Scholarship candidates were asked to write an essay or design a poster explaining how work can be made safe for new and young workers.

Bryn Harmsen, a graduate of Chesley District High School explained how "training is essential for the safe execution of any duty in the workplace& Training is invaluable, and a lack of training is inexcusable."

Jarret Heath from Manitouwadge High School touched on training and asking questions. "It doesn't matter if you're 16 or 45, you're still an employee and you have the right to ask your employer about safety. Ask them what the safety guidelines are and if there is safety training you can take."

Carlee Pepin, graduate of O'Gorman High School in South Porcupine wrote about the need for new workers to ask questions of employers and supervisors. "As a young worker myself, I feel that we must take responsibility as well when entering the workplace. It is our responsibility to ask questions when needed, rather than simply making an assumption."

Hashim Shah,a graduate of Governor Simcoe Secondary School in St. Catharines wrote "like other new and inexperienced workers, young workers can be injured on the job when they don't receive adequate safety training and supervision."

Jordon Crooks, a graduate of Ajax High School, focused on training and its importance in his poster submission. In the design he posed the question, "When can you start?" His simple answer is something many here in Ontario hope will become law - "As soon as you train me."

Brianna Bennie, a graduate of Cobourg District Collegiate Institute East, used her poster to explain to employers what they must do to ensure the health and well-being of new workers. For instance, she explained to employers they must "insist that your employees ask questions when they are unsure and answer all questions thoroughly." She also explained for them not to "assign jobs that are risky or hazardous."

Lindsay Wright, a graduate of Clarington Central Secondary School designed a poster with a number of elements, though the key was the colour and word coding designed into a stoplight. Red and the word stop. Yellow and the word ask. Green and the word work.

Kevin Schaeken, graduate of Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School in Glencoe asked a simple question, "What is more important? Work or Life." His image shows a young worker making the decision to refuse unsafe work.

This annual scholarship opportunity was open to students residing in Ontario entering their first year of full-time or part-time studies leading to a diploma, certificate or degree at any publicly-funded Ontario College or University. Each successful candidate received $1,000 to help offset the growing cost of post-secondary education. This scholarship initiative is funded with proceeds from the annual Cliff Pilkey/Workers Centre Invitational Golf Tournament.

Want to meet the 2009 winners?