INITIATIVES FOR YOUNG WORKERS

Labour Minister Joanne Crofford today announced a number of

initiatives to help young workers better prepare for their entry into

the workforce.



"I think we all recognize that first experiences often shape a

person's attitudes and behaviour for the rest of their lives,"

Crofford said. "That's as true in the workplace as it is with

everything else. We know that young workers experience higher rates

of injuries and have more workplace problems than do other workers.

Proper preparation can help ensure they have positive and safe

first-time work experiences."



Crofford announced the Are You Ready for Work? initiatives to provide

young and new workers with more information and training to better

prepare them for the workplace. The initiatives include:



wallet-size booklets containing key questions about health and

safety, and working conditions, which young or new workers can

ask their employers;



an interactive CD-ROM on occupational health and safety;



a $30,000 grant to the Saskatchewan Safety Council to expand its

Farm Safety Team;



the development of resources for use by Saskatchewan Institute of

Applied Science and Technology (SIAST) certificate, diploma and

Adult Basic Education students; and,



the development of resources for the Practical and Applied

Arts curriculum for high school students.



Total cost of the Are You Ready for Work? initiatives is $65,000.



"Clearly, we need to increase our efforts to reach young people

both before and after they enter the workplace," Crofford said.

"We need to decrease the number of injuries and other workplace

problems. We need to work together to ensure we all can enjoy

the benefits of safe, fair and productive workplaces. I am

confident the Are You Ready For Work? initiatives will help us

achieve these goals."



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For more information, contact:



Carol Todd

Saskatchewan Labour

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-4156



Visit the Saskatchewan Labour website at www.labour.gov.sk.ca