In a move to bolster workplace safety for high school students, the Alberta government has increased funding to SafeGen, a key program run by CAREERS: The Next Generation Foundation. This initiative is designed to provide essential health and safety training to young workers.
SafeGen has been awarded a $175,000 grant to enhance its educational offerings, which are crucial for both industry compliance and the educational institutions that oversee off-campus student work. This funding aims to lay a foundational knowledge of workplace safety for students, addressing the higher risks they face relative to other worker groups.
“Young workers historically face higher rates of occupational injuries and illnesses,” noted Matt Jones, Alberta’s Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade. “It’s vital that they not only gain valuable work experience but do so within safe and healthy environments.”
SafeGen’s courses, which are free for schools across Alberta, can be accessed both in-class and online. These programs play a critical role in reducing work-related injuries and illnesses, making youth work placements more attractive to employers and schools.
In the previous year, the program saw significant engagement, with nearly 8,200 students completing over 11,000 SafeGen courses. This training is instrumental in fostering safe work habits and enhancing understanding of workplace safety.
“Safety should be the first lesson for every student,” said Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Advanced Education. The grant, according to Sawhney, ensures that young Albertans have “a positive and valuable experience in their off-campus education.”
Andy Neigel, President and CEO of CAREERS, expressed that the funding will support their mission of guiding youth into successful careers while emphasizing their safety. “This grant enables us to further support our teacher partners across Alberta, preparing students for a safe start to their careers,” Neigel explained.
In addition to this program-specific funding, the Alberta government’s 2024 budget has allocated $68 million for education and enforcement of occupational health and safety laws, with a focus on preventing common injuries and protecting high-risk workers, including young individuals.
Among the services offered by SafeGen are three accredited high school courses on various safety practices and an online course focusing on mental health in the workplace. In 2023, SafeGen reported 11,137 successful course completions by 8,180 students, underscoring its extensive reach and impact.