SHSM

January 25th, 2010

Specialist High Skills Major

The Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program – a part of the Ministry of Education’s Student Success initiative – offers specialized learning opportunities and certifications in specific economic sectors while meeting the requirements for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). A SHSM enables students to gain sector-identified preparatory skills and knowledge and to make informed career decisions. Courtice is proud to offer the Specialist High Skills Major program in our school in two sectors: the Arts and the Environment. The SHSM program has a number of required components that are designed to allow students to pursue post-secondary opportunities in all viable post-secondary destinations (apprenticeship training, college, university or the workplace) in a particular sector. Successful completion of a SHSM is denoted on the student’s OSSD by a red seal and is recognized on the Ontario Student Transcript.  

 SHSM Program Components

1.  Bundle Credits:  Each SHSM program offers a bundle of 9-11 credits including:

 - 4 “major” credits in the identified sector in Grade 11 and 12

 - 2 to 4 other required credits in English, math or science that will be offered in the context of that sector

 - 2 cooperative education credits linked to the “major” credits.

2.  Sector-Recognized Certifications/Training:  These are related to the major and include both generic and specific programs (ie.  WHMIS, First Aid, CPR, Global Positioning System training).

3.  Experiential Learning Activities:  These may include the following:

 - job shadowing, job twinning, work experience

 - field trips, trade shows, conferences, job fairs and other related activities that allow students to explore careers realted to that sector.

4.  Reach Ahead Experiences:  These are connected to the student’s post-secondary pathway and range from a few hours to full courses.  One example is visiting a college to investigate a program in the chosen sector.

5.  Development of Essential Skills and Work Habits:  Studentws will use the Ontario Skills Passport to document demonstration of foundational skills required for life, learning and work.