Hiring summer students can be such an important part of teaching people in our communities skills and giving them experience they may not get elsewhere. It also opens the potential for future talent pools and brings fresh perspectives to your organization.
Here are some benefits of hiring summer students:
- Skill development: Students can gain practical experience and valuable skills that could help them in future careers.
- Increased productivity: Students can be more willing to learn and work hard, increasing productivity and efficiency.
- Diversity and inclusion: You can provide opportunities to students of various backgrounds.
- Cost effective: Hiring summer students provides a great opportunity within your communities at fair wage.
What are good practices when hiring summer students?
- Be open to understanding that every student applying may have different skill levels.
- Help find the position that best suits each student, to provide real life experience. For example, someone studying agriculture in school may be best suited working in that area.
- Ensure criminal record checks, vulnerable sector checks, and driver abstracts are obtained prior to employment.
- Create a performance objective plan for the students, so they have attainable goals during their employment. Ensure the plan is clear, but also enticing and rewarding so they enjoy the tasks they are learning. A great example of this could be a workplace bingo consisting of tasks and learning objectives. As they complete tasks or learn new skills, they can collect stamps. Students who complete the full bingo board receive a prize, for example, getting lunch with the CAO or someone who can help talk about their future and motivate them to be successful.
What can you do to make their work experience as impactful as possible?
- Create a work buddy system. Put students with experienced full-time or seasonal workers who can teach them the ropes. This will also show them a positive work environment and inclusiveness.
- Teach students essential skills they can use at any career they choose, like creative problem solving, how to develop your network, and how to work in a collaborative environment.
- Teach students how the public service sector operates and the importance of working in this sector.
- Provide a healthy and safe work environment.
- Be responsive if a concern if brought up. Students may notice a risk in your operations that was previously overlooked. Students may be more in tune with identifying hazards that other employees may have become complacent towards.
What risk management steps can you take with summer students?
- Provide comprehensive health and safety training.
- Provide adequate training and supervision in their role.
- Follow any safety precautions that are required for the tasks they will be performing.
- Provide regular communication to address any concerns or issues promptly.
- Have a system in place for documentation if concerns are brought to your attention.
- Have a clear termination policy.
- Ensure you are following all legal compliance requirements.
Driving Municipal Vehicles
In general, students may be allowed to drive municipal vehicles provided they meet the following criteria:
- Valid driver’s licence: The student must hold a valid and appropriate class of driver’s licence for the vehicle they are operating.
- Driver abstract review: It is recommended that the municipality obtain and review the student’s driver abstract prior to granting access to any municipal vehicle.
- Supervision and training: Students should be given a clear orientation on municipal vehicle use policies, expectations, and safety procedures.
- Permitted use: Vehicle use should be limited to municipal business only. Personal or off-duty use should not be permitted.
Does insurance cover summer students?
As with any employee, your insurance policies extend to summer students. Your policy would respond to defend your municipality, county or town, should it be named in a claim, subject of course to the terms, conditions, deductibles, warranties, exclusions, and extensions of the policy.
Hiring summer students can also remind long-term staff how to have fun at work or teach them skills that they may have forgotten over time. It is a great opportunity for your staff to be involved and feel more included during the busy summer months. Summer students can also provide relief for staff who may be feeling overwhelmed with some of the day-to-day tasks and allow them to work on that work project they have been putting off for some time.
Have a safe and fun summer! If you have any questions or concerns that RMA can assist you with regarding your summer students, please contact us at risk@rmainsurance.com.