YOUNG WORKERS MUST HAVE CERTIFICATE BEGINNING MARCH 31

Students at Balfour Collegiate had a chance to learn more about the on-line Young Worker Readiness Certificate Course (YWRCC) this afternoon.

Approximately 50 students took a virtual tour of the site during an event in the school's Resources Room. The YWRCC was designed to prepare young people for work, teach them their rights in the workplace, and provide occupational health and safety information.

"The government is committed to protecting and educating young workers," Advanced Education, Employment and Labour Minister Rob Norris said. "The information presented in the course helps to prepare young people as they enter the workforce and begin to gain valuable work and life experience."

Beginning on March 31, young Saskatchewan workers aged 14 and 15 must successfully complete the course, print out a certificate of completion and have their parent or guardian sign the certificate in order to be allowed to work. Employers will also be required to keep a copy of a certificate in their files for each of their 14- and 15-year-old employees.

"We are excited about the initial response to the on-line course," Norris said. "Since the site was launched a few weeks ago, there have been more than 1,100 visitors, and we expect even more as the date to complete the course approaches."

Completion of the course is one of four requirements set out in the Minimum Age legislation that was introduced last summer. Young workers under the age of 16 must also have the consent of their parent or guardian; are not allowed to work after 10 p.m. on a day preceding a school day or before the time that school starts in the morning; and can not work more than 16 hours during a school week.

Current legislation continues to restrict the employment of young people in casinos and in the sale, handling or service of alcohol, during school hours and in certain high-risk occupations.

To find out more about Saskatchewan's employment standards, call 1-800-667-1783 or visit http://www.aeel.gov.sk.ca/ywrcc.

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For more information, contact:

Jennifer Veri
Advanced Education, Employment and Labour
Regina
Phone: 306-787-1331
Email: jennifer.veri@gov.sk.ca