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The importance of workplace safety cannot be understated. The Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission, or WSCC, works to emphasize this message in many ways, like through partnerships with organizations that share similar audiences and values.

One such organization is Skills Canada Northwest Territories, which the WSCC has an ongoing, multi-year partnership with. Their recent territorial Skills Competition and Career Expo provided an opportunity for direct engagement with NWT youth.

As part of the Career Expo, the WSCC hosted a Try-A-Trade activity, which enabled Yellowknife, Ndilo, and Behchokǫ̀ high school students to experience what it is like to be a safety officer and conduct a mock inspection. Students were taught how to properly use personal protective equipment and how to identify hazards in the workplace. Students observed a traditional workplace with a beading station and an area for blocking hides as part of the activity. The WSCC helped students observe the workplace and identify areas where potential hazards could occur.

Students also learned about their three safety rights as workers: the right to know; the right to participate; the right to refuse; and, who to talk to about safety in the workplace.

Over 250 high school students participated in WSCC’s Try-A-Trade activity, and they were curious, engaged, and excited to participate. Many students recommended their friends try the activity on the second day.

The WSCC also helped organize the Workplace Safety territorial competition.
Participants were tasked with completing an inspection of a mock warehouse, observing other skills competitions and identifying hazards and controls, and researching a safety issue and delivering a Toolbox Talk. Yellowknife’s competitor, Liam Miller, worked hard and was rewarded with the gold medal in Workplace Safety for their efforts. Liam moved on to the National Skills Canada competition and represented the Northwest Territories.

The WSCC’s partnership with Skills Canada Northwest Territories continues to target the young worker demographic since youth tend to be newer to the workforce and less experienced. Due to these factors, they can take more unnecessary risks and feel pressure to impress their employers, making them more vulnerable to injury risk. By supporting this important event and organization, young workers can learn about their worker rights, how to use them, learn and experience what workplace safety looks like, and get valuable safety information. The WSCC offers a free Young Worker Safety Certificate Course, an online program that provides general safety certification.

Skills Canada Northwest Territories promotes careers in skilled trades and technology, within workplaces that often present more hazards. By promoting workplace safety and reminding all participants and organizers of its importance in all workplaces, we hope to foster even safer workplaces for our youngest workers.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.