Workers Health & Safety Centre

WHSC awards seven post-secondary scholarships to inspiring students

The winners of the 2024 Workers Health & Safety Centre (WHSC) Student Scholarship Contest
Research tells us being new to work raises the likelihood of injury. Many students who applied for a 2024 WHSC student scholarship tell us training is key to prevention.
 
The Workers Health & Safety Centre (WHSC) Annual Student Scholarship Contest, now in its 22nd year, is designed to help raise awareness about workplace health and safety among students pursuing post-secondary education. A key part of the application process is to submit an essay. This year we asked applicants to share their understanding of hard-won workers’ rights to safe and healthy work, along with any workplace experience they or someone they know had relating to the absence of safe and healthy work.
 
In addition to the essay requirement, scholarship candidates were asked to share their contributions to the quality of life in their school and community, both in their own words and in a letter of recommendation from an educator or representative of a community organization. The combination of the two application elements determined five $1,000 awards along with a top award of $5,000 and a second-place winner receiving $3,000. WHSC established the top awards in honour of Clifford Pilkey, WHSC’s founder, long-time board member, and former president of the Ontario Federation of Labour, plus former president of the Ontario Public Services Employees Union, social justice leader, and long-time WHSC board member, Fred Upshaw.

Students recognize need for training

Luka Parikh, recipient of the Clifford Pilkey Scholarship and graduate of Appleby College in Mississauga, shared his experience with being new to work and what can happen when employers fail to meet their obligation to provide information, instruction and supervision to a worker to protect their health or safety. On his first day at a fruit and vegetable market, he was asked to use a corn husking machine and suffered a cut that required a visit to a hospital emergency department and stitches. “I realize that receiving more comprehensive training on this machine could have prevented this injury, along with instructions on the types of gloves to use.”
 
The essay submitted by Fred Upshaw Scholarship recipient Dev Katyal, graduate of Earl of March Secondary School in Kanata, also highlights the need for employers to meet their significant obligations to ensure workers receive adequate training. Working as a camp counselor, one of the children in Dev’s care suffered a severe cut. He explained “We panicked, scrambling to find a first aid kit and unsure how to manage the emergency, highlighting the crucial need for proper training and certification (First Aid).” Businesses covered by Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Act are required to have first aid equipment, facilities and trained personnel in all workplaces.
 
Five additional worthy candidates were also awarded scholarships, including:

Adam Dawson, graduate of E.L. Crossley Secondary School in Pelham
Brayden Alexander, graduate of East Northumberland Secondary School in Brighton
Ellen Ye, graduate of Oakridge Secondary School in London
Nevethiga Surenthiran, graduate of Harold M. Brathwaite Secondary School in Brampton, and
Olivia Gillespie, graduate of Eden High School in St. Catharines.

WHSC applauds all scholarship candidates

“None of the lived experiences, including injuries, shared by the scholarship candidates are uncommon,” says Andrew Mudge, executive director, WHSC. “Workers, young and old, face unsafe and unhealthy working conditions every day. Though I take great satisfaction in knowing these young people now understand their right to safer, healthier work.”
 
“I am especially impressed with the various co-curricular efforts of all scholarship candidates within their school and the broader community,” adds Mudge. “Their volunteerism offers important leading and learning opportunities but, equally important, helps achieve critical outcomes for the host organization and the people and purpose they serve.” 
 
Please note: No portion of WHSC revenues or government grants support this scholarship contest. WHSC contributions are financed solely through funds raised at the annual Clifford Pilkey Memorial Golf Fundraiser. 

This annual scholarship contest is open to Ontario high school students entering full-time or part-time studies at a publicly funded Ontario post-secondary institution. Please keep an eye out for details of the 2025 scholarship contest to be posted online and promoted through various WHSC media channels in early 2025.
 
Meet the 2024 WHSC Student Scholarship winners.
 
WHSC role in support of safer work and learning spaces
Ontario’s official government-designated training centre, WHSC delivers hazard-based, prevention-focused training to workplaces in all sectors of the economy. Some of these programs are legally mandated including Certification training for joint health & safety committee members, workplace violence and harassment, supervisor awareness and competency, worker awareness, GHS-WHMIS and working at heights.
 
Further, WHSC offers an extensive collection of information resources including a number aimed at students and other new and young workers.

Need more information?
Contact a WHSC training services representative in your area.
Email: contactus@whsc.on.ca
Visit: whsc.on.ca
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