, too many young workers soon find that celebration turns to tragedy.”
Careers teacher at Braybrook College, Rowena Archer said her students had embraced the program and seemed to enjoy the tasks, which she said are suited to students from Year 9 through to Year 12 and accessible for culturally and linguistically diverse students (CALD) and students with disabilities.
“The topics were appropriate for what young workers need to know about, and I really liked that bullying content was included, along with other mental health hazards,” Ms Archer said.
“We hope that this will help empower students with the skills to be able to say ‘that doesn’t look right’ and to query what’s actually going on in the workplace,” she said.
Further information about the program can be accessed at this PS News link.
