Provincial and federal labour ministers have jointly launched a national video contest that builds on Manitoba’s SAFE Schools Grant program to help educate students about the importance of workplace safety and health. Family Services and Labour Minister Jennifer Howard made this announcement after a meeting of federal, provincial and territorial labour ministers wrapped up this week.
“I was thrilled to be able to share stories of the success we’ve had with Manitoba’s SAFE Schools grant program with my colleagues from across Canada,” said Howard. “Our young people have seen their ideas for safer work places shared with other students, employers and labour officials. It is very gratifying to see that other students across the country will soon have this opportunity as well.”
The new national social media contest, It’s Your Job!, is intended to challenge young people, 18 to 24 years of age, to create videos demonstrating the importance of workplace safety and rights, Howard said. The winning projects will be entered in an international film festival in Germany.
This is the second year for the SAFE Schools Grant program in Manitoba. Ten grants of $2,000 each are available to 10 high schools that submit applications for projects that raise awareness of safety and health among youth. Examples of successful projects from 2011-12 include videos, board games and calendars. Details on the 2012-13 SAFE Schools grant initiative were delivered to all Manitoba high schools earlier this year and schools are invited to submit project ideas or completed projects by Oct. 31.
While there has been notable success in reducing workplace injuries in Manitoba, young workers remain among the most vulnerable to get hurt at work, the minister added.
In consultation with the Safe Workers of Tomorrow Safety Centre, the Minister’s Advisory Council on Workplace Safety and Health evaluates proposals and selects 10 successful projects. Completed projects may be displayed during the 2013 Day of Mourning event and may be profiled on the SAFE Manitoba website.
More information on Manitoba’s SAFE Schools Grant program and the national social media contest is available at www.safemanitoba.com/2000ways.aspx.
