The release has been issued jointly by the PEI Department of Environment, Labour and Justice and the Workers Compensation Board.

An interest in workplace safety  issues and a talent for video production have led two Charlottetown high school students to win the It's Your Job Young Worker's Video Contest for Prince Edward Island, Environment, Labour and Justice Minister Janice Sherry says.

"Colonel Gray High School students Dane Cutcliffe  and Alex MacKay have produced an excellent video urging young people to work safely and avoid injuries," said Minister Sherry.

The video contest challenged provincial and territorial high school students, as well as youth aged 18-24 across Canada, to create a video capturing the importance of workplace safety and employment standards. The Prince Edward Island young video makers have won a $1,000 prize and $1,000 for their school, and are entered into a national contest.

"I thought this was a great chance for us. We'd been making videos and I knew we could do this well," said Dane Cutcliffe.

"A lot of our friends are working now and it was great to be able to work with them. I think the main thing is to use common sense," said Alex MacKay. "People should know what the dangers are and they should follow procedures. The rules are there for a reason."

The top videos, including the Colonel Gray entry, are also entered in a national Fan Favourite contest to win an additional $1000.  Islanders are encouraged to help Cutcliffe and MacKay spread their important safety message by voting for them as the Fan Favourite. To do so, sign in to Youtube on the It's Your Job contest page and Like the Prince Edward Island video, “Youth Workplace Safety: It's Your Responsibility.”  Voting is open May 5-12, 2013. 

"The video contest is a great way to get young people thinking about safety and talking about workplace rights and responsibilities in their own terms," said Nancy Guptill, Workers Compensation Board Chair. "Our goal is to help youth build the knowledge and skills to keep each other safe."

This video contest is part of a national initiative of Labour Ministers from across Canada, to promote safety and rights for young workers. The PEI contest is sponsored by the Department of Environment, Labour, and Justice in partnership with the Workers Compensation Board.

WCB Chair Nancy Guptill (lt) and Minister Janice Sherry (rt) present the $1000 prize to the Prince Edward Island contest winners, Dane Cutcliffe (2^nd left) and Alex MacKay.

It’s Your job video contest participants, Dane Cutcliffe ( left) and Alex MacKay (right) show WCB Chair Nancy Guptill (2^nd left) and Minster Janice Sherry their winning entry.