The school year is coming to an end and many young people are beginning to look for summer jobs. It is important for Saskatchewan teens aged 14 and 15 to complete the Young Worker Readiness Certificate Course (YWRCC) before beginning work.
The YWRCC is a mandatory job readiness certificate course that teaches young workers about their rights and responsibilities in the workplace. Students learn about health, safety and employment standards. The course was first introduced in 2010 and a new, interactive online course was launched in September 2015.
“This course prepares teenagers to safely start work,” said Don Morgan, Minister of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety for Saskatchewan. “It teaches about expectations and responsibilities. Knowledge is power.”
Young workers may apply for jobs and go for interviews before completing the course. They may not start work until they have provided their employer with a copy of their Certificate of Completion. They must also provide written consent from their parent or guardian. Employers are required to keep certificates and parental consent on file.
To learn more about the Young Worker Readiness Certificate Course or to take the online course, please visit www.saskatchewan.ca/ywrcc.
Workers who are 14 or 15 years old and have completed the YWRCC need to be aware of the employment standard restrictions for 14 and 15 year olds. These restrictions are: You cannot work after 10 p.m. the night before a school day; You cannot work before classes begin on a school day; and You cannot work more than 16 hours in a school week.
During school breaks such as Christmas holidays or summer vacation, these restrictions do not apply and you can work the same hours as other employees. All other employment standards apply to you.
