Education and learning

Education and learning shapes a young person's ability to perceive and manage risks. It is an opportunity to prepare young people for the workforce by providing them with the knowledge and skills to effectively manage risks that arise at work. Consider the following questions to better prepare young for transition to work:

  • What capability do young workers require to be safe at work?
  • How can work health and safety risk management be incorporated into existing education and training programs?
  • How can structured work experience develop young peoples' work health and safety capability?

Capability

Risk management is an important capability for all workers, not just young workers. Risk management skills are developed through formal and informal training, experience, feedback and reflection. Young people should be exposed to the risk management process during their education so that they are prepared when they start work.

There are a number of ways that young workers can develop their capability in applying the risk management process - from conversations with their parents when starting their first job, through to formal risk management training. By improving the capability of young workers to manage health and safety risks, young workers will be more likely to:

  • perceive when a situation may be dangerous
  • avoid taking risks
  • develop ideas about ways to work more safely
  • participate in or engage with work health and safety processes and procedures
  • support a culture that prioritises safety.

Education and training program

The current generation of young people are the most formally educated generation ever, with increased year 12 completion rates and access to an increasing range of education pathways. These education and training programs provide an opportunity to embed work health and safety risk management skills and make an early contribution to supporting young people to stay safe when they begin work.

Education and training programs may include:

  • school curriculum and teaching plans
  • vocational education and training courses (for example certificates and diplomas)
  • apprenticeships and traineeships
  • university programs.

Work experience

Structured work experience gives young people an insight into a real workplace. It is a valuable opportunity for young people to apply the skills and knowledge they have developed throughout their education to practical work tasks, while being supervised and guided by an industry professional.

Work experience provides young people with an insight into different jobs, which can help them plan their career. It also provides a valuable early understanding of workplace systems, processes, tasks and expectations - including those related to work health and safety. This can help young people to recognise that health and safety is important, particularly if the workplace has effective safety leaders and a strong health and safety culture.

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