Yellowknife (Sep 10/03) - For the first time in the North, Yellowknife Catholic Schools will make it mandatory for Grade 8 students to complete a safety and young workers program.

The partnership between the Workers' Compensation Board and Yellowknife Catholic Schools was officially recognized Friday, at the site of the soon to be completed Career and Technical Centre.

"YCS is committed to ensuring that their students receive the best safety training, and the WCB is able to offer that training," said Kern Von Hagen, superintendent of Yellowknife Catholic Schools.

Currently, only a 675 square-metre cement foundation is occupying land where the centre is being built. Once constructed, however, Von Hagen explained the 12-foot high building will be host to many young people getting ready to enter the workforce.

"One of the first things you have to be concerned with when entering the workforce is safety," said Von Hagen. "We wanted to make this official."

The new centre is funded by the Workers' Compensation Board, and Penny Ballantyne, president and CEO, explained the importance of targeting the young students.

"They don't have the experience and they don't always know their rights. Being new on the job, they sometimes have a fear of asking these questions," she said.

Ballantyne added that the Northern economy will also take advantage of workers who are aware of their rights in the workplace, especially in the trades where injuries are more likely to occur.

Allyson Stroeder, coordinator for the Career and Technical Centre, feels this is a response to the students needs.

"This is an answer to the demand for skills in trades and technology." The Centre is expected to be completed by the end of November.