Does the School-to-Work program protect teens from work-related injury

The School-To-Work Opportunities Act (STWOA) was passed to support high school youth in transitioning from school to career-focused work. In 2004, 71.8% of public high schools offered work-based learning programs for credit. STW programs provide the promise of creating a well-trained workforce; however, there needs to be an assurance that this workforce is trained in occupational safety and health in addition to their job duties. Since the inception of the Act, limited research has been conducted to assess occupational safety and health in STW programs.

A comprehensive questionnaire was administered to 8,085 high school students in Wisconsin.

Among the 6,810 students responding to the questionnaire; 514 (7.5%) reported being enrolled in the STW program. Compared to other working students, (n=3,027), STW students were statistically more likely to be injured at work (23.8% vs. 13.9%, p<0.001); have more severe injuries (42.7% vs. 26.8%; p=0.0014); and file a workers' compensation claim (28.4% vs. 16.5%; p=0.0053). When asked about safety training, STW students were significantly more likely to report receiving safety training compared to other working students (71.3% vs. 64.2%; p=0.0021).

This study is the first to assess the relationship between occupational safety and health and the STW program. Since the STW program is based on apprenticeship and job shadowing, we might expect that it is successful in reducing work-related injury; however, a disproportionate percentage of teens in the STW program are being severely injured. A much better understanding about the role of safety training in the STW program is needed.