Whenever the employment of student workers as learners at wages lower than the minimum wage applicable under RCW 49.46.020 is believed necessary to prevent curtailment of opportunities for employment in a specified educational institution, applications for special certificates authorizing the employment of such student workers as learners at subminimum wage rates may be filed by an appropriate official of the educational institution with the director, supervisor, or duly authorized representative of the wage and hour division of the department of labor and industries on official forms furnished by the department.