This initiative is supported by a creative sentencing grant from the Government of Alberta to help protect young, new, and inexperienced workers.

The purpose of this project is to equip industry with practical tools and resources to effectively integrate young and new workers into the workplace. Leveraging evidence-based research and best practices, these resources help transition young and new workers from novices to confident, independent contributors. 

This is especially important in high-risk, dynamic environments, where workers are near high energy equipment or processes which can have life-threatening consequences. The project aims to foster safer workplaces and empower the next generation of workers.

GUIDANCE VIDEO SERIES AND FACILITATION GUIDES

How to Use the Videos & Facilitation Guides

1. Watch the Videos
   Introduce your team to the videos and their practical application in workplace problem-solving.
   
   
2. Lead Team Discussions
   Use the facilitation guides to guide meaningful conversations. Help your team identify hazards and brainstorm effective solutions.
   
   
3. Apply What You’ve Learned
   Implement insights from the discussions to refine operations, improve safety and create a culture of continuous learning.

The Worker Story Video

This video honours the life of Zachary Smith, an 18-year-old worker who was fatally injured on the job. It demonstrates how this tragic event not only impacts the lives of family and friends, but an entire community.

The Worker Story Video Facilitation Guide

Guidance Video Series

These videos can be viewed in a series or as standalone videos. They target supervisors, managers, business owners, human resources and safety professionals involved in work planning, coordinating and execution of work involving young, new and inexperienced workers.

The Worker's Perspective Video Facilitation Guide

The Supervisor's Perspective Video Facilitation Guide

Competency Video Facilitation Guide

Industry Forum

Energy Safety Canada, in collaboration with the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), hosted a forum at NAIT focused on improving workplace safety for young, new and inexperienced workers.

The forum fostered meaningful dialogue on how to better prepare and protect the next generation of the workforce.

Learn more

PROTECTING YOUNG, NEW AND INEXPERIENCED WORKERS PROTECTION PROGRAM

The worker protection program will act as a guidance for employers, operational employees, safety or human resources personnel that are tasked with recruiting and onboarding employees.  The program will provide tools (methods and templates) on how to apply or integrate the messaging and techniques demonstrated in the video series to start or enhance their existing onboarding, training and competency-based programs.

Coming Soon in Fall 2026