Summer Student Learners for the Asphalt Industry are students aged 16 and 17 who are employed in the asphalt pavement industry for a summer learning experience. It is incorrect to assume that minors aged 16 and 17 may not work in construction. There are restrictions, but the restrictions largely do not apply in the asphalt industry provided employers obtain an employment certificate from the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI).
What’s in it for students?
|
Transferable skills. Asphalt pavement is an engineered product that is tricky to make and place. Aggregates must be proportioned perfectly and mixed with the correct grade of asphalt binder, then transported to a project site and placed and compacted before the asphalt mixture cools too much. Asphalt pavement is also an essential product – it is the backbone of our economy and way of life since everything rides on our roads.
An owner (e.g., city, county, company) that needs asphalt pavement will ask for bids or proposals from asphalt companies. Companies analyze engineered designs, calculate quantities, develop schedules, develop mixtures, form project teams, organize subcontractors, perform quality control in laboratories, communicate with the community, and produce and place the asphalt mixture according to strict standards and tight timelines. Every aspect of the industry requires skills that are valuable in every industry – workers must be reliable, understand math (from addition to statistics), communicate, have an entrepreneurial mindset, be adaptable, work safely, and more. Many high school students graduate or leave school with little to no real-world experience. Participating in the Summer Student Learner Program for the Asphalt Industry will set any student apart from many of his or her peers. The Program is not only for students looking to advance in paving, engineers of all types benefit from understanding how materials are designed, produced, and used, and business professionals of all types benefit from the skills utilized in the asphalt industry. |
What’s in it for asphalt industry employers
Exposure to students at an age when they are first thinking about career options. The percentage of high school students that have thought about the asphalt industry is nearly zero. The industry offers family-wage jobs and provides valuable life and career skills, yet students have no exposure to it. The industry is also losing workers to retirement while modern equipment requires technologically skilled operators. The Program provides exposure and a pathway into the industry where both the student and the employer can assess whether the student should pursue a career in the industry.
|
What’s in it for schools
Students will learn how the subjects they are studying in school get applied in the real world. Career Technical Education (CTE) programs improve the likelihood students will graduate in part because some students need to see how they will use what they are being taught in the future, CTE classes often provide the connection between education and the real world. Actual experience in an employment situation can provide the same result – and the typical Summer Student Learner experience will require students to apply classroom lessons in the real world. The experience can provide a link that many students are lacking, which will result in a more engaged student.
|
How does the process work?
Asphalt industry employers must obtain a BOLI certificate to employ minors (students aged 16 and 17). Certificates expire annually and are based on detailed descriptions of work duties. Other employment aspects are the same as for employing adults – the students perform duties under normal supervision and after receiving any necessary training, are paid an agreed rate that must be at least the minimum wage. Summer Student Learners legally employed are considered just like an adult employee for the purposes of Workers Compensation Insurance (ORS 656.132).
It’s recommended that mutual expectations be set forth in writing (a sample Summer Student Learner Agreement is HERE).
What restrictions apply?
Summer Student Learners must be at least 16 years old and may not work more than 44 hours in any week. Federal law also prohibits:
See Child Labor Bulletin No. 101 and BOLI’s Summary of Child Labor Laws for detailed prohibited occupation descriptions.
Federal child labor law uses similar “student-learner” terminology for programs under which minor students may work in occupations or perform functions that are otherwise considered hazardous and prohibited. The prohibited occupations and functions do not typically fall within the work performed in the asphalt industry. Accordingly, the information provided on this webpage should not be confused with the federal student-learner terminology and the federal student-learner requirements are inapplicable unless an employer intends to have a minor perform duties beyond what is described on this webpage.
What are the steps for employers?
Step 1: Prepare a plan to employ Summer Student Learners in the Asphalt Industry. The plan should describe how Summer Student Learners will:
Step 3: Complete the online Employment Certificate Application using information from Steps 1 and 2.
Step 4: Prepare a process for prospective Summer Student Learners to apply. In many cases the Summer Student Learner experience will be a student’s first employment experience. Employers should provide a simple process that includes information on how prospective Summer Student Learners can contact someone within the company to answer questions and help with the process.
Step 5: After receiving an Employment Certificate and deciding to offer employment to a prospective Summer Student Learner, we recommend discussing and executing a contract that describes the expectations. A sample contract is HERE. Although not required, a contract is beneficial because it ensures that expectations are aligned and provides an opportunity to ensure that Summer Student Learners’ parents are aware and committed to the process.
Step 6: Post the Employment Certificate in a conspicuous place. Review the prohibited occupations and activities with all supervisors under which the Summer Student Learner will be working. Ensure that all supervisors have read and understand the Employment Certificate and, if applicable, the Summer Student Learner contract. Periodically over the summer confirm that the employment relationship is productive for both the employer and the Summer Student Learner, and make any necessary adjustments.
What are the steps for prospective Summer Student Learners?
Review the Asphalt Pavement Association of Oregon Member Directory and contact members located in the area where you are interested in working. If attempting to contact members directly is unsuccessful, email [email protected] and [email protected].
Then get ready to develop transferable skills and make money!
Asphalt industry employers must obtain a BOLI certificate to employ minors (students aged 16 and 17). Certificates expire annually and are based on detailed descriptions of work duties. Other employment aspects are the same as for employing adults – the students perform duties under normal supervision and after receiving any necessary training, are paid an agreed rate that must be at least the minimum wage. Summer Student Learners legally employed are considered just like an adult employee for the purposes of Workers Compensation Insurance (ORS 656.132).
It’s recommended that mutual expectations be set forth in writing (a sample Summer Student Learner Agreement is HERE).
What restrictions apply?
Summer Student Learners must be at least 16 years old and may not work more than 44 hours in any week. Federal law also prohibits:
- Occupations involving explosives
- Driving as part of work duties (driving to and from work is allowed)
- Coal mining
- Logging and sawmill operations
- Power-driven woodworking machine operation
- Power-driven hoisting apparatus occupations (e.g., fork-lift, man-lift, crane operation)
- Power-driven metal working machine operation (some machine tools are allowed, see the linked guidance)
- Mining operations
- Slaughtering or meat processing activities
- Power-driven bakery machine operation
- Power-driven paper product machine operation
- Brick and tile manufacturing
- Power saw and shear operation
- Wrecking, demolition and shipbreaking
- Roofing
- Work in and around trenches exceeding 4 feet in depth
- Messenger services
See Child Labor Bulletin No. 101 and BOLI’s Summary of Child Labor Laws for detailed prohibited occupation descriptions.
Federal child labor law uses similar “student-learner” terminology for programs under which minor students may work in occupations or perform functions that are otherwise considered hazardous and prohibited. The prohibited occupations and functions do not typically fall within the work performed in the asphalt industry. Accordingly, the information provided on this webpage should not be confused with the federal student-learner terminology and the federal student-learner requirements are inapplicable unless an employer intends to have a minor perform duties beyond what is described on this webpage.
What are the steps for employers?
Step 1: Prepare a plan to employ Summer Student Learners in the Asphalt Industry. The plan should describe how Summer Student Learners will:
- be trained before performing duties requiring training,
- be supervised and mentored,
- exposed to different aspects of the industry with the primary goal of helping them develop skills through work,
- be provided regular feedback on their performance, and
- be provided with opportunities for advancement if applicable.
Step 3: Complete the online Employment Certificate Application using information from Steps 1 and 2.
Step 4: Prepare a process for prospective Summer Student Learners to apply. In many cases the Summer Student Learner experience will be a student’s first employment experience. Employers should provide a simple process that includes information on how prospective Summer Student Learners can contact someone within the company to answer questions and help with the process.
Step 5: After receiving an Employment Certificate and deciding to offer employment to a prospective Summer Student Learner, we recommend discussing and executing a contract that describes the expectations. A sample contract is HERE. Although not required, a contract is beneficial because it ensures that expectations are aligned and provides an opportunity to ensure that Summer Student Learners’ parents are aware and committed to the process.
Step 6: Post the Employment Certificate in a conspicuous place. Review the prohibited occupations and activities with all supervisors under which the Summer Student Learner will be working. Ensure that all supervisors have read and understand the Employment Certificate and, if applicable, the Summer Student Learner contract. Periodically over the summer confirm that the employment relationship is productive for both the employer and the Summer Student Learner, and make any necessary adjustments.
What are the steps for prospective Summer Student Learners?
Review the Asphalt Pavement Association of Oregon Member Directory and contact members located in the area where you are interested in working. If attempting to contact members directly is unsuccessful, email [email protected] and [email protected].
Then get ready to develop transferable skills and make money!