New site will have OHS resources for electrician, plumbing and carpentry apprentices
WorkSafeBC is launching an apprenticeship portal aimed at getting health and safety resources to apprentices and those working in the trades.
“We needed to find a way to ensure that everyone involved with apprentices would have a single source they could go to for the most current, up-to-date health and safety resources,” said Trudi Rondou, WorkSafeBC manager of young and new worker programs. “With more than 2,000 youth apprentices in B.C., the portal is a response to that need.”
The carpentry, electrician, and plumbing trades are currently represented on the site, with a plan to include the professional cook and automotive service technician trades in the near future. Teachers, students, employers, and apprentices can instantly access health and safety regulations, guidelines, videos, publications, articles, posters and safety meeting guides.
"Student safety in our programs and in the workforce is our number one priority,” said Rod Goy, dean of the School of Construction and the Environment at BCIT. “Alongside WorkSafeBC and the Industry Training Authority, we want to make sure we are providing industry in B.C. with workers who know the correct safety procedures so they can have long, healthy, safe careers and pass this knowledge on to future apprentices. This web portal is another very valuable tool to help students locate the health and safety resources they need.”
The Industry Training Authority (ITA) is a Crown agency responsible for setting standards and providing oversight of the province’s apprenticeship system.
"The very first requirement employers have of any new apprentice is a sound understanding of workplace safety,” said Kevin Evans, CEO of the ITA. “This new resource will enhance employability in addition to making for safer workplaces.”
The site is located at: http://www2.worksafebc.com/Topics/Apprenticeships/Home.asp.
