As Career Safety Education Expands and Updates, New Workers Prepare for Their Future

​For a new worker in Saskatchewan, the first days of employment can feel overwhelming.

​Though a new career is often a positive experience, those first days can be considered challenging, confusing, or even downright frightening for some. This might be because many new workers feel pressure as they are eager to contribute, be seen as useful, and sense belonging. For these new workers who are enthusiastically looking to prove themselves on their first days, valuable safety information could be missed, as they may often be distracted by trying their best to ‘fit in’ or ‘look the part’. ​

It is understandable for anyone working in a new professional setting for the first time to deal with fears involving doing the job incorrectly, fitting in socially, or having trouble understanding terms and concepts as they relate to their new work environment. Even for an experienced worker who is now comfortable at their job, learning a new task or responsibility can excite these same feelings. In other words, the prevailing fear that comes with starting a new job might be simply called the ‘jitters’, a fear of ‘messing up’, or ‘letting co-workers down’.

​These strong feelings are common and to be expected as new workers begin their jobs in Saskatchewan. However, the significance of these realities is great. New workers struggling with these distractions are at higher risk of missing important training on safe practices, new environments, or dangerous equipment. These distracted, fearful attitudes lend themselves to terrible outcomes, as preventable workplace injuries and fatalities continue to happen to those who are not properly oriented to their new environment.

New workers will have enough personal stress to focus on during their first days on the job, which is why providing safety training early, at the first opportunity, or even prior to starting a new job is not only helpful, but also necessary. Such an early education helps form a foundation of safe thinking that reduces the likelihood of a preventable workplace injury, or worse.

The Saskatchewan Safety Council recognizes that for young people anxious to begin their career in Saskatchewan, a gap in training exists between leaving the education system and entering the workforces. This is why the Council has worked together with several other industry partners to provide a solution. That solution is called Career Safety Education. 

“Career Safety Education”, is a completely free online series of workplace safety training programs that build a foundation of knowledge for any new worker by increasing the participants' awareness of hazards and providing a baseline understanding of how to manage the risks present in a broad variety of industries. Career Safety Education continues to grow, as more Saskatchewan organizations recognize and support this program. 

As an Employer, recognizing an applicant or a new hire that has completed Career Safety Education is an indication of the value placed on having new workers who have committed themselves to learning safe practices.

As an Educator, encouraging students to participate in Career Safety Education so that they may make a safe transition and entry to the workforce shows that appreciation for this critical stage in a young person's life. 
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As a Parent, recommending Career Safety Education is a clear indicator that safety and awareness are paramount as youth explore possible career paths.

Business can show support for the program by becoming a sponsor and advocating for its use.

As Career Safety Education improves and expands, Saskatchewan communities can rest assured knowing quality resources have been put forward to ensure new workers have the resources they need to begin their careers safely.

Explore Career Safety Education:
https://www.sasksafety.org/career-safety-education.html

Consider Sponsoring the Saskatchewan Safey Council:
https://www.sasksafety.org/sponsorship-support-levels.html